The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 centres around innovation and technology for gender equality.

From the genesis of computing to where we are now, with virtual reality and artificial intelligence threatening to reign supreme, women have made untold contributions to the digital world. Untold is the operative word.

Historically underrepresented in STEM, these women’s accomplishments have been against the odds, in fields that have neither welcomed them nor appreciated them. And this sense of exclusion begins from as young as preschool age.

But not anymore – and never at Newcastle High School for Girls.

NEWCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Committed to offering an outstanding all-girl education from the ages of 3 to 18, Newcastle High School for Girls recognises the potential in every one of their pupils.

They know that to unlock that potential, they must first support, nurture and challenge every girl to be herself.

Learning how to celebrate her individuality, discover her unique attributes and approach life with real enjoyment will instil within a young girl the self-assurance, academic ambitions and life skills she needs to become the woman she wants to be.

It’s their all-girl environment that shapes the delivery of this ambition at Newcastle High School for Girls. Research shows that by learning in such an environment, girls are more likely to contribute to class discussions and step out of their comfort zones to achieve their goals.

In the ongoing fight for gender equality, it’s as important for us to empower our daughters as it is to educate our sons. At Newcastle High School for Girls, your daughter will grow in an environment characterised by outstanding pastoral care, first-class facilities, innovation and a trailblazing spirit.

Her self-esteem will soar as she discovers just how much she is truly capable of – and she will become empowered to face the world head-on.

She will learn without limits.

GIRLS IN STEM

Perhaps the greatest beauty of an all-girls education is that there is no conscious or unconscious gender bias.

From the moment they walk through the doors, pupils at Newcastle High School for Girls know that every option is open to them and that they can take the lead. It’s little wonder, then, that more girls choose STEM subjects throughout their teenage years here.

Not that a focus on STEM is limited to the Senior School. The expert team in the School’s Early Years department implement a playful STEM curriculum in Nursery and Reception, with everything from inquisitive gingerbread men to mathematical milkshakes inspiring a love of learning among their pupils from a young age.

And that love for learning is never limited to the classroom at Newcastle High School for Girls. As the School themselves put it, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the extra – which is why they’re always encouraging their pupils to discover their passions and develop their skills further with a rich and varied co-curricular programme.

Construction is still a sector where women are not strongly represented. But, in true trailblazing style, Newcastle High School for Girls are working with other organisations to tackle this imbalance head-on to bring about change. Junior School girls recently enjoyed a visit from Believe Housing, where they learned about various roles in the construction industry before turning their hands to building a giant construction of their own as part of a two-day building project. Girls as young as three found themselves inspired by the constructive spirit and crafted imaginative creations using a great level of concentration and collaboration.

The theme for the School’s annual ‘Invented by a Woman’ International Women’s Day Prize competition provides the opportunity for the girls to hone in on the achievements of women, find new role models and understand that they too can be world-shapers.

GIRLS IN THE ARTS

At Newcastle High School for Girls, the Arts are focused on as strongly as STEM.

After all, being the best version of herself will require your daughter to gain the confidence to think independently, analytically, logically, creatively and imaginatively within their broad curriculum. English and Humanities subjects along with modern foreign languages, Classics, Dance, Drama, Art and Music all rub shoulders with core STEM subjects. And with first-class facilities like creative arts studios at the girls’ fingertips, there’s nothing to stand in the way of their success.

Newcastle High School for Girls pride themselves on empowering their girls to become strong, grounded young women who are unafraid to express themselves creatively, who also learn to be confident in their abilities. The quality of work produced in the Art department and the outstanding performances in Dance, Drama and Music are all testament to how the School nurtures the abilities and talents of its pupils.

Dedication to the Arts is also evident in the sheer variety of after-school clubs available to pupils at Newcastle High School for Girls. Everything from choir and orchestra to musical theatre, origami, dance, short story club, knit soc and film club is there to be enjoyed across all ages, while various showcases to parents and alumnae provide pupils with opportunities to work towards an end goal.

GIRLS IN SPORT

Sport has long been acknowledged as providing the opportunity to develop a wide range of life skills, from leadership to teamwork, communication, patience, resilience and the self-esteem and courage to be yourself.

It stands to reason, then, that sporting passions are strongly championed at Newcastle High School for Girls – both within school time and outside of it – and it’s another area in which the School excels.

With notable achievements in both regional and national competitions, as well as pupils going on to achieve at the very highest level, sport at Newcastle High School for Girls is integral to its rounded educational offer. However, it’s not all about competitive sports. Refreshingly, Newcastle High School for Girls is focused on encouraging participation and developing a love of sport and a healthy lifestyle in all their girls, which is evident from the huge variety of clubs and teams available to them in their co-curricular programme. Fitness and cross-country, football, yoga, hockey, athletics, netball, badminton, trampoline, volleyball, rugby – any sport you can think of will likely have its own club at Newcastle High School for Girls.

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD

‘A survey of girls who attended a range of schools nationally found that those who attended a GDST member school are more likely to want to work in a leadership position (53% compared to 42% nationally),’ says Michael Tippett, Head of Newcastle High School for Girls.

‘They’re also more likely to want to be their own boss (37% compared to 33% nationally), and more likely to feel comfortable and interested in taking risks (66% compared to 52% nationally).

‘This is testament to the impact of an all-girl education, specifically its empowerment of girls to learn without limits and be whoever they want to be – something we have long championed at Newcastle High School for Girls.’

To find out more about the benefits of learning at Newcastle High School for Girls and their admissions process, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Newcastle High School for Girls, Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3BA