A very warm welcome to Our Lady's High School
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the school in September!
This page will give you information about the school and what to expect when you start here. There is lots more information on our main website.
If you want to find out even more about the school - click here for our main website
If you would like to request a visit, tour or meeting about your move - click here:
Are you, or a friend, looking for a school for this September - click here to apply:
Does your primary school come to our taster days? Click here to find out more:
What happens next?
Offers have been made.
Our Lady's High School Introductory Pack will be sent out after Easter holidays 2021
Each family will be invited into the school to meet a member of SLT (Senior Leadership Team) This may be done virtually
All of the new students are invited to our on-line Induction Day on 1st July 2021 and will experience some lessons.
All the parents of our new students are invited to an induction meeting - this may be virtual - on the evening of the 15th July 2021
Year 7 will start their new school year with a special induction day just for them on the 7th September 2021
The whole school returns for the first day of the 2021-22 school year on the 8th September 2021
All our new parents are invited to a Year 7 Information Event (date to be confirmed)
Find out more about us
What is the day like?
Our school day starts at 8.40am - when we expect you to be on-site
The school day finishes at 3.10pm - unless you have to meet a teacher
Your parents should expect you to leave by 3.30pm unless you are attending an after-school activity
Our school day consists of 6 lessons, each of 50mins:
Registration
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Break
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lunch
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Tuesday to Thursday we offer 'Study Prep' for students to work in a quiet, supervised space to complete homework or revision and develop their independent study skills.
AM Study Prep: 7.30am to 8.30am
PM Study Prep: 3.30pm to 5.00pm
Every day life at School
It might be helpful to know what is expected of you as you move around the school and how the habits we will expect to see from you.
Peaceful, Polite and Punctual
Around the school and when we interact with each our we have three very important but simple expectations - community habits we call the 3 Ps:
Eyes, Engagement and Effort
And what do we expect in the classroom? Well we have three very simple expectations for all our learners - learning habits that we call the 3 Es:
Why is Our Lady's High School a great place for you?
What are the benefits of attending an all girls' school?
We believe that at Our Lady's we give you the best possible environment to develop, progress and thrive both academically and socially.
Girls at single-sex schools achieve better GCSE results
Alice Sullivan, director of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, at the UCL Institute of Education, in London, said: "We found that girls from single-sex schools were more likely to take male-dominated subjects such as maths and science at school. Girls who had attended single-sex schools also had slightly higher wages than their co-ed peers in mid-life."
BBC News 28 January 2016 reported that: "Girls at single-sex state schools in England get better GCSE results than those in mixed schools, according to an analysis of the most recent exams."
There is a range of research that indicates that girls not only gain better outcomes if they attend an all girls school, but also that they select different subjects and able to develop greater confidence and ambition away from the added social pressure of a co-ed environment.
Safety and Wellbeing
In more recent times, with the rise of social media and an obsessive attitude towards physical appearance and sexuality, an all girls' school provides a nurturing and safe environment.
In 2016 the House of Commons published a report about schools and the scale of sexual harassment stating that: "Widespread' sexual harassment and violence in schools must be tackled." The report outlines evidence that:
almost a third (29%) of 16-18 year old girls say they have experienced unwanted sexual touching at school
nearly three-quarters (71%) of all 16-18 year old boys and girls say they hear terms such as "slut" or "slag" used towards girls at schools on a regular basis
59% of girls and young women aged 13-21 said in 2014 that they had faced some form of sexual harassment at school or college in the past year
You can also find out more about the school from these films made by our students:
Mission Statement
Our Lady's High School enables all in our school community to achieve their highest potential and prepares our students to become compassionate and caring citizens, aware of their global responsibilities.
Our Lady’s High School is a place for learning
We achieve this by maintaining high expectations of the individual, appreciating that we are all members of a diverse community, living our Catholic faith and embracing the values of our Servite founders:
You can find out more about our Servite values here: CLICK
Underlying Principles
We are each unique individuals, created in the image of God and relationships are formed through mutual respect between all members of our community.
Our aim is to be proactive in promoting good behaviour, reminding students of our expectations and celebrating all the successes in school. Students should be very clear as to the consequences of choosing to behave inappropriately and these consequences will be applied fairly and consistently.
Our guiding expectations are that students are to be peaceful, polite and punctual at all times.
"Shaping Tomorrow, Inspired by Faith"
What does Our Lady's school uniform look like?
School Blazer
This is worn throughout the school day and to and from school, except when the Headteacher makes an exception in exceptionally hot weather.
School Trousers/Skirt
Skirt is to be knee length.
School blouse: which is blue and white. In very cold weather a plain white short sleeved T-shirt can be worn under the blouse.
School Headscarf
For those students who wish to wear a headscarf to maintain their modesty as part of their religious observance, this is available via the school ParentPay.
School bags: Bags must be large enough to carry an A4 folder without bending the corners – approx. 40cm by 30cm Bags must be robust and sensible (small handbags, shoulder bags and belt bags are not acceptable and must not be brought into school).
Shoes: Plain black, and flat-heeled shoes should be worn. They may be in a slip on, bar or lace-up style. They should be leather or leather ‘look’ in material.
The following are NOT acceptable: Kicker boots, ankle boots, sling-backs, high-heels, peep-toes, heavy industrial-type or knee-high boots, trainers, material and canvas shoes, coloured or patterned stitching, glitter, diamante, metal buckles, decorative bows, highly coloured laces, etc.
Head onto the Top Tips link at the top of the page for a step by step guide on how to order uniform.
Click Student Messages link at the top of the page to meet some of our students and read their tips and poetry about starting at Our Lady's