Derby High School, Derby

Derby High School
Motto The power of the lord is the beginning of wisdom
Established 1892
Type Independent day school
Religion Church of England
Headteacher Mrs A. Chapman MA (Open University), BA Hons (Nottingham)
Location Derby
DE23 3DT
England
Staff 45 full time, 10 part time
Students 504
Gender Coeducational age 3–18; girls only 11–18 accepting boys in year 7 and sixth form from September 2019
Ages 3–18
Houses St.Patrick, St.Andrew, St.George, St.David
Colours Blue and green
Website derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk

Derby High School is an independent day school for children aged 3 to 18 in the suburb of Littleover in Derby. Formerly girls only in the Senior School, from September 2019 Derby High will be welcoming boys into Years 7 and 12 (Lower Sixth). The Primary School is coeducational welcoming both boys and girls from age 3 to 11. The school is is a member of IAPS.[1]

The school's main premises are at Hillsway, Littleover, and include sports facilities on site. A dedicated Sixth Form and Music Centre was opened by the Earl of Wessex in 2008 and a brand new infant and nursery building was formally opened at the site in October 2016 by the Duchess of Gloucester.

History

Derby High School officially opened at Oxford Villas, a semi-detached house in Osmaston Road, in January 1892, later moving up the road to The Field (now demolished).

Prior to the start of the Second World War the school was forced to evacuate because of its vulnerable position close to Rolls-Royce and the Locomotive Works, both considered prime targets for German bombers. It moved to Mackworth House, now the Mackworth Hotel, a much smaller premises with no playing fields. Instead, children would play on a street and a teacher would keep watch for traffic. In 1940 the school returned to Osmaston Road but was damaged during an air raid on 19 August.

In 1955 discussions were held about moving the school to the site – then known as Hilltop – that it currently occupies in Hillsway, Littleover. The building was purchased but lengthy renovations had to be carried out and was hampered by a fire at The Field that caused more than £4,000 worth of damage. The school entered more troubled times as its buildings at Osmaston Road were flooded after the 1957 East Midlands earthquake damaged some pipes. After much difficulty it finally moved to Hilltop where it has been ever since.[2]

Derby High celebrated its 120th anniversary in January 2012. A book, High Life, containing historical information and old photos was published to commemorate the occasion.[3]

Academics

More recently, students achieved a 100% pass rate in the 2018 GCSEs and A Levels.[4]

Curriculum

The primary curriculum encourages pupils to develop skills which will help them to become independent learners. Throughout the whole school a Thinking for Learning (T4L) programme is followed. This is underpinned by Art Costa's Habits of Mind, such as ‘Taking a Responsible Risk', ‘Persistence', ‘Managing your Impulsivity' and ‘Creativity'. Across the curriculum pupils have access to a wide range of classroom activities that support and develop the skills and which are designed to promote higher order thinking.

The primary department broadly follows the National Curriculum, assessment at Derby High Primary is not, however, via SATS tests.[5]

The senior curriculum is built around teaching for GCSE and A-level. In the senior school, all subjects are taught by specialist teachers.

The senior school begins with Year 7, which has two forms of equal ability, each with a form tutor. Students are taught in forms for all subjects except Maths, for which there are sets. In Year 7, the traditional core subjects are taught: English (with Drama), Maths, History, Geography, French, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Art, Music, Design Technology, Home Economics, Religious Studies, PE and ICT.

In Year 8, German or Spanish becomes a second language.

In Years 9, 10, and 11, all subjects are offered to GCSE. All students must take Maths and English and choose six other courses, including at least one language and one science.[6]

Years 12 and 13 are the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, with most students taking three A-levels or maybe four.

There are also programmes of visits to support learning, with regular trips to places and events outside the school for sciences, History, Geography, and Religious Studies.

Extra-curricular activities

Activities outside school are strongly encouraged and include school plays, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, public speaking, debating, the school choir, and school clubs for music, crafts, science and photography. There are music and drama workshops, and regular visits from speakers of interest.

There are annual trips to Europe plus a four-week World Challenge expedition every other year.

Sports

Physical education is compulsory for all children in the school. The main school sports are hockey, netball, gymnastics, and tennis, plus dance, basketball, badminton, rounders, swimming, trampolining, and volleyball.[7]

Alumni

There is an active "Old Girl's" society, a network for previous pupils of the school. Meet ups consist of lunches and a summer "get together" on the Head's lawn.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Get an all-round education at Derby High School". Derby Telegraph. 20 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "Disaster struck when two boys stole sweets and set fire to historic school". Derby Telegraph. 28 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "School prepares to celebrate its 120th birthday despite some near disasters". Derby Telegraph. 21 November 2011.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Senior School curriculum
  7. ↑ Sport
  8. ↑ Alumni – Old Girl's Society. Retrieved 24 August 2015

Coordinates: 52°54′15″N 1°30′55″W / 52.90406°N 1.51537°W / 52.90406; -1.51537

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