Notre Dame Roman Catholic Girls' School

In choosing a secondary school for your daughter, we know that you will be looking for one where she will be happy, where she will be learning in a community with high expectations and where she will receive the best education possible.

We work extremely hard to ensure that this kind of environment exists. As a Catholic school we exist primarily to assist our pupils in their faith journey and to help each pupil achieve their potential. We consider close co-operation with parents to be vital, and hope that if your daughter does join us you will work in partnership with us and take advantage of any opportunity for contact and discussion with us.

At Notre Dame School our mission is to contribute - in partnership with the home and parish - to the development of Christian women who are confident, can think for themselves, who understand the concepts of equality and justice and can play a full and responsible part in a changing and multicultural society.

Our aim is to ensure that all aspects of school life reflect the school's distinctive Catholic ethos and that each girl is given equality of opportunity to achieve her full potential - spiritually, academically and socially.

As a Catholic School, the Curriculum at Notre Dame is inspired by the teachings of the Gospel, taking into account the requirements of the Department For Education, Local Authority, and the Catholic Diocese of Southwark.

At Notre Dame, we endeavour to ensure that all pupils have access to the Curriculum. The work is planned to take account progression and continuity. We are opposed to any form of discrimination on grounds of race, gender, ability or disability.

Religious Education is at the heart of our Curriculum. It is rooted in three aspects: teaching, worship and moral values.

At Notre Dame we aim to motivate and challenge each pupil to reach their potential. Our work is be based on the National Curriculum, the Core and the Foundation Subjects.

In delivering the Curriculum, we realise that it is essential for each child to experience different methods of learning through the effective use of a range of printed and practical materials including the use of ICT.

Some of these learning skills are addressed through a whole class approach / small groups, and individual work. Within the class our children are grouped according to their abilities, with work differentiated to meet all pupils' talents, skills and abilities.

Children study all subjects in the National Curriculum. These include Mathematics, Literacy, Science, ICT (Information and technology skills), History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Education combined with Citizenship. Wherever possible, children are encouraged to explore thematic links between curriculum areas.

Every year Notre Dame is amongst the highest achieving schools in Southwark in the percentage of its students gaining 5+ A* - C grades in the GCSE exams and for Attainment and Progress 8. It is one of the leading schools in Central London.

In order to enable students to achieve their full academic potential they are tested after they have been accepted for a place in the School and grouped into two broad bands of ability. In Year 7 they are taught in mixed ability groups within these bands and from Year 8 onwards they are placed within the bands into ability sets for each different subject.

Pupils' learning in key stage 3 is just as important as their learning in key stage 4. Pupils are offered a choice of four different pathways. In some subjects, pupils start preparing for their GCSE exams in year 9.

To provide a curriculum which enables all students to become successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve; confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives; and responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

To provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum that promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students at school and within society; and prepares learners for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.