Blackheath High School
Blackheath High School
Org 1: GSA
Org 2: IAPS
GDST
Senior School
Vanbrugh Park, London, SE3 7AG
Telephone: 020 8853 2929
Junior School
Wemyss Road, London, SE3 0TF
Telephone: 020 8852 1537
Key dates: Autumn term: Monday 4 September 2023 to Friday 15 December 2023
Half term: Monday 16 October 2023 to Friday 27 October 2023
Spring term: Monday 8 January 2024 to Thursday 28 March 2024
Half term: Monday 12 February 2024 to Friday 16 February 2024
Summer term: Thursday 18 April 2024 to Wednesday 10 July 2024
Half term: Monday 27 May 2024 to Friday 31 May 2024
Age Range: Nursery, Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11, Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Day Only
Gender: Girls
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), GCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
Blackheath High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3–18. In 2022, we were judged by the Independent School Inspectorate to be ‘excellent in all areas’, the highest possible rating, with judges commenting not just on pupils’ outstanding academic achievement, but also on their confidence, resilience, self-esteem and positivity.
We are experts in girls’ education. As part of the GDST, global leaders in girls’ education, we share a mission to deliver an education that empowers girls to thrive. The dynamic in a girls-only setting is different: there is strong evidence that girls are more likely to boldly take intellectual risks, adopt leadership roles, and be less inclined to conform to stereotypes. Research demonstrates that GDST girls leave school prepared to face the future, with the confidence to make choices and overcome barriers in a world that is far from equal. Here, every subject is a girls’ subject.
Beyond academic excellence, our vibrant co-curricular programme offers opportunities for everyone, from charity fundraising and devising sustainability projects, to participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and supporting the local community. Students can take part in LAMDA classes, create and perform in concerts, fashion shows and drama productions, take part in clubs from debating to politics, sports to sushi-making.
We offer a hugely varied, vibrant sports programme, designed to foster a lifelong love of sport and to nurture both physical and mental health. As well as timetabled Sports lessons, competitive fixtures and specialist coaches give students access to elite sports opportunities. Student wellbeing underpins all that we do at Blackheath High School. Staff know students as individuals; girls form strong, supportive friendships; trust is the backbone of our school. Our dedicated pastoral team is well placed to deal with any issues that may arise, supported by our School Nurse and a full-time Counsellor.
We have two school sites for Junior and Senior pupils, located just five miles from Canary Wharf and eight miles from central London, benefiting from all that our capital city has to offer while enjoying the village atmosphere and extensive heathland of Blackheath itself. We are adjacent to Greenwich Royal Park, 13 acres of open space with extraordinary views across the River Thames to St Paul’s. The Park is home to the Royal Observatory and the Greenwich Maritime Royal Heritage Site.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Local Governors: Ms Amanda Waygood
Headteacher: Mrs N Argile, BSc Newcastle, MSc Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head (Academic): Ms K Lewis, BA Cantab, MA UCL, PGCE
Deputy Head (Staff and Students): Mr C Alaru, BA, BEd Hons Queensland University of Technology
Acting Assistant Head (Learning & Staff Development): Mrs C Beecham, BA Hons Brunel, MA Goldsmiths, PGCE
Assistant Head (Learning & Enrichment): Miss K Hickman, MA Hons Dundee, PGCE
Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form): Ms F Cheyns, BA Universite de Lille, PGCE
Director of Finance & Operations: Mr R Ryan, AAT, DSBM
Head of Junior School: Mrs S Skevington, LLB Hons Sheffield, PGCE, EYP
Deputy Head of Junior School (Academic): Mrs Monica Patel, MA Open University, PGCE
Deputy Head of Junior School (Pastoral) : Miss A Lucas, BA Hons Sheffield Hallam
Admissions Team: admissions@bla.gdst.net