Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/08/210630_0203.jpg" alt="Northampton High School"/></figure>



<p>Northampton High School is an academically selective school for girls aged 2-18, with a long and illustrious heritage in the town. NHS (The High School), as it is colloquially known, was established in 1878 at the heart of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, moving to a purpose-built 27-acre site in the village of Hardingstone, a few miles down the road, in 1992.</p>



<p>Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), there are currently 563 pupils across the school, allowing class sizes to stay comfortably small. Junior School classes average 13, whilst Senior School classes reach a maximum of 24 and GCSE and A Level classes are smaller still: The Sixth Form is on a more intimate level, with a maximum of 15, although groups of 5-7 are the norm.</p>



<p>Unusual in the area for being a relative ‘new build’ school there are some major advantages in terms of its modern facilities and ethos (the late Queen didn&#8217;t go out of her way to open many schools, put it that way). The layout is designed in a figure of eight, with two spacious courtyards at the centre. The airy, bright buildings lend a calm atmosphere and a sense of cohesion and flow, whilst a lively ‘buzz‘ can be felt in the corridors.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Northampton-High-School-academics.jpg" alt="NHS class"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities">FACILITIES</h2>



<p>Ooooh plenty. Being purpose-built, everything has been considered. The Nursery School has lots of space and a warm and homely atmosphere, having been fully refurbished a couple of years back. There is also a Forest School, with a wooden shelter to facilitate outdoor learning and activities for the younger children in addition to the covered outdoor play areas beside the classrooms.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Junior-School-Music.jpg" alt="junior band"/></figure>



<p>The Junior School has its own libraries (one for Early Years/Key Stage 1 and another dedicated for Key Stage 2), art studio, music room, IT suite and science lab as well as plenty of outside space accessible from each classroom, a ‘trim trail’ with beams, balances and obstacles and a multi-use games area as well as access to all the sports and performing arts facilities in the Senior School. There are also designated Junior School Breakfast Club and After School Club spaces.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Junior-play-time.jpg" alt="Northampton High School junior play time"/></figure>



<p>Sports facilities are unparalleled – no question that sport is a strong bow in the High School armoury with a clutch of national and international athletes amongst the pupils. Worth noting that the Black Ferns, the New Zealand women&#8217;s rugby team, trained here in 2021 in advance of their match against England at Franklin&#8217;s Gardens, quite a coup. A 25 metre swimming pool, which was completely renovated in 2018, boasts upper floor overhead viewing facilities &#8211; Northampton Swimming Club uses the pool to train, as did World Record breaking Paralympian, Ellie Robinson MBE, who was coached here whilst a pupil at the school. Unsurprisingly, swimming is part of the school curriculum here from Reception with the children having weekly lessons on rotation. There is a floodlit astro, tennis courts, netball courts, extensive sports fields, squash courts, a fully equipped gym with both cardio machines and fixed weights, dance studios (yes, we’re talking plural) and an athletics track along with high jump, long jump and triple jump pits and professional cricket square. What more do you want, a slick sports pavilion? Ah, OK, there’s one of them too.</p>



<p>Plans are afoot to update the (already quite impressive) Senior School Library in the 2023 summer break. This will include new shelving, lighting, seating and display areas with a view to making it a more inviting space for the girls and improving it as a tool for independent learning and critical thinking, as well as a place to relax and unwind. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/gym-equipment.jpg" alt="Northampton High School gym equipment"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/long-jump.jpg" alt="Northampton High School long jump athletics"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/NHS-CRICKET-COACHING.jpg" alt="Northampton High School cricket coaching"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arts-amp-music">ARTS &amp; MUSIC</h2>



<p>The music and performing arts facilities are impressive to say the least, with fully-equipped recording studios, a band room and individual practice rooms in addition to a theatre space complete with backstage studio that hosts several productions a year. Pupils have the opportunity to perform, choreograph, direct, design and make sets and costumes, do hair and make-up, manage the lighting and sound and perform live music for the production. There are also numerous musical groups in the Junior and Senior Schools, when Covid isn’t interfering, including orchestra, strings, rock band, choirs and a ukulele group.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Northampton-High-School-Cats.jpg" alt="NHS Cats the musical"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/recording-studio.jpg" alt="Northampton High School recording studio"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/main-school-hall.jpg" alt="Northampton High School senior school hall"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academic-facilities">ACADEMIC FACILITIES</h2>



<p>The school boasts specialist science labs, a textiles studio and food tech rooms with individual kitchen areas, as well as two large art studios with an exhibition space and a well-equipped IT suite. There’s an impressive library, with its own full-time librarian, and for down time – yes, there is some! &#8211; there are social places for the girls to relax or study between lessons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Northampton-High-School-science.jpg" alt="NHS science labs"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/art-studio.jpg" alt="Northampton High School art studios"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/senior-school-library.jpg" alt="Northampton High School senior school library"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Food-tech-.jpg" alt="Northampton High School food tech dept"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head">THE HEAD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/11/Dr-May-Lee.jpeg" alt="Dr May Lee Head Northampton High School" class="wp-image-36255"/></figure>



<p>Dr. May Lee took the reins at the start of the 22/23 academic year and, having spent her career to date working in the girls&#8217; independent sector (St Catherine&#8217;s, Tormead and Queensgate), she is a strong advocate for the power of girls&#8217; single sex education, not least having been educated herself at Cheltenham Ladies College and achieving a PhD in Geography from King&#8217;s College London at just twenty-four. She sees girls&#8217; education as a real calling and a passion for learning and academic excellence is a clear priority. Lee&#8217;s ambition for the school and for the achievement and empowerment of the girls here is palpable. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academic-results">ACADEMIC RESULTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Senior-School-Science-experiements.jpg" alt="Northampton High School science"/></figure>



<p>Perhaps no surprise given it’s academically selective, but the figures are impressive. In 2024, at GCSE 42% of grades were A*/A and 23% of all grades are A*. A Level results are excellent too, with 45% of grades at A*/A, 18% of grades A* and 68% of grades A*-B. Each year girls are accepted into Oxbridge and leading universities, including Russell Group universities, in line with students’ huge variety of individual aspirations and tailored pathways. The array of subjects studied is dizzying. The vast majority of students are, each year, successful in securing their university places, which range from Maths, Medicine and Dentistry, to Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering; from International Relations and Political Science to Philosophy and Psychology; from Fashion Marketing, Textile Design and Illustration to Music at a London Conservatoire, Architecture at Liverpool University and Global Sustainability Development at Warwick.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Northampton-High-School-sixth-form.jpg" alt="NHS sixth form"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral-care">PASTORAL CARE</h2>



<p>It’s a basic expectation that all schools are acutely aware of the importance of happy, well-balanced children, and there’s no doubt that The High School has put in place some formidable structures to stop children falling through the cracks. </p>



<p>New to the school at the start of the 22/23 academic is the Wellbeing Hub, which has been officially named as ‘Wellbeing HQ’ after a pupil vote. It&#8217;s a dedicated space where the girls are encouraged to talk about their own wellbeing and mental health with a Wellbeing Practitioner, Nurse and Nursing Assistant in situ for the pupils to reach out to whenever needed. </p>



<p>The school has two Deputy Head Teachers &#8211; one for pastoral care and one for academics. There is also a designated Pastoral Head in the Junior School, Heads of Year in Senior School and a Pastoral Head of Sixth Form. Though The High School is undoubtedly a high-achieving school academically, the emphasis is very much on ensuring the girls feel nurtured, supported and at home, with an open communication structure between parents and staff.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extracurricular-activities">EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES</h2>



<p>Plenty to do outside the academic curriculum, with a huge variety of clubs and activities available before and after school and at lunch times during the REC (Radically Enriched Curriculum) period, from sports to board games, debating to Medical Society, Polymer Art Club and even an Equestrian Team that competes at a national level</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/02/Equestrian-team.jpg" alt="NHS equestrian team"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS</h2>



<p>Not so much a quirk as a flippin&#8217; great big benefit &#8211; when it comes to choosing GCSE and A Level options, the school will tailor the timetable to your daughter’s choices rather than her having to select from set groups, as is the case in most other schools. If she wants to study 3 languages at GCSE, she can go for it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northants/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/03/Students-with-Betty.jpg" alt="Students with Betty"/></figure>



<p>Over at the Junior school, there’s a miniature Labradoodle called Betty who plays an important role in the wellbeing of the children – the girls are encouraged to help care for her, and all get their chance for cuddles.</p>



<p>The school has also recently installed five EV charging points, four for their fleet of electric minibuses and one for staff use &#8211; working hard to ensure they keep flying that Eco School green flag and that the pupils get to see how schools can be places of positive change. Big tick. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care">WRAP AROUND CARE</h2>



<p>Excellent. Wraparound care is available from 7.30am to 6pm from Nursery to Sixth Form and breakfast is available for all children. In addition to clubs, after school activities can include using the gym facilities, or the girls might choose to attend Late Prep, which is a supervised quiet study time and runs until 5pm, after which the Senior girls can have a bit more freedom to do their own thing (read, listen to music, chat etc), but they are still supervised and safe. In the Junior School, girls can attend Late Prep, engage in structured activities in GAP (Girls at Play) Club, catch up with reading or simply play with others.</p>



<p>There are 10 bus routes to collect girls from across the county (and beyond!) plus late buses available to transport girls home after their clubs, making after school clubs accessible to more pupils.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report">ISI REPORT</h2>



<p>Northampton High School was inspected by the ISI in Feb 2024. <a href="https://www.northamptonhigh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Northampton-High-ISI-Report-March-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read the full report here</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>Very reasonable compared to other local options. Nursery: £33 – £59 per day; Junior School: from £11,421-£12,763 per annum; Senior School and Sixth Form: £16,554 per annum. Lunches are included.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<p>Locally, the school has a formidable reputation, with its high level of academic expectation, but that reputation belies the nurturing, holistic and culturally expansive experience the school offers its pupils. Parents of The High School girls that I talked to said they feel their daughters are part of a lively, enterprising community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT:</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Girls with a real passion for learning and joining in. There’s an emphasis here on getting involved in extra curricular activities. The academic provision is a big calling card in all disciplines but notably for excellence and uptake in conventionally ‘male’ STEM subjects. Membership to the GDST brings a realm of additional opportunities.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Girls who don’t have an academic appetite may struggle. Some parents (and girls) may be put off by the lack of regular interaction with the opposite sex &#8211; being part of the GDST is hugely beneficial in may ways, but it does mean that inter-school activities tend to be with other all girls schools.</p>



<p><strong>Fancy a visit? </strong>Be my guest! There&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.northamptonhigh.co.uk/admissions-open-days/open-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whole School Open Day</a> on Saturday 5 October and Friday 11 October 2024. There is also a Sixth Form Information evening on Wednesday 16 Oct 6-8pm.</p>



<p><em>Northampton High School, Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone, Northampton NN4 6UU, Tel: 01604 765765 <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="www.northamptonhigh.co.uk (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.northamptonhigh.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.northamptonhigh.co.uk</a></em></p>


Northampton High School, Northampton

You may also like