How big are the class sizes?
20 is our maximum but many classes are smaller for example English and Maths sets, some Language groups and some Junior classes.
My daughter is currently in Year 10 and some of her GCSE Exam Boards are different to yours, does this matter?
Brigidine has experienced teachers with knowledge in many different Examination Boards and are able to accommodate the running of two specifications. We have small classes so we can differentiate where needed and we can personalise the curriculum for individual needs.
Do you offer GCSE Business Studies?
Yes, we do.
My daughter is currently in Year 12 and some of her A-Level Exam Boards are different to yours, does this matter?
Should your daughter complete her AS and A2 exams with different Boards, it will still be recognised as a full A Level qualification. Students going into UVI in September 2009 are welcome to join us from 8th June 2009, after completion of their AS Exams, in preparation for commencement of their A2 coursework. In this instance, fees will commence from 1st September 2009.
What GCSE and A-Level options are available?
Please refer to the Curriculum Booklet and individual subject flyers. The option choices change each year, according to student choices.
Will my daughter have to sit an entrance exam?
No, as your daughter will be invited to spend a ‘Taster Day’ with us and, if applying for Years 7 to 11, during the course of the day she may sit short assessment papers in Maths, English and Science, but these are purely to find out what your daughter is good at! There will also be a short interview with the Headmistress. Junior children will also take part in ‘Taster Days’ during which their general ability will be assessed through the normal lessons of the day.
Do you cater for all abilities?
Yes we do, as we are not a selective school and therefore we can cater for all pupils and their individual needs. We have a Gifted and Talented Programme and we work with Dyslexia Action in Egham to support some students with their learning. We personalise our curriculum to meet individual needs.
Do you offer separate Sciences?
For GCSE we currently offer Science and Additional Science for our existing pupils, however Physics, Chemistry and Biology are taught by specialists and are more than adequately prepared to continue to A-Level. A-Levels in Sciences are very popular in the school. We are currently reviewing offering three separate sciences for GCSE. We are also able to offer the continuation of three separate sciences at GCSE, should your daughter join us.
How will you help pupils transferring settle?
We will have a full induction programme for all new students which will involve activities such as team building and other group activities.
What is Value Added?
As a small school, we can offer ‘Value Added’ in that you can expect your daughter to achieve at least one grade higher in her GCSEs than initially predicted and in some subjects two grades higher. For example, if a pupil is predicted 4 x C and 4 x B, we achieve 4 x B and 4 x A, if not higher.
Do you provide transport?
We provide a number of routes already and from September 2009 a school bus will run from Staines but it could go further afield i.e. Ashford, if requested. The specific route will depend on where pupils need to be picked up from. In addition, free transport is provided by our school mini bus from/to Windsor & Eton Riverside Station.
How religious is Brigidine School Windsor?
We are a Roman Catholic school and follow the Ecumenical Year. However, we are very multi-cultural and have students here of other faiths, and no faith. Everyone is welcome and we respect each other’s beliefs.
What Extra Curricular Activities are on offer at Brigidine School Windsor?
Please refer to our Extra Curricular Website page and booklet. We are pleased to offer a wide-range of activities for both our Junior and Senior pupils, for example, for Juniors there is, amongst others, Keep-fit, Netball, Book Appreciation, Arts and Crafts, Recorder, Ballet, Speech and Drama, Modern Jazz Dance, Choir and Science Clubs. For Seniors there is, for example, Running Club, Trampolining, Tennis, Swimming, Mandarin, ICT, Digital Photography, Street Dance, Chamber Choir, Speech and Drama, Chess, Science, Film Appreciation, Young Enterprise, Proshare and many more...
Do you run the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme?
Yes we do, for Year 9 upwards.
Are you a very sporty school?
We have dynamic and well qualified PE staff who organise a match programme for Year 5 upwards throughout the year. Some PE activities take place off site at local sporting facilities, for example, the gym and swimming pool at Windsor Leisure Centre and facilities at Thames Valley Athletic Centre (TVAC), Eton.
My daughter is an elite athlete, how will you accommodate this?
We already have a number of girls who have reached a high level in particular sporting activities outside of Brigidine e.g. ice skating and ski racing. By working closely in partnership with their parents we are able to support them in order that they achieve academically too.
My daughter enjoys Music and/or Drama, can you provide extra tuition for this?
We have a number of Music, Dance and Speech and Drama Peripatetic teachers who provide weekly lessons in a variety of subjects. Music includes a variety of musical instruments and voice plus the opportunity to participate in our choirs, orchestra and various performance groups. There are Street Dance, Modern Jazz and Ballet lessons and our popular Speech and Drama lessons run in-line with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA).
Do you provide many Educational Visits?
Yes, both residential and day visits. For example, residential visits include a trip to Iceland in April 2010, PGL adventure long weekend for Years 4-6 each June and a number of Language Study Tours. Educational Day Visits for Nursery to UVI take place throughout the year.
Will it be easy to obtain the uniform?
We have a fully stocked uniform shop here on site.
Do you provide before and after school care?
We can accommodate students from Nursery upwards from 8.00am until 5.50pm.
What are the lunches like?
The food here is really good! Holroyd Howe Independent are situated on site and provide a selection of freshly prepared hot meals, including vegetarian. Salads and sandwiches are also available.
