Academic

A curriculum that offers a 360-degree perspective and prepares girls for the future

At Northampton High School, girls enjoy a curriculum that fosters self-awareness, encompassing intellectual, physical, and creative skills that are pivotal for future success. It is a curriculum that values individuality while developing critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative abilities, led by teaching staff who understand how and why a girl-only educational setting is best.

Across academic subject areas, girl-focused, dynamic content is offered through hands-on projects and real-world applications. Pupils engage in cross-curricular learning via our Reach programme, promoting personal growth and encouraging innovative thinking, while physical education and extracurricular activities enhance their wellbeing and teamwork abilities. 

Academic, Sport and Enrichment programmes

Our faculty system is made up of English, Mathematics and Science, Creative Arts, Humanities, Languages and Sport. Through this, expert teachers with a passion for their subjects and a track record of excellence in public exams, support pupils in an enquiry-based approach to learning, which builds on the skills developed in Junior School. 

In the GCSE years and Sixth Form, pupils build a bespoke programme including their optional subjects, which are timetabled entirely around their personal choices. Additionally they choose from a wide range of Enrichment and Elective activities which weave their way around the academic pathways and lend originality and flavour to individual learning journeys.

Reading for pleasure is embedded within the English curriculum via a stimulating programme and dedicated lesson time in Years 7 to 9. There is a clearly structured approach to comprehension skills and writing, with ambitious text choices throughout leading to excellent outcomes at IGCSE, where pupils all take both Language and Literature papers.

Science teaching emphasises understanding through practical exploration. From Year 9, science subjects are taught separately providing clear specialist focus. Within STEM more widely, mathematics and computer science are prioritised, with Further Maths available at GCSE and A Level. Computational thinking and coding is taught separately from Year 7 to 9.

Languages in Years 7 and 8 include French as a core subject to support overall linguistic skills. Additionally pupils choose Spanish or German, while Latin is complemented by Classical Civilisation for pupils who prefer the historical focus. Everyone takes a modern language to GCSE as we believe this is fundamental to excellent communication skills in an increasingly globalised world.

Humanities and creative subjects are central to the curriculum. Years 7 to 9 take History, Geography and Theology and Philosophy, alongside Music, Art, Textiles, Drama and Food. Additionally, our Humanities Transferable Skills programme in Years 7 and 8, helps pupils develop key critical skills and tackle issues such as AI and digital footprint, while they create a ‘360-degree eportfolio’ as a personal showcase.

The Games programme underpins the curriculum from Reception to the Sixth Form. Along with our dedicated Sport and PE teachers, the school benefits from a network of coaches and a fitness specialist, to ensure all sporting tastes are supported. In sport, as in many other areas of school life, the GDST network offers a multitude of wider opportunities such as inter-school rallies and competitions. 

Find out more about the academic subjects in Senior School here (link to subject flyers)

Find out more about sporting provision here

Find out more about Enrichment and Electives here