
Since its foundation in 1900, Godstowe Preparatory Boarding School has been at the forefront of education. It has a distinguished tradition as the first British boarding preparatory school for girls, in a foundation that includes Wycombe Abbey, Benenden and St Leonards. Today, Godstowe is a flourishingboarding and day school, enjoying an unparalleled academic reputation. It has a pre-prep department for boys and girls aged between 3 and 7, and a preparatory school for girls from 7 to 13 years old. Girls prepare for 13+ Common Entrance to independent senior schools and for 11+ entry to grammar schools.
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1900 when the land was bought and building work began on what is still known as “School House”. Godstowe became England's first all-girls Prep Boarding School. The School name was taken from Godstow Abbey near Oxford. The site of the present School was purchased for £1,100 in 1900, but has been enlarged by the addition of boarding houses and a Pre-Prep department over the years. The first year saw 12 pupils on roll. 1963 saw the opening of Lodge as a Pre-Prep department, instead of its previous incarnation as a boarding house. This was followed by other changes in the 70s that allowed for more space and more facilities for the growing school, the Jasper Knight Hall and the new swimming pool to name but a few. It also saw a change in the uniform from traditional gymslip to the skirt and blouse, with the cheerful red jumpers similar to those worn today. By the summer of 1980, new buildings were in place including science labs and classrooms, and the continued expansion of the facilities for pupils. Design Technology was introduced reinforcing the School's strong tradition of practical subjects, such as carpentry and needlework. In 1994 the school opened its Nursery, and began nurturing its pupils from the tender age of three. 1996 saw the opening of a brand new Music School and Recital Hall along with the new Turner boarding house. Since the 1990s, this best girls boarding school has continued to thrive and develop its curriculum with more after school activities than ever before
Godstowe resides in 12 acres of parkland overlooking High Wycombe. In September 2015, Godstowe opened its doors to a brand new Early Years building. Situated next to the Nursery, the new building features two new, bright and airy classrooms, cloakrooms and a kitchen for the Reception classes. This additional space allowed for a significant rearrangement of the facilities already in Pre-Prep, which now include a new art room and refurbished classrooms, library and offices.
Independant School Inspectorate, The Good Schools Guide
Highlands, Walker and Turner House are each home to around 36 girls aged between 7 and 13. All girls have personal lockers, underbed storage and a noticeboard for their special photos and messages. They have their own tennis courts, gardens and swings, plus lots of other exciting outdoor equipment. Girls can roller skate or ride scooters, play badminton and table tennis.
Highlands House is a dedicated Junior House for girls aged from 6 to 11. It is family run, and staff are specially trained to care for our youngest pupils. Highlands is a real home from home with three well-equipped common rooms. The largest is all about fun and relaxation, with its large-screen TV, DVD player, stereo system and PlayStation. There are stacks of movies, games and music to suit every taste, as well as books and traditional board games. The next-door common room has a piano for music practice and computers for recreational or research use. The third common room is for quiet study and homework. Highlands has seven dormitories each sleeping between two and eight girls. One of the smaller rooms has an en-suite bathroom that is always very popular!
Walker House has eight dormitories for up to nine girls aged 12 and 13. As the girls mature and progress through the School, they enjoy greater privacy and share with fewer girls. Walker also has a music room with keyboards, two pianos and a karaoke machine. The larger common room boasts computers, a PlayStation and dance mats, along with TV, DVD player and hi-fi. The quiet room has a library, and is the ideal place to relax in peace or catch up on some prep.
Turner House is also home to our 12 and 13 year old girls. It is a modern purpose built house, with dormitories that sleep fewer girls affording a greater sense of privacy during their final years. As with the other houses, Turner's three common rooms are very well-equipped, comfortable and versatile. The largest has a stereo, TV and DVD player, along with computers, a piano and electric keyboard. A second room has computers, a wide selection of reference books and a piano for music practice. The smallest room is used as a quiet study area.
All houses have a well-stocked kitchen for late weekend breakfasts, or for making that all-important after-school snack.
Godstowe enjoys an unparalleled academic reputation amongst British independent schools despite its non-selective entry policy. 100% of girls consistently achieve their first-choice senior school and, in 2016, more than 50 scholarships were won. Children move from the Pre-Prep to Main School at the age of seven. From seven to nine years old they are taught mainly by their Form Tutor with specialists being used for Languages, Music, Design Technology, ICT and Sport, pupils are taught by specialists in 16 subjects across the curriculum.
From 9 to 11 years of age, children are taught by specialists in every subject. Some transparent streaming is implemented from the age of ten to ensure that lessons proceed at the pace most appropriate to the individual child. Mathematics is divided into sets from age eight to ensure that the needs of the child are exactly matched.
Many academic scholarships are successfully achieved to senior schools at 13 each year and our success rate for 11+ entry to local grammar schools is renowned. Up to the end of Year 6 our schemes of work reflect the National Curriculum. As children move into Years 7 and 8 the Common Entrance and relevant Scholarship syllabus requirements are followed.
Music plays an important role in Life at this top girls only boarding school . All pupils receive one or two class music lessons each week and everyone can join the wide-ranging musical activities that take place outside class each day. In addition, there are many opportunities for pupils to attend concerts, after-school clubs, art exhibitions, assemblies and parents' evenings.
Nearest International Airport: Heathrow
Shrubbery Road High Wycomb, Buckinghamshire HP13 6PR
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