Edgbaston High School for Girls Preparatory Dept A GSG School
- Edgbaston High School for Girls Preparatory Dept
Westbourne Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3TS - Head: Mrs Sally Hartley
- T 01214 542401
- E [email protected]
- W edgbastonhigh.co.uk/
- A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 2 to 11 with a linked senior school
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Birmingham
- Pupils: 360 same
- Religion: Non-denominational
- Fees: £10,419 - £15,501 pa
- Open days: Prep in May and October
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Linked schools: Edgbaston High School for Girls
What The Good Schools Guide says..
‘It’s not just talk and chalk,’ a parent quipped, ‘they learn through engaging and doing.’ Head of academic expanded, ‘Life isn’t all about maths and English, though fundamental. We can go a long way in life if we are doing things we enjoy.’ This point was illustrated in a roomy science lab where lessons were lauded by pupils and parents as ‘amazing’. Topics include the life cycle of cereal from field to food chain to loo - oh yes, and deciphering the force required to pop a party popper. This legendary lesson begins as whole class ‘pop’ simultaneously - oh, the...
What the school says...
At Edgbaston High School for Girls Preparatory Dept we are proud of our academic successes and have a proven track record in guiding girls into the senior school of their choice and many achieve scholarships. However, the Preparatory Department also has a strong musical and sporting tradition. There are a wide range of extra curricular activities available to all pupils irrespective of their ability levels. If the girls are keen and interested then they may participate. Participation and enjoyment are the objectives! We encourage all our girls to become independent thinkers, self sufficient and considerate to each other and the wider community. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmistress
Since 2009 Sally Hartley (50s). ‘I was always going to teach,’ she asserts. Following BEd accredited by Bristol University, secured a position at Haberdashers’ Prep, Monmouth, soon broadening her experience to housemistress. We wondered if she’d applied for headteacher post here because its ethos (if not its location) was similar to Haberdashers’. ‘City location, diverse culture and early years experience offered new and exciting challenges,’ she responded, adding wistfully, ‘It’s a privilege to be involved in the development of children from two-and-a-half right through to sixth form.’
Pupils say she is ‘understanding’, ‘kind’ and ‘strict when needed’. Parents note that she is ‘visible and approachable’. She still teaches and runs classics club, wanting ‘children to see and know me’. Study is functional - no soft furnishings or personal touches - but her notice boards are crammed with pictures and cards from pupils.
Her husband, Neil, is a former PE teacher who converted to IC, ‘as he got older’. In time away from school she is a keen sports fan, enjoying cricket, Grand Prix, netball, athletics and football - regularly supporting from the Bramall Lane terraces of Sheffield United. To relax: knitting, sewing and embroidery or spending time with her two dogs - Gizzie a Yorkshire Terrier and a Candy a Pomeranian whom she adopted together from the Dog’s Trust.
Entrance
At two-and-a-half, informal classroom assessment of social and emotional 'readiness' for school alongside current pupils. From year 1, more formal assessment in maths, English and reading including opportunity to meet current pupils during morning break. Both in addition to parent meeting with head.
Exit
Perhaps surprisingly only around half continue to senior school. Head realistic about this: ‘We understand that attending from two-and-a-half girls may want a change, follow friends or a move was always the plan.’ Prep entrants generally succeed as ‘any issues would have been identified’. Rest head to local grammar, state or independent schools. A real spread across the former two though the main independent they to go to is King Edward VI High School (more academic and less pastoral by all accounts). Responding to parent grumbles that pupils are only prepared for entrance to Edgbaston senior, head stresses all exam formats are covered.
Our view
Spacious campus resides in smart suburb on the edge of Birmingham. One stop shop for two-and-a-half to 18 provides ease for families and avoids uprooting. Separate buildings create intimate, secure feel with opportunities for collaboration.
Despite bright, busy nursery complete with zoned play stations and plenty of outdoor space, Westbourne pre prep feels a little empty. Capacity only at 75 per cent in kindergarten and reception. At least one spacious classroom sits vacant but repurposed as a discovery den with weekly theme for extended learning.
Secure Early Years outdoor classroom with playhouse and woodland walk. Prep would benefit from similar resource as it has only occasional outdoor science and maths lessons. We delighted in watching an engaged reception group in navy overalls, busily manipulating lengths of half drainpipe and vertical props. Palpable tension dissolved into gambols of delight as a ball rolled successfully down the entire length. Adjacent to school, The Birmingham Botanical Gardens provide invaluable opportunity to explore and ‘huge grassy banks to roll down’. Reception swimming lessons in onsite indoor pool a boon - teachers gamely enter water to assist.
Prep building houses years 1 and 2 on ground floor, classes spilling directly onto playground. Form rooms capacious and peppered with examples of written and project work. Throughout the school we marvelled that every available patch of wall space was filled with pictures, writing and mobile creations strung across the wide airy corridors. Ascending to first floor, home of years 3 and 4, head explained that three classes are split to four in English and maths for more individualised teaching - ‘it’s about building confidence.’
‘It’s not just talk and chalk,’ a parent quipped, ‘they learn through engaging and doing.’ Head of academic expanded, ‘Life isn’t all about maths and English, though fundamental. We can go a long way in life if we are doing things we enjoy.’ This point was illustrated in a roomy science lab where lessons were lauded by pupils and parents as ‘amazing’. Teacher says her aim is to be ‘as imaginative as I can’ and with ‘as much practical work as possible.’ Topics include the life cycle of cereal from field to food chain to loo - oh yes, and deciphering the force required to pop a party popper. This legendary lesson begins as whole class ‘pop’ simultaneously - oh, the mess! Year 5 up benefit from senior school’s advanced equipment and popularity of science club sees 40 of the 56 year cohort attend to egg drop, launch parachutes and dissect (mice or pigeons).
Pupils learn French, Spanish and Latin and can join German and Mandarin clubs. Edgbaston Prep is the only school in country to receive two gold medals for top ten places in Junior Language Challenge. Two plentiful ICT suites. Older pupils use individual iPads and laptops. Younger pupils access iPads for projects and form work.
Tons of academic enrichment for individuals, teams or whole school. Head describes this as ‘creating inquisitive interest in the wider world.’ Challenge boards (currently ‘What do animals say?’) allow literal or creative interpretations. A group gushed about Medical Mavericks day (‘We took blood from a fake arm’) and William Shakespeare workshop (‘with real fight scenes’). Add rainforest roadshow, animal visits, Viking days and more.
Lockdown response applauded by parents - ‘Things that didn’t work for us were quickly reviewed and amended.’ Pastoral timetabled to socialise with classmates or ‘check in’ with teachers. New use of technology expanded learning - geography Zoom with farmer in Scotland is now a regular fixture. School events recorded and emailed if parents unable to attend.
Head of learning support (based in senior school) oversees three prep staff. Experience in speech therapy, dyslexia, autism and dyspraxia. Wherever possible support kept within classroom - ‘My daughter didn’t realise she was having supported help,’ said a parent. ‘Wave’ system if intervention needed which provides ongoing assessment and collaboration with parents and external professionals. Wheelchair access available, where limited school could adapt. A number of parents we spoke to were impressed at school’s ability to identify potential learning difficulties or physical symptoms that would benefit from assistance or assessment. ‘Not telling us what to do but offering advice and helping to manage the process.’ School nurse with physio qualification attends daily.
Enthusiastic music programme spanning senior and prep encourages ‘have a go attitude.’ Learning instruments and performance encouraged. One mum was delighted that her daughter ‘was not fazed at all. It’s more about enjoyment than a world class performance.’ Range of choirs that ‘anyone can join’, plus orchestra and ensemble groups, tea time concerts. Musician of the year a highlight.
Pupils would ‘love’ timetabled drama lessons or club. Opportunities for year groups include music department’s famed year 6 musical – at the time of our visit auditions were imminent for ‘Pirates of the Currybean’ - the merest mention brought shrieks of feverish excitement. LAMDA undertaken by majority. Natural light floods a spacious, well equipped art room; expansive window wall overlooks school terrace.
Some parents said the school was ‘really sporty’ but others told us that it does not have a ‘strong sports reputation’, adding that the extensive options are actually ‘a bit haphazard’. They do credit ‘wholehearted enthusiasm and engagement’. Main competition in gymnastics, netball and swimming. Wary parent told us netball can be a little ‘intense’ and swimming ‘elitist’, but head of sport assured they cover every base. ‘Those who want to push to achieve have scope but it’s equally important to find healthy activity for everyone, setting them up for life.’ Yoga and mindfulness timetabled to ‘enhance wellbeing.’ We spoke to a young county cricketer, delighted the school were taking her sport ‘seriously’; a weekend footballer declared that they would like to see a school team.
Usual array of lunch time and after school clubs from ballroom to karate or gardening - girls who wish to start a club are encouraged. Residential trips from year 4 up ‘more important than ever after lockdown’ according to staff - ‘children flourish when away from the norm.’ Trips and tours include PGL, netball, geography and there’s hope of reinstating annual trip to France. Wrap around care from 7.30am, breakfast optional, ends 6pm.
Head and deputy prefects voted by peers and year 6 all have responsibilities: clubs, mentoring, reading buddies, librarians. Parents praise opportunity to ‘engage with wider prep, not just their class.’ ‘It’s mutually beneficial,’ said a father. One parent commented that the school house system was ‘not that active,’ but girls disagreed, quick to tell us they took part in house sport, academics and credits.
‘Pastoral care is the biggest selling point,’ declared a parent. ‘We encourage pupils to understand the need to look after our brains just as we look after our bodies,’ explains head. Worry box, ‘courtesy counts’ award and weekly celebration assemblies are praised. ‘School keeps dialogue open, prevents issues developing, rewards good manners and celebrates achievement,’ we heard.
Yet every school has behavioural blips, so we asked children how these were handled. ‘We don’t have bullying, it’s more teasing,’ a pupil replied, ‘teachers sort it out.’ Deputy head pastoral told us they encourage peer mediation, group discussion and positive play. As a result things rarely ‘tip over.’ Parents say school ‘articulates zero tolerance policy’, issues dealt with ‘decisively and discreetly.’
Senior transition well managed from year 4, with ‘tea and talk’, taster lessons and year 13 instructed masterclasses. Head teacher advises, ‘Take the exams, go to see schools and get a feel whether it is right for your child, then you have choices. We see the senior school as the extension to prep but understand for a multiple of reasons it isn’t the answer for everyone.’ She is accepting of use of tutors: ‘We work with them where we can.’
In dining hall pupils requested ‘more vegan please’. Consensus on taste and quantity was positive. We heard that food allergies are accommodated well but another parent was unhappy with halal provision. School says take up was limited so to avoid wastage vegetarian options expanded instead. Since our visit they have reinstated a weekly halal option.
Some parents see ‘room for improvement’ in communication, citing frustration at ‘slow delivery of messages’ between school and parents. The head was concerned by these comments, stressing that her door is always open to discuss issues or concerns. ‘We want parents to come to us and know we will do our best to resolve issues and are open to options. Please come and speak to us.’
With a widely diverse community, the school is keen to sustain dialogue with parents, supporting cultural and religious customs. A parent suggested to us that PE department lacked an ‘understanding of religious modesty’, another was concerned about communal changing rooms. ‘Unfortunately cubicles present their own issues but we do have areas for more private changing,’ headmistress confirmed. Demonstrating cooperation, she explained they had recently worked with a parent to provide a more modest design for PE.
‘We are really open to tackle subjects we haven’t before’ Deputy head academic told us. No specific gender identity issues have been raised but recent questioning about sexual orientation. School response is ‘acceptance’ and ‘appropriate open discussion.’
Pupils see themselves as ‘friendly, loud, determined’. We enjoyed meeting vivacious, charming, opinionated (in the best sense) girls. Parents view them as ‘balanced’, ‘happy’, ‘singular - a wonderful mix of types, not conformers’.
Active PA hosts social fundraisers for school equipment. WhatsApp ‘really useful, even if only to rehome a stray shoe,’ a parent said. Parents a mix of business, teachers and ‘a lot’ of healthcare professionals. Pupils travel by car, public transport, minibus. Plenty of parking on site or in adjacent botanical gardens.
Money matters
Bursaries available on entry to reception and year 3.
The last word
‘Edgbaston Prep will bring out the best in your daughter,’ pronounced a parent. The balance of ‘robust academia with strong pastoral provision’ is its USP and a reason many choose it over more pressured establishments. ‘They let children develop in their own time and space with a supportive push and multiple opportunities to shine,' summed up one parent. You can’t ask for more than that.
Special Education Needs
Condition | Provision for in school |
---|---|
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
Aspergers | |
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | |
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
Dyscalculia | Y |
Dysgraphia | Y |
Dyslexia | Y |
Dyspraxia | Y |
English as an additional language (EAL) | |
Genetic | |
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
Has SEN unit or class | |
HI - Hearing Impairment | |
Hospital School | |
Mental health | |
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
PD - Physical Disability | |
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
VI - Visual Impairment |
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