Senior School Day

For early arrivals, breakfast is available in the Dining Centre from 08.00. Girls may also work quietly in the library where they are supervised until 08.25, then in their form rooms until registration.

 

08.40	Registration
08.50	Lesson 1
09.30	Lesson 2
10.05	Break
10.25	Lesson 3
11.05	Lesson 4
11.45	Lesson 5
12.25	Lesson 6
13.00	Lunch
14.20	Registration
14.25	Assembly (except Thursdays)
14.40	Lesson 7
15.20	Lesson 8
15.55	End of School Day

 

After school, girls can wait for collection in the school library rooms, where they can do homework, or chat quietly to friends and play board games. The school canteen is open for snacks until 16.20. The late room facility closes at 17.30.

Senior School Curriculum

Our students pursue a broad and balanced academic curriculum, with strong provision for both arts and science subjects. This programme is underpinned by a wide range of creative and physical activities.

Years 7 to 9

All girls follow a three-year foundation course from age 11 to 14. The curriculum has been designed to provide breadth and balance whilst enabling each girl to develop her particular interests and talents and keep future options open as long as possible. It broadly embraces the spirit of the national curriculum and it is regularly reviewed to keep abreast of developments in national examinations, higher education and new technology. Subjects include: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, English, Food & Nutrition, French and German or Spanish*, Geography, History, ICT, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Studies, Textiles.

*In Year 7 all the girls have the opportunity to study French, German and Spanish each for 10 weeks.

In Year 9 the following options are available:

Classical Greek or a second modern language
Classical Civilisation or Latin

 

Careers Guidance forms an important part of the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme in Year 9 as the girls prepare to make their GCSE choices. All subjects are taught by well-qualified, specialist teachers. Visiting speakers, day-trips and fieldwork enrich classroom studies. Language trips are organised regularly to France, Germany and Spain.

Years 10 and 11

All girls follow a programme of study leading to ten GCSEs plus OCR Nationals ICT. On rare occasions a girl may be permitted to study more than 10 GCSE subjects; however, we feel it is important for our students to enjoy each of their subjects and to have time to take full advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities on offer. Studying for extra qualifications can cause undue pressure and are simply not necessary for moving on to A Levels and Higher Education.

GCSE choices include:

Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Greek, Drama, English Language, English Literature, Food & Nutrition, French, Geography, German, History, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Religious Studies, Spanish.

To provide breadth to the curriculum there is a programme of non-examination lessons comprising Physical Education, Personal, Social & Health Education, Careers guidance, and Religious Studies/Ethics. This programme is supplemented by occasional day or half-day 'Lifeskills' sessions.

Art

The Art and Design course is followed by all girls in Years 7 to 9. They explore a wide range of media including 3-D work, ceramics, collage, printmaking, textiles and graphic design, whilst maintaining a firm basis in drawing and painting. The course also focuses on the knowledge and critical understanding of art and artists and girls study the cross-cultural aspects of Art and Design. There are dark room facilities for GCSE, AS and A2 students, and photography is a popular option. Visits to galleries and artists' studios or visits by practising artists are organised every year for each form.

Drama

Exploring issues and relationships, coping with emotions, co-operating as a group are all brought together in Drama, which touches on different elements of the curriculum as well as giving the opportunity to perform. Through Drama, girls develop their imagination, self-confidence and communication skills. Girls also gain practical skills in stage lighting, set design, and production planning. As part of their classes, girls explore how dance, music and drama all contribute to creating atmospheric theatre.

Music

Music-making is a fundamental part of the curriculum at the Maynard School and, for many girls, it is central to their life at school. We value our talented musicians and aim to foster an appreciation and enjoyment of music in all girls. From Year 3 to Year 9 class Music lessons focus on learning through the practical experience of performing, composing and listening. From Year 10 to Year 13 Music courses are offered at both GCSE and A-level.

Visiting specialist staff provide a wide choice of instrumental tuition with nearly half of the girls taking instrumental lessons. The Maynard organises a programme of concerts during the year, enabling our musicians to enjoy performance and share their skills with parents and friends. Extra-curricular music groups are highly popular and girls can choose between 13 different groups and ensembles, both vocal and instrumental.

Physical Education

We run a very active physical education programme in which all girls participate and many excel. Our varied choice of sporting activities aims to promote physical fitness and skill, good health and a lasting interest in both the leisure and competitive aspects of sport giving everyone the opportunity and encouragement to enjoy physical exercise, whatever their potential.

During the Winter terms Year 7 girls do Hockey (indoor and outdoor), Basketball, Dance, Gymnastics, Netball and Health Related Exercise. From Year 8 to Year 10, Badminton and Volleyball are added to the Winter sports list. In the Summer term the programme changes to Tennis, Rounders, Athletics and Swimming.

In addition to the core PE programme, Upper 5 and Sixth Form girls can opt for Aerobics, Fencing, Squash, Trampolining or Self-Defence. Tennis and Badminton coaching are available year-round for all ages as an extra.

The sports fixture list is very busy and the Maynard has an excellent record of success both regionally and nationally. Maynard teams regularly win through to both Regional and National Finals in hockey, tennis, basketball, netball, athletics and swimming. We have many County players, and several girls have reached National selection for hockey, netball and basketball and represented England in International tournaments.