Seniors
Boys and Girls 14-16 years of age.
‘Focusing on the Future’
In the Senior school we endeavour to support students with the skills needed to achieve their academic potential whilst continuing to instil traditional values such as mutual respect, self-assurance and tolerance so that pupils develop the necessary skills for the next phase of their life.
Transition into the Senior School is often a time of great change and personal development, however, at Bowbrook the transition is a smooth one where the focus is equally placed on personal wellbeing and academic achievement. We pride ourselves on the ‘exemplary’ behaviour of our Senior School pupils who work alongside dedicated staff to ensure personal and academic progress.
This Senior School prepares pupils for a wide variety of examination at GCSE level as well as offering a small number of vocational courses. Pupils will usually take between 8 and 10 GCSE’s depending on interests and areas of strength. We continue to offer the flexibility of small class sizes and high staff ratios in all subjects which ensures that every pupil can be supported and stretched therefore achieving their potential whilst at the same time remaining within a nurturing environment.
Respect and Responsibility
Pupils within the Senior School are expected to act responsibly and behave maturely. ISI commented that that the behaviour of pupils in the Senior School was ‘exemplary’. Senior pupils may be rewarded with positions of responsibility such as Head Boy, Head Girl, Prefects, House and Games Captains. We do not underestimate the value that positive peer role models have upon our younger children and we are proud of the contribution that the Senior School pupils make to our community as they develop into young adults.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Our senior pupils are very much involved in school life outside of the classroom. Games afternoons and our alternative games curriculum off the chance to participate and improve in traditional school sports or alternative activities should they prefer. House and interschool matches give many the opportunity to represent the school in rugby, hockey, netball, football, cricket, rounders, cross-country and athletics. Both individual and team tournaments are entered to ensure our most able are stretched and given pathways for development through regional and national competitions in all of the above sports as well as a plethora of other sports such as swimming, tennis or equestrian.
All senior pupils are encouraged and given opportunities in the arts and music with peripatetic lessons in many instruments available, whole school drama productions, summer and Christmas concerts, Arts week’s and music showcases as examples. All of which provide opportunities to both develop and excel beyond the classroom.
Beyond Bowbrook
In the Senior School, pupils are involved in a nationally recognised careers programme and we work very closely with the National Citizenship Service as well as a number of local further education providers to ensure that our pupils are able to make informed choices about their future and have a clear idea as to how they can realise their longer term ambitions.
A range of post 16 choices are taken by our pupils every year to suit their ability, interests and geographical location. Common choices for further education include local Independent Sixth Forms, Worcester Sixth Form College, Heart of Worcester Sixth Form College and Hartpury College. For pupils who prefer to stay in a school environment, there is a large selection of local state and independent secondary schools from which to choose. We ensure students are fully informed about their choices and the varying establishments available to them as well as their suitability to each setting.
And Finally….
Our aim is to prepare pupils for the challenges and experiences they will face in life as well as ensuring they achieve their academic potential. We are proud that our Seniors are responsible, confident and well-rounded individuals who leave us with happy memories of our nurturing environment and the encouraging support they received. We are happy to say that many stay in regular touch and visit often.
“Pupils have decidedly positive attitudes to learning”
“The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent”
“their work shows considerable care and effort”
“GCSE results are above National Average…2019 (results) are higher than the previous three years”
“They respect and follow the school’s values of mutual respect, self-assurance and tolerance recognising that these values will help them succeed”
ISI Inspection Report 2019
