Academic Life -
Best Results and Value Added Ranking for All Girls

At our private independent senior school for girls, we have excellent public exam results.  All girls achieve the best academic results possible for their ability, both at GCSE and at A Level..

Westonbirt is a top ranking school in terms of "value added", i.e. the amount of academic improvement shown by girls from the time they join to the time they leave.

A wide choice of academic subjects is offered throughout the school, from Year 7 to Year 13. You will be encouraged to keep your options open for as long as possible before choosing your GCSEs (typically 9 subjects) and A Levels (typically 4 AS Levels in Year 12 and 3 A Levels in Year 13.)  You are welcome to combine arts and sciences to A Level or to specialise.  For full details of subjects at public examination level, please click here for our GCSE subject choices handbook.

The academic life of the school is effectively managed by the Director of Studies and Deputy Head, Mr Mark Gluning, in consultation with the Senior Management Team and the Curriculum Committee. Working together, they ensure that the academic programme of the school offers you the best possible preparation for the next stage of your education and for life-long learning.

Extra Opportunities

Our intake includes girls of a wide range of abilities from the exceptionally gifted and talented  to those who need some additional support for problems such as dyslexia.  To ensure that all girls achieve their very best, we offer additional help of different kinds.

Gifted and Talented
The girls in the top 10% are offered the opportunity to join additional classes and activities to provide extra stimulus and interest, so that no matter how well they do, they will always have the impetus to strive further.

Learning Support
Our excellent Learning Support department with specialist LS staff, led by Mrs Jane Nichols, provides discreet help to girls with dyslexia, dyspraxia or other learning difficulties during their free periods so that they do not miss any lessons. The girls will tell you that there is absolutely no shame or stigma about accepting help from LS – in fact, they positively enjoy it!

English Language Training
Girls from overseas must have a certain level of English language when they join us. To help them improve their English as quickly as possible, all girls are taught mainstream for all their subjects and are encouraged to speak only English during the school day.  They also receive extra coaching from our expert English Language Training department, led by Miss Chris Lloyd.