 In the High School, academic life is led by the Academic Committee under the leadership of the Deputy Headmistress. Subjects are organised into three faculties: Science & Mathematics, Humanities and Creative Arts.
The academic focus of Gateways is to encourage all girls to achieve the best they possibly can and to equip them with the skills to think critically and learn independently that they will need to succeed in life. Whilst our academic standards are high and many pupils achieve outstanding results, Gateways does not select pupils on academic criteria alone.
The school curriculum is in line with, but not restricted by, the National Curriculum and is both broad and challenging. Pupils sit the Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) at the end of Key Stage 3 (age 14) giving valuable public examination practice prior to GCSE. Girls usually take GCSEs in 9 subjects.
The Stella Programme at Gateways offers opportunities across the curriculum to challenge and stretch all pupils, especially the most able. The Learning Support department helps girls with particular learning needs to fulfil their potential.
Faculties
The Science & Mathematics faculty is made up of the following departments: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, economics and business studies and is based in the new Schofield Building and refurbished laboratories. Drawing on the knowledge and experience of colleagues from related subjects allows the faculty members to benefit from discussing issues where experience overlaps and yet approaches may be different.
Humanities is a large and diverse faculty embracing not only the traditional humanities subjects such as English, history, geography, religious studies and media but also languages, both ancient and modern: Latin, Greek and classical civilisation are offered as well as French, German and Spanish. Most subjects are taught in the Dower House, although modern languages have recently moved into new accommodation which includes a multi-media language laboratory in the new Schofield Building.
The Creative Arts Faculty includes the widest variety of subjects and offers enormous opportunities in terms of both practical and academic study. It consists of the following departments: art, ICT, drama, technology, music and PE. The faculty enjoys the use of excellent facilities including a multi-purpose sports hall and fitness room, art studios, Performing Arts Centre and drama studio and music and food technology rooms. All areas incorporate ICT within their schemes of work using the ICT facilities across the school.
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