Introduction
School Name: Sydenham High School
Description: Independent Day School for Girls
Acceptance Ages: 11+
Overview
Sydenham High School is an independent school for girls situated in Westwood Hill, Sydenham, London. Founded by the Girls’ Public Day School Trust in 1887. Originally educating 20 pupils and increasing its population of 600 girls.
Sydenham High’s facilities expanded significantly in recent years due to an ongoing investment by the GDST. A Performing Arts Centre was opened in 2006, while the Junior School development added classrooms for teaching Science, Art, ICT and languages in 2009.
The continuous improvement of facilities aims to reflect the high-quality education offered at Sydenham High. The broad and balanced curriculum includes Mathematics, Design and Technology, English, Religious Studies, Science, Art, Computing, History, PSHE as well as French, Spanish, German and Italian as language options.
The curriculum aims to prepare girls academically for the Upper School as well as their GCSE courses and incorporate the development of personal skills and attributes that will benefit them in the future.
The school also invests in subject extension activities, such as conferences, trips and workshops which reinforce teaching and learning and provide a profound meaning to education through a range of exceptional learning opportunities.
Specialist facilities for the teaching of science, ICT, music, art and design and technology are utilised, while a variety of co-curricular activities take place in state-of-the-art sports facilities that include a large indoor sports centre, a fitness suite, a large all-weather pitch and an eight acre sports ground in Lower Sydenham with tennis courts and a pavilion.
The Stepping Up to Year 7 programme introduced by the school to help the new pupils transition smoothly into Senior School life. It occurs weekly and is led by the Head of Year 7. Activities include; building new relationships, resilience activities, leaving a legacy and many others.
These and similar efforts to facilitate children to new routines, expectations and relationships tend to encourage them to internalise the school’s original Anglo Saxon motto Nyle ye drede (fear nothing) and live the rest of their lives accordingly.
Open Events for Sydenham High School 11 Plus (11+) Entry
The school hosts Open Events and Taster Sessions throughout the school year. Taster Sessions allow applicants the opportunity to experience life at Sydenham High first hand while taking part in different lessons and activities. Places for Taster Sessions are limited and registration is necessary. Book your place here.
If you prefer visiting the school at your convenient time, contact the admissions team on 020 8557 7004 or email admissions@syd.gdst.net.
Sydenham High School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Applicants must sit an entrance examination consisting of Mathematics and English papers. The school then conducts an interview with the applicant to know better. Interviews last around 15 minutes.
A reference from your daughter’s current school will also be required.
The entrance examinations and the interview will be in January with the application fee is £100 for UK students and £125 for overseas students.
Sydenham High School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
The Sydenham High School 11+ examinations consist of English paper, which lasts one hour that evaluates reading, comprehension and writing exercises.
The Mathematics paper also lasts one hour and evaluates problem solving and arithmetic skills.
Please see below for further details and recommendations on the preparation for the Sydenham High School 11+ entrance examinations.
