Guildford High School

Guildford High School is an independent day school for girls, located in Guildford, Surrey, England. The school is part of the Girls' Day School Trust and has a long history of academic excellence, with many students going on to attend top universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. Guildford High School has a strong reputation for producing well-rounded individuals who have gone on to achieve great things in fields such as medicine, law, and politics, with notable alumni including Theresa May, Harriet Harman, and Diana Quick. The school's emphasis on academic achievement, combined with its wide range of extracurricular activities, has made it a popular choice for parents looking for a high-quality education for their daughters, with many students coming from surrounding areas such as Woking, Farnham, and Godalming.

● History

Guildford High School was founded in 1888 by the Girls' Public Day School Company, which later became the Girls' Day School Trust. The school has a long and rich history, with many notable events and milestones, including the appointment of its first headmistress, Miss Sophia Braithwaite, who played a significant role in shaping the school's early years. The school has also been influenced by other notable figures, such as Emily Davies, a pioneer in women's education, and Millicent Fawcett, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement. Throughout its history, the school has maintained strong links with other institutions, including Royal Holloway, University of London, University of Surrey, and Guildford Cathedral. The school has also been involved in various events and activities, such as the Guildford Festival, Surrey County Show, and London Marathon, which have helped to raise its profile and engage with the local community.

● Admissions

Admissions to Guildford High School are highly competitive, with many applicants vying for a limited number of places. The school uses a range of criteria to select students, including GCSE results, A-level predictions, and performance in entrance exams, such as the Common Entrance Examination. Students who are successful in their application are often those who have attended top-performing primary schools, such as St Catherine's School, Bramley, Tormead School, and Box Hill School. The school also offers scholarships and bursaries to students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability or talent in areas such as music, art, or sport, with many students going on to achieve great things in these fields, including attending prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Art, and Loughborough University.

● Curriculum

The curriculum at Guildford High School is broad and balanced, with a range of subjects available to students, including mathematics, science, English literature, and history. The school also offers a range of optional subjects, such as classics, geography, and modern languages, including French, Spanish, and German. Students are encouraged to pursue their interests and strengths, with many going on to study subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology at A-level. The school has a strong focus on academic achievement, with many students achieving top grades in their GCSE and A-level exams, and going on to attend top universities, including University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester, and University College London. The school's curriculum is also influenced by other institutions, such as the Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, and Geographical Association.

● Extracurricular Activities

Guildford High School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sport, music, and drama. The school has a strong reputation for producing talented athletes, with many students competing at county and national level in sports such as hockey, netball, and athletics. The school also has a thriving music department, with many students learning to play instruments such as the piano, violin, and cello. Students are also encouraged to participate in drama and theatre productions, with many going on to study drama and theatre studies at university, including institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. The school's extracurricular activities are also influenced by other organizations, such as the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and English National Opera.

● Notable Alumni

Guildford High School has a long list of notable alumni, including politicians such as Theresa May and Harriet Harman, who have both held prominent positions in Parliament, including Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Other notable alumni include actresses such as Diana Quick and Phyllis Logan, who have appeared in a range of films and television shows, including Midsomer Murders, Downton Abbey, and Secrets & Lies. The school has also produced a number of successful businesswomen, including Karren Brady, who is the vice-chairman of West Ham United Football Club and a prominent figure in British business. Many alumni have also gone on to achieve great things in fields such as medicine, law, and academia, including institutions such as University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school's alumni network is also connected to other notable individuals, such as Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Stephen Hawking, who have all made significant contributions to their respective fields.

Category:Independent schools in Surrey