The Governors of the school pursue a policy of constant improvement of facilities and buildings, providing first-class resources for
A brand new State of the art Preparatory School, which is linked to the Senior School, opened after the February half term with the official opening during April, 2008.
The design incorporates a brand new Nursery that can operate as a self contained unit and which will allow us to consider the development of extended hours and opening throughout the year. It includes new hard and soft play areas as well as landscaped grounds featuring a habitat and conservation area.
There are specialist rooms for Art, IT and Science in addition to the Library and Assembly Hall which is used for Music and Drama. The older children use the facilities in the Senior School for DT, Home Economics and Music as well as the Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Sports Hall and Artificial Sports Surface.
FOR INFORMATION ON THE NEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL BUILDING PLEASE CLICK HERE
In the Senior School the rooms are organised in such a way that subject areas occupy a suite of rooms. There are eleven Science laboratories which have been recently refurbished and which contain the most up-to-date equipment for the teaching of Science throughout the school.
The ICT suite is used by all departments and key stages to deliver the ICT element of the specifications as well as by the ICT and Business Department to teach ICT as an essential tool to all students in years 7 to 9. Students use industry standard generic applications to word process using data and information sources, use models within spreadsheets, manipulate data handling applications, process text and graphics using graphics and DTP software, present information using presentation software, develop and combine information in web design and also use specialist software within ICT and other subject areas such as control technology.
From year 10, students can then opt to take the AQA GCSE Business and Communication Systems course, which is very popular, or the AQA GCSE ICT short course. At AS and A2, ICT and Business Studies are offered as separate subjects.
There are three dedicated ICT rooms and there are more than 200 PCs and laptops in use around the campus, including the use of wireless networking where appropriate. There is an ongoing programme of updating and upgrading hardware and software so that girls are able to use up to date facilities to support their work. Students and staff are able to access these resources around the school, for example, in the library, in specialist teaching areas, the Preparatory School and the sixth form college.
Art, Craft, Design & Technology, Home Economics and Social Sciences all have their own Centres. The Music Factory houses rooms for orchestra practice, some teaching spaces for individual music lessons and classes including keyboard composition, as well as an area for girls to listen to music.
There are language laboratories and language rooms (with plans being made to upgrade the main laboratory). Satellite TV is used by the language department to provide up-to-date news broadcasts and other programme's of general interest. There is an excellent library which the VIth form may use for private study in their free time and which can be used by all girls at lunch time. Many of the furnishings were made by Thompson's of Kilburn (the “Mouse'' people) and these were largely provided by the Old Girls' Union. The library has a stock of over 12,000 books, as well as computers providing access to CD Roms and other sources of reference.
The Assembly Hall possesses full stage lighting and sound equipment, much of it purchased with funds raised by the Friends of the School.
Adjoining the Hall is a glass-covered atrium which has greatly enhanced the facilities available when drama productions and concerts are staged as well as providing an area for quiet conversation and relaxation at lunchtimes. A new dining room and kitchen has been built between Lady Royd and the main school building.
The Gymnasium is a movement centre where Dance, Gymnastics and some Drama takes place. It has a sprung floor, full gymnastic equipment, mirrors across one wall, and TV and video facilities.
The swimming pool is 25 m in length with spring boards, full sound system and support equipment enabling all competitions, diving, synchronised swimming, beginner lessons and Lifesaving to take place.
The Sports Complex has two squash courts, and a Sports Hall which converts into 4 badminton courts, volleyball, indoor tennis, netball and indoor hockey. A table tennis centre of excellence uses the ten competition Table Tennis Tables. Basketball practice rings are available. A leisure, viewing and refreshment area complement the facility.
Outdoor facilities include an artificial playing surface, hockey pitches, 8 all-weather courts for netball and tennis, rounders pitches and an athletics track. There is a hard area for high jump, long jump and discus
LIBRARY
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 5.30pm- Fri 8.30am – 3.30pm.
Departmental Staff: Mrs. R. France: Mrs. J. Buck: Ms. M. Lester
The multimedia library resource centre is staffed by a chartered librarian and two library assistants. It provides a library and information service to staff and students, as well as encouraging recreational reading, aiming to promote a reading culture throughout the whole school.
The Library is available for VIth form private study throughout the school day and can be used by all girls before registration, at break and lunchtimes. Supervised after-school study provision is also provided here.
The Library houses nearly 20,000 items including books, journals, daily & foreign language newspapers, DVDs, videos and 12 networked computers equipped with Microsoft Office, Internet access, DVD writing facilities and USB ports.
The library is fully automated using the Autolib Library management system and most library items may be borrowed on presentation of a library ticket.
Additional services include a photocopying service and inter-library loans from the British Library.
The library is light and spacious with informal seating in the fiction area and Thompson’s of Kilburn (the ‘Mouse’ people) furnishings in the non-ficion study area; these were largely provided by the Old Girls’ Union.