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Our broad, balanced curriculum means we encourage every girl’s interests. Our high ratio of teaching staff to pupils means pupils get individualised focus and feedback. We’re committed to providing students with the skills they need to thrive in the modern world, and that means ensuring they play to their strengths.
Reception at Brighton Girls is a fun, vibrant place – something to be celebrated as it’s often where girls first experience school life.
As with Nursery we primarily focus on the seven areas of Learning and Development as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. These are:
• Communication and language development
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Literacy development
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design
Reception students enjoy a variety of extra-curricular activities, including music, drama, and gymnastics. They also dedicate one day each week to our outdoor learning program, exploring the forest or beach under the guidance of qualified outdoor teachers. These sessions are designed to build resilience, foster leadership skills, and instil a love and respect for the natural environment—all while having a great time! Additionally, an exciting array of trips ensures that the girls’ education extends far beyond the classroom.
Our Interactive Learning Diary gives parents an accurate insight into their daughter’s achievements and progress, and the opportunity to be more actively involved in their learning.
The curriculum in Years 1 and 2 builds on the Foundation Stage, but with more of an emphasis on independent learning.
Girls are taught primarily by their Form Tutor, aided by teaching assistants and by specialist teachers in subjects such as French, Music and ICT.
The Humanities and Science are taught in an integrated way, to encourage curiosity and start to foster an interest in history, geography and the specific sciences.
Throughout, we encourage girls to be resilient and to use their own initiative, while instilling the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.
Brighton Girls is a really warm and welcoming school which gets the best out of the girls by providing a calm and fun environment to learn in. There is a real ethos of empowering the girls and preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead. – Year 1 Parent
Beyond the classroom educational trips to places like the Weald and Downland Museum support and enrich the curriculum. As in Reception, they also dedicate one day each week to our outdoor learning program, exploring the forest or beach under the guidance of qualified outdoor teachers. These sessions are designed to build resilience, foster leadership skills, and instil a love and respect for the natural environment—all while having a great time! Other activities include tennis, modern foreign languages, Craft Club, ballet and Speech & Drama.
Expectations naturally increase slightly for Years 3 and 4 and we find girls respond well to a more defined curriculum.
Form Teachers continue to oversee pastoral care and may teach their class at times. Overall though girls have more lessons with specialist teachers and benefit from the passion and expertise this brings.
School trips continue to enhance the curriculum and the overnight trip to a challenging activity centre during Year 4 is hugely popular.
Homework is also introduced which helps girls develop self-discipline and organisational skills – both of which mean they get more out of opportunities.
In Years 5 and 6 girls continue to progress with the enriched curriculum, and the preparation for Senior School becomes more focused. The syllabus broadens more and students’ abiities in the core subjects is consolidated.
School visits and educational workshops also enhance the lessons. A two-night activity based trip takes place in Year 5 and a five day trip to France in Year 6. These help our pupils to develop a greater sense of independence.
The summer term of Year 6 focuses on life skills, including business enterprise, cycling proficiency and first aid. Often completed in teams, these activities help girls develop their initiative and sense of responsibility.
Students are also assigned their own iPad which adds a whole new dimension to learning. Our learning platform, Firefly, is regularly used by girls to collaborate, find support material and compile records of achievement.