There are many things that make a school distinctive, but among the most important is how it feels to be here. At Northampton High, our students are at the heart of all we do. That conviction shapes our culture, reflects our values and underpins our success.
A school may offer excellent academic outcomes, outstanding facilities and a rich co-curricular programme, but what matters most is whether young people feel that they belong. Do they feel able to be themselves? Do they know there is someone to turn to? Do they feel recognised, respected and valued within their community? These questions sit at the heart of the annual GDST’s Undivided Student Survey. Completed by pupils from Year 5 to Year 13, the survey explores their experiences of diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all areas of school life.
I was therefore delighted to read this year’s results, which offer so much to celebrate.
An outstanding 92% of pupils said that they feel proud of their school. I think that is a wonderful result and the data tells a clear story: Northampton High is a place where every girl can find her place. There is something very powerful in that sense of pride. It speaks of connection, confidence and community. It tells us that our girls see this school as a place that matters to them; it is a place where they are growing, learning and becoming the young people they are meant to be.
Equally heartening, 92% of pupils said that students come up with creative ideas to solve problems. This feels deeply characteristic of Northampton High. Ours is a school full of curious, fearless, brave young people who are encouraged to think independently, ask questions, try new things and approach the world with a spirit of inquiry. We want our pupils not only to succeed, but to think deeply, act wisely and contribute positively to the world around them. It is heartening to see that reflected so clearly in the survey.
Another particularly encouraging result was that 85% of pupils said they feel able to perform at their best. For any school leader, that is something to treasure. Young people flourish when they feel safe, supported and known. They do their best when they feel confident enough to take intellectual risks, resilient enough to keep going and secure enough to know that they are valued for more than the outcome on a page. This result suggests that many of our pupils feel just that and I am so grateful to our staff for all they do to make this possible.
What I also find especially encouraging in this year’s outcomes is the clear sense of progress in some very important areas.
70% of pupils said they believe positive changes will be made as a result of the survey, an increase of 14% on last year. 71% said that the school listens and acts on feedback from students, up by 11%. These are significant improvements, and they matter enormously because they speak to trust. They tell us that more pupils believe that their voices are heard and that what they say can make a difference.
Student voice should never be a token gesture. It should be real, meaningful and influential. We want our pupils to know that speaking up matters, that sharing an idea, raising a concern or offering a perspective can help shape the life of the school for the better. The fact that more pupils now feel that positive change will come from the survey is, to me, one of the most heartening results of all.
What I value most about the Undivided Survey is that it reflects the principles we hold dear as a school. We want our pupils to define success and leadership on their own terms, to feel happy being who they are, to know there is always someone to talk to, and to encounter a broad range of people, perspectives and experiences. Above all, we want them to feel genuinely seen, heard and valued in every aspect of school life. These are not peripheral ideals; they are central to the education we believe in.
I would like to thank all of our pupils who completed the survey so thoughtfully and honestly. Giving feedback in this way is an act of trust, and we do not take that trust lightly. I would also like to thank our staff, whose care, commitment and daily example do so much to shape the culture of the school. The atmosphere of warmth, encouragement and aspiration that visitors often comment on does not happen by accident. It is created every day by people who care deeply about young people and who believe in the importance of helping each one to flourish.
These results mark a proud moment for Northampton High School. They show a school where pupils feel proud to belong, where creativity is valued, where fairness and inclusion matter, and where student voice is increasingly seen as a force for positive change. Most of all, they reflect a school with real heart. And that, for me, is the most important thing of all.
As we look ahead, we will continue to listen, to learn and to respond to the evolving needs of our community. Our ambition remains clear: that Northampton High should be not only a place of excellence and opportunity, but also a place where every pupil feels known, supported and valued. When a child truly feels that she belongs, extraordinary things become possible.
Dr May Lee
Head
