As leaders in educating girls, the GDST offers exceptional teaching, tailored to the way that girls learn. We also focus on helping our girls to develop the skills and character to prepare them for the future. They learn to be confident, positive and fearless. We give our girls confidence beyond the curriculum.

The senior school years, from 11 to 16, are a hugely fulfilling time for girls. Academic excellence is a given at GDST all girls’ senior schools, but we also strongly champion personal development, wellbeing and confidence beyond the comfort zone.

We believe that the proof of a great education is what happens in a girls’ future: the professions and industries they choose, the journeys they take in their careers, the qualities they are valued for and, of course the people they become.

To find out more about why a GDST education is so special, visit: The GDST Difference – Girls’ Day School Trust

Our pastoral provision at Shrewsbury High is called CLIMB – this encompasses everything from tutor time, pastoral 1-2-1s, and mentoring, with all our wellbeing work centred around one idea: that we are climbing on a journey, we belong, and that we are here to support and nurture each other within our community, to be the best we can.

Our experienced pastoral team works closely with families to ensure every pupil is nurtured and can make a happy transition to life at senior school. Wellbeing and personal development come before all else.

Before joining senior school, pupils entering Year 7 are invited to a number of events where they can familiarise themselves with the school and get to know others in their year.

At seniors, every student has two form tutors, who are available to support and guide our girls on their learning journey. Moreover, the form tutors are the first port of call for parents and carers, as they are the coaches, mentors and daily support for each and every student in their care.

Heading up each stage team is the Head of Stage, who steers the course and plans proactively for the needs of their cohort of students, tracking the academic and personal development of their pupils.

Girls are welcome to come into school from 8am.  Registration is at 8.30am.  Period 1 begins at 9am, Period 2 at 10am followed by break from 11.05 until 11.25.  Period 3 takes place from 11.30 until 12.30 when lunch begins, split into two lunch sittings.  Period 4 starts at 2pm, Period 5 at 3pm and the academic day ends at 4pm.

Students can then either go home (school minibuses leave at 4.10pm every day), stay to take part in a club or work in the library on their homework until 5.30pm.

Clubs and extension opportunities take place during lunch, as well as before and after school.

We take great care in scheduling homework carefully for girls who have just joined year 7 – the jump from primary to senior school is a big one and we want to ensure that they are able to settle in successfully into their new routine.

For year seven girls, each subject has one slot of 20/25 minutes per fortnight.  However, core subjects (English, Maths and Science) have multiple sessions over the fortnight.  The time allocation increases up to 30 minutes, with more sessions per subject at GCSE and A-Level as they have fewer subjects to study as move up through the school.  For those girls who have special access arrangements or who are working closely with our Learning Enhancement team, these homework allocations may vary.

We only set for Mathematics.

Computer Science with an emphasis on computational thinking and problem-solving skills is embedded in the KS3 curriculum. Students are encouraged to think creatively about technology and its positive impact on the community. Basic programming begins in Year 7, involving problem solving strategies and practising logical analysis and critical thinking. Programming grows in complexity through Year 8 and 9 to ensure that, by the time they choose GCSE optional subjects, students have good understanding of software development techniques.

Students learn coding languages such as Python in Computer Science and at  A level our students can complete the GDST Sixth Form Space Technology Diploma.

In Year 7 all pupils study French, Spanish and German. Latin is introduced in Year 8 and pupils can choose to drop one of the modern languages as they move into year 8.

For GCSE, students do not have to select a language but for those students who enjoy languages, they are able to do so.  From year 9 pupils can also access Ancient Greek which runs outside of the timetable.

All languages, including Latin, are offered at A level.

Lunch is an important part of the school day at Shrewsbury High. Our lunch menu offers a tasty and nutritious selection of hot meals alongside a wide choice of freshly handmade sandwiches, pasta, soup, fruit and desserts. We cater to a wide variety of tastes and special diets and include clearly labelled options for those choosing vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and halal options.

School lunches are compulsory until the end of year 11, pupils are not allowed to bring their own packed lunches in from home.

At 11+, all applicants are automatically considered for an Academic scholarship. Art, Drama, Music and Sports scholarships are also available.

At 16+ for Sixth Form, internal (unless already in receipt of a scholarship) and external students can apply for an Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sports scholarship.

We are keen to offer the opportunity of a Shrewsbury High education to applicants regardless of their family’s financial circumstances and offer a number of means-tested bursaries. An award can be up to 100 per cent of school fees dependent on individual circumstances, with joint household income and assets taken into account.

Read more at LINK TO BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE

There are four Houses: Apollo, Jupiter, Mercury and Neptune. We hold regular House activities where girls make friendships across year groups through regular House competitions and fundraising opportunities.

We appreciate that safe and secure transport is an important issue for busy parents.

We provide bus routes bringing our pupils to the school from across the whole of Shropshire.   Our school bus service is managed in-house using our own fleet of minibuses.  All our professionally trained drivers are DBS checked, and regular drivers are allocated to the same route every day, which allows both you and your daughter to get to know the driver on your route.  All vehicles used on our bus routes have seat belts fitted to every seat and are maintained to a very high standard.

See our full bus routes and timetables at LINK TO BUS ROUTES PAGE

Everything from Big Band and Chemistry Club to Zeitgeist Club, Harry Potter and Art Scholars.  We offer over 100 clubs and societies every week. In a typical year, there are trips to Iceland, Madrid, New York and Berlin, to name a few. The Women Mean Business conferences give students the chance to listen to and ask questions of inspirational speakers, from eminent scientists to entrepreneurs and artists.

Our Careers Programme offers support on subject options, work experience and career paths, as well as helping to develop real-world skills for the future.

There is a biennial Careers Fair, Biomed Conference and careers talks with alumnae, business experts and leading entrepreneurs.

Our dedicated Oxbridge and UCAS specialist works in-house to guide and support students through their applications. Current students are connected to SHS alumnae giving them insights into university life.