Why do teachers always start with a quote? I’m not sure I can answer that, but I must confess that I am no exception to the rule! The Roman philosopher Seneca once came up with an absolute classic: ‘you are your choices.’ This powerful statement speaks to the profound influence our decisions have on our lives. Seneca’s stoic philosophy teaches that while we may not control the events that befall us, we can always choose how we respond to them. It is this capacity for conscious choice that shapes our character and, ultimately, our destiny.
True to form, as many pupils of the High School will know from my assemblies, I often say that school days are golden. A precious, fleeting period, with the choices made during these years building the foundations for a rich and rewarding adult life. This is why, as teachers at one of the top secondary schools in Northamptonshire, we must focus on the pupils in our care now, giving them the tools to make sound decisions and the support to navigate their consequences. We aim to equip them for tomorrow by focusing on kindness, flexibility, and understanding today.
This is a central part of our school’s educational philosophy. We believe that true learning goes beyond the classroom, encompassing personal development and self-awareness. We are a school focused on much more than grades, where excellent pastoral care is non-negotiable. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of open-mindedness, where young people are supported to engage with the world and learn from their mistakes. The best learners are not afraid to take risks and see failure not as a roadblock, but as a stepping stone. This can only be achieved if they feel secure in the guidance of the adults around them, who are there to help them develop their own self-reliance. This approach also allows us to offer challenges for high-achieving students and support for those who need extra help.
At our ‘Made for Girls’ school, we are proud to offer single-sex education benefits, which provide unique leadership opportunities for girls. To foster these habits of sound decision-making, we provide our pupils with numerous opportunities to make choices for themselves. In the senior school, for instance, our academic options process begins early. In Year 7 and 8, pupils make important decisions about their language and creative subjects for later years. In Year 9, they select from a wide range of subjects in our comprehensive GCSE curriculum. And we are now moving to an even freer choice of subjects, improving girls’ ability to define their own futures based on their strengths and passions.
As they move into Key Stage 5, students are given further autonomy. They choose from a wide menu of academic options and then decide which additional volunteering and stretch electives to include in their Sixth Form portfolios. This is in addition to the countless choices they make daily in their lessons and extracurricular activities. We are clear that Northampton High Sixth Form is more than just A Levels; it’s a leadership incubator. Why not visit us for our Sixth Form information evening on 16 October to find out more?
We do not, however, leave them to their own devices, we have a dedicated guidance process. We work with students to help them identify the best possible pathways, and our timetable is designed to accommodate these individual choices with flexibility. At every stage, we encourage them to reflect carefully on their choices, considering the long-term impact on their individual goals. This is also key to preparing students for life after school, including careers and financial literacy.
No stone is left unturned in our quest to ensure students make the best choices. We also know that young people need understanding and flexibility after the fact. We remain open to changes for a period of time once choices are made. To do otherwise would be a disservice to the young people we nurture, who need to know that we recognise mistakes can be made and rectified while their futures are still an open book.
As the writer R J Palaci, author of ‘Wonder’ puts it, ‘when given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.’ This simple precept reminds us that the best choices are often those guided by our character. The true measure of our lives is not in our accomplishments but in the decisions we make to be better, for ourselves and for those around us.
Searching for independent schools in Northampton? Find out why Northampton High is best for girls, from academic excellence to dedicated pastoral care, at our Open Day on 4 October.
Mr Henry Rickman
Deputy Head