Walthamstow School for Girls

We are all very proud of our school and our community of students, staff, parents, careers and governors who work together to provide an outstanding learning environment.

Every one of our 900 students is valued equally as an individual with different gifts and talents, reflecting our commitment to the school motto. The school has an exceptional track record of academic excellence and of supporting students in making progress from Year 7 to 11. These achievements come through a combination of high expectations, inspirational teaching and learning experiences which equip the girls with the skills to become confident and independent learners.

We offer strong pastoral support and regular monitoring, target setting and dialogue with students and parents or careers. In terms of examination performance, the school is consistently amongst the top performing nonselective schools in the country. The girls take great pride in their school. They recognize the high quality of the education they receive and the rich programme of extra-curricular activities on offer and they enjoy being part of our community. Staff, likewise, recognize what a special place this is. Our teaching and support staff are of the highest caliber. They are well-qualified, experienced and often stay at the school for many years.

Consequently, students are taught by specialist teachers who know them well and find the environment rewarding and fulfilling. The school’s uniqueness and success has been recognized by OFSTED inspectors, who described it as: ‘an exceptional school’. Research shows that a single sex environment empowers girls to realize their potential. Our students are encouraged to express themselves, to be creative, to have high aspirations and to challenge stereotypes. There is a strongly anti-discriminatory ethos at this school.

Our responsibility is to prepare our students effectively for further education, careers and future lives. I want the young women who leave this school to have well-balanced perspectives, good interpersonal skills, a strong sense of morals and justice, and a desire to play an active part as citizens in 21st century society. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, with many races, religions, cultures and languages represented. We celebrate our diversity and welcome the opportunities it gives us to learn from each other.

Assemblies are an important opportunity for students to meet, reflect and celebrate together as a year group or larger group. They are carefully planned to be suitable for students of all faiths and none, forming a key part of the school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural education programme.