Capital Campaign Reports and Reviews

Why all-girls?

Real-world preparation

There are so many advantages to an all-girls education, some of them more important than ever. But the most important benefit is the way it supports girls to live life on their own terms. Research suggests that graduates from all-girls education are more assertive and assured in mixed company than co-ed peers. They know that their voices matter and will be heard: so that is how they live their lives.

Freedom

What’s obvious in all great all-girls environments is the freedom students feel to be who they are. In the absence of the gendered gaze, girls flourish. What makes all-girls environments special is the way everyone acts as if they are at home. They are funny, creative, silly, brilliant, supportive. They are themselves.

It’s also well-established that girls choose their own paths more freely and are more likely to take risks and innovate in all-girls settings. Nothing is gendered. Ask an Abbey student whether some subjects or activities suit girls more than others and they are genuinely puzzled. Why on earth would they? Why shouldn’t anyone choose to do exactly what they want?

That isn’t the experience for everyone. Across the country, only around 13% of entries to A-level Physics are girls, yet they secure around 25% of the top grades.

At The Abbey girls choose whatever they want, and are supported to fulfil their potential. There’s just more room to breathe and to live with freedom.

Outcomes

Girls do better in all-girls education. League tables, flawed as they are, tell this story loud and clear. All-girls schools help their students succeed. The old criticism of hot-housing is a mile off the mark. Girls’ schools are about enthusiasm, authenticity, and taking part. In that climate, girls excel.

Leadership

Schools offer so many student leadership positions. In all-girls environments, this makes female leadership the natural and expected way of things. And the style of that leadership is dynamic, collaborative and supportive. It’s the kind of leadership business and society need.

Lifelong support

Every alumna of The Abbey has access to our careers network – lifelong. It includes women in every industry and profession, all of them passionate about fair representation and mutual support. In all-girls schools, girls forge friendships that often last their whole lives. The experience our girls have at school will continue to bring them benefit far into their futures.

Justice

Girls continue to experience injustice in the co-educational system. Studies show that girls receive 30% less teacher attention than boys: it is assumed they will just get on with it. Girls are also under-represented in co-educational independent schools. Because the UK has the largest and most successful all-girls system in the world, girls in independent co-education make up only 45% of the cohort, leading to a further in-built skew towards boys.

Negative gender attitudes start from the earliest days of primary school. Over a third of primary school teachers report witnessing stereotyping on a weekly basis. And when the chair of a parliamentary sub-committee investigating attitudes to women and girls at school asked, in 2023, how many girls experienced harassment, the answer was stark: ‘every single one of them, and for most it had happened in school’.

This isn’t good enough. We all know that the world girls go into was not designed equally. It is changing, but not fast enough. We believe every girl deserves to experience an environment designed with their interests in mind, so that they expect, and help to shape, an environment that is fair for all. That’s what The Abbey is for.

Find out more

The Girls’s Schools Association, Girls’ Day School Trust, and International Coalition of Girls’ Schools all have more information on the research-backed benefits of all-girls education.

This is a useful summary

Contact Us Admissions Senior School Entry

Talk to us

If you are new to the independent sector, or new to The Abbey, you probably have a few questions to help you make a more informed decision. That is what we are here for – so please do give us a call on 01189 876992, email us at admissions@theabbey.co.uk, or complete our enquiry form and we will call you back as soon as possible.

The team:

Pete Holliday- Director of Marketing and Admissions

Pete has worked in independent education for 13 years, and heads up the team here at The Abbey. An extensive background in educational marketing and admissions, he has been at the school since 2020.

Laura McCabe – Marketing and Admissions Officer

Laura joined The Abbey in 2021 and is responsible for admissions into the Junior School. She works closely with the Junior School Leadership Team in arranging playdates, tours and assessments.

Pamela Durrant – Marketing and Admissions Officer

Pamela is an experienced Marketing and Admissions Officer and is responsible for entry into the Senior School. She joined the team in April 2023, and is available to guide you through the admissions process.


Contact Us Admissions Senior School Entry

FAQ

What is the first step if I am interested?

The first step is to complete our registration form. There is a non-refundable registration fee £100 (UK applicant) or £250 (overseas applicant) but once we have received your form, we will be in touch to arrange the next step in the process.

Are there any deadline dates?

Yes, but not too many:

Deadline for registration

  • 11 December 2023 – Year 7
  • 1 November – Year 12

Deadline for Scholarships applications

Year 7

  • Open 1 June 2023
  • Close 12 December 2023

Year 12

  • Open 1 June 2023
  • Close 1 November 2023

Bursary applications (Senior School only)

  • 24 November 2023

Interview Days

  • November – dates to be confirmed

Entrance Test

Year 7

  • Friday 5 January 2024

Year 12

  • 6 November 2023

Do you offer taster days?

Yes we do. During the Autumn term, Year 6 students are invited in for a Taster Day and get involved in workshops, activity sessions as well as a short informal interview in small groups with a member of the academic team. Closer to half a day in length, your daughter will get a good feel for the school, meet new friends, as well as enjoy our tasty lunch in the dining room.

For other year groups, and admissions enquiries later in the year, we offer Taster Day opportunities that allow girls to sample a typical day at The Abbey.

What is the date of the entrance exam and are there any alternative dates?

The entrance exam is on Friday 5 January 2024 although we do arrange an alternative date in the week following the entrance exam for those unable to attend on the Friday.

What does the entrance exam involve?

The entrance exam is prepared by the school and your daughter will sit papers in English (1 hour – composition and comprehension), Mathematics (1 hour) and Reasoning (45 minutes – verbal and non-verbal).

What preparation is recommended for the entrance exam and are there any practice papers available?

There is no specific preparation required for our entrance exam as we are looking at your daughter’s potential, and how she thinks. For that reason, we do not supply past papers. We realise an exam is a daunting experience so we will make this day as enjoyable as possible.

Do you confirm the individual results of the entrance exam?

No, we don’t for two very good reasons. Firstly, the exam is only part of our decision making process. We place a great deal of emphasis on your daughter’s informal interview as part of her Taster Day and her school references (which we collect prior to the entrance exam) as we believe this tells us as much about her personality and potential as the exam.

Secondly, if things did not go well on the day, and her results were not as expected, it may impact your daughter’s confidence.

Do you contact current schools for references?

Yes, we contact your daughter’s current school for a reference in advance of the entrance exam.

How soon after the entrance exam will we hear if we have been offered a place?

We normally inform families by the end of the first week in February.

What documentation is required to accept a place and is any fee payable?

We require a Parent Contract signed by you as parents together with a non-refundable deposit of £1,000. Please note that £500 is credited to the first term’s fees and £500 is refunded at the end of your daughter’s education with us.

Can we apply for deferred entry to Year 9?

Yes, your daughter can sit for Year 7 entry on the basis that you wish to defer to Year 9 entry. All applications are considered on an individual basis and are at the Head’s discretion.

What is the timing of the school day?

8.30 am to 3.45 pm.

What are the fees for the Senior School?

Please click here to see our Fees page.

Do you offer before and after school care?

Yes, students can arrive from 8.00 am in the morning and after school we have a Homework Club which runs from 3.45 pm to 5.45 pm.

Are bursaries available in the Senior School?

Yes, bursaries are available in the Senior School. Please contact our Bursaries Team for further information via bursaries@theabbey.co.uk.

Are scholarships available in the Senior School?

Yes, we offer both Academic and Specialist Scholarships in the Senior School.
Academic Scholarships are based on the results of assessments and provide a 10% discount per year on fees.

Specialist Scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport can be applied for online as per the following link –https://theabbey.co.uk/admissions/scholarships.

A Specialist Scholarship lasts for three years and can be applied for again during the Summer Term of Year 9. A Specialist Scholarship provides a discount of £500 per year on fees for Art, Drama and Sport and free tuition at school on one instrument for Music.

What are the criteria that are considered when applying for a Specialist Scholarship?

Please see our Scholarships page for information.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

We offer a 5% sibling discount for the eldest daughter when three students attend The Abbey at the same time.

Do you offer any dedicated transport options?

We have a comprehensive transport system. Click here for details.


Contact Us Admissions Senior School Entry

The School Day

Students should be in school by 8.30am ready for registration at 8.35am. Lessons end at 3.45pm. Students are welcome to stay in school each evening until 5.45pm, during which time they will be supervised in the After School Homework Club from 3.45pm until 5.45pm if they are not doing organised activities. Students who stay in homework club may leave at any time up to 5.45pm when homework club closes. Parents collecting their daughters should text them on arrival so that students can come down to Reception.

Timing of the School day

7:45

Building open to students

8:35

Registration

8:40

Assembly or Form Time

9:00

Period 1

9:40

Period 2

10:15 – 10:35

Break

10:35

Period 3

11:15

Period 4

11:50 – 13:00

Lunch

13:00

Registration and Period 7

13:40

Period 8

14:15 – 14:30

Break

14:30

Period 9

15:10

Period 10

15:45

End of day


Events Abbey News Term Dates

Key Dates

Deadline for Scholarship applications

  • 23 September 2024 – Year 7
  • 30 September 2024 – Year 12

Deadline for registration

Year 7

  • 15 October 2024 – Year 7
  • 22 October 2024 – Year 12

Bursary applications (Senior School only)

  • TBC

Entrance Tests, Scholarship assessments and interview

  • 5 November 2024 – Year 7
  • 12 November 2024 – Year 12


Contact Us Admissions Senior School Entry

The Process

1. Enquire

Complete our enquiry form so you don’t miss out on any important information or announcements.


2. Visit

We invite you to visit the school. Whether it be Little Knellies (ages 3-4), Juniors (Reception to Year 6), or Seniors and Sixth Form (Years 7-13), we strongly encourage you to come and see us. A warm welcome awaits, along with a tour of the facilities that will provide an authentic view of school life and the sense of whether this is the right place for your daughter. We hold regular open events, or are happy to arrange individual tours.


3. Register

Once you have visited The Abbey, we encourage you to complete our registration form. There is a non-refundable fee of £100, and once received, we can start the formal assessment process for your daughter.

For international students, please complete this registration form along with a non-refundable fee of £250.


4. Interview

We place great importance on getting to know your child, and we will invite them in to meet a member of our academic staff for an informal chat. It is here your daughter will have the opportunity to talk about her favourite subjects, hobbies, ambitions and passions, and we are able to gauge how she will fit within this fabulous environment.


5. Assessment

We want every child to be happy at The Abbey. When they are, their work excels. So to ensure each student entering the school will cope with the academic levels in school, we assess every girl - in Maths, English and Reasoning. Applicants for Year 12 have a one-hour general paper and two 30 minute subjects papers (subjects to be studied at A Level or IB).

Once marked, the Head will review the assessments and interview notes, and inform the admissions team of their decision whether we can offer a place.


6. Joining the school

If offered, your daughter’s place is secured with a refundable £1,000 deposit.


Contact Us Admissions Senior School Entry

Admissions

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The process

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The Abbey IP (Ideas + Passion)

The Abbey IP (Ideas + Passion)

The Abbey IP programme is a world of learning and enquiry beyond the confines of any curriculum. It comprises workshops, talks and clubs.

Although there is a wide range of extra sessions available, many prompted by student interest, The Abbey IP happens every day. Every time our teachers explore a subject in more depth, let a student discussion run, take on a challenging topic for the sheer fun of what it can teach us, they are taking an Abbey IP angle.

In an Abbey IP workshop, students might learn:

  • how the Ancient Greeks measured the circumference of the world
  • how the music of one country shaped the writing of another
  • why women are more likely to be injured in car crashes and what it tells us about society
  • what calculus is and how it relates to chaos theory and what it has to do with the weather next week
  • about quantum entanglement and where it could lead us
  • about the achievements of the Indus Valley civilisation
  • about the voyages of Leif Eriksson and Madog ab Owen Gwynedd, where they went or might have gone, and why it matters

Most of all our students learn to ask hard questions, distrust easy answers and think for themselves.

At Senior School The Abbey IP covers all the enrichment and additional activity we offer from the age of 11 right up to the enhanced programmes students enjoy to support access to the most competitive universities.The Abbey IP is built into every lesson and curricular club. In the Lower School, lessons feature ToK Hooks. These might last moments or a few minutes and they relate what is being studied in that lesson to another area of knowledge. Students then connect these hooks for themselves.

All students include IP activity in their work towards their Lower School diploma in Year 9. They continue to follow Ideas + Passion in all the activities through the GCSE and Sixth Form Years.

Scholarship Programmes

The Senior School offers five scholarship programmes of activity:

  • Academic
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Sport

Scholarship awards are made through open competition going into Year 7 and further opportunities are available in Year 9 and Year 11. Scholars take part in extra sessions and activities but crucially they act as leaders, expanding opportunity to everyone in the school. Any student might gain from any of the scholarship programmes as part of their Abbey IP journey.

Scholars’ Award

The ultimate accolade in the Abbey Ideas + Passion programme is the Scholars’ Award.

Over the summer all students in the Lower VI (Year 12) are invited to complete a project. This might support a qualification such as the EPQ or IB Diploma Programme, or it might be for the sheer joy and love of learning. Projects might be essays, pieces of art, film, lab projects: whatever supports each individual’s passion.

Students are encouraged to log all the support they received and then to roam far off the beaten track, under their own steam, following their own adventure in scholarship.

All those who submit projects present their work to staff and peers in the Autumn term. Every entrant is considered for a Scholars’ Award: a substantial research grant supporting independent work during higher education. The award is made on the basis of the summer project along with their academic record and engagement with The Abbey IP during their time at the school.

Every class, every day features the Abbey IP: the Ideas and Passion that make this the most exhilarating and joyous learning environment there is.


Sport Scholarships

Sport Scholarships


The Abbey offer the following:

  • Access to a mentoring programme
  • Opportunity to receive specialist coaching
  • Professional advice on fitness and nutrition
  • Attendance at our annual Sports Awards
  • A £600 annual discount on fees

What do we expect from our Sport Scholar?

  • Performance at a high level in a range of sports and sporting disciplines
  • Competing for the School in all sports in which they are selected
  • Attendance at all Sport Scholars’ meetings
  • Role model on and off the pitch
  • Supporting the work of the PE Department
  • Willingness to assist the PE Department at Open Events as appropriate

Selection and assessment:

  • Applicants to provide references from current sports teachers or club coaches regarding the level at which they are competing
  • Video evidence can also be provided alongside a reference
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an assessment day which includes an interview and assessments in a variety of physical activities

Scholarship application form