lEArnINg
We understand that every girl who joins Tudor Hall begins her journey from a unique starting point.
Approach to learning
At Tudor learning is not simply about the having of knowledge or the accumulation of information; rather it is in the giving, sharing and knowing how and when to implement what we know.
Tudor girls are encouraged to take risks, develop a growth mindset and to aim high. We are a High Performance Learning (HPL) pathway school, the only one in Oxfordshire and one of fewer than 15 independent schools in the UK working towards the prestigious World Class School accreditation based on cognitive and neuroscience research.
A well-balanced combination of academic and co-curricular learning increases girls’ willingness to take risks, improves social interaction, develops resilience and enhances leadership and teamwork skills. So-called 'soft skills’ learned through the arts, sport, and adventures in the great outdoors allow pupils to thrive and flourish at school and far beyond.
Tudor has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in the performing and creative arts, as well as a commitment to a wealth of individual and team sports at competitive and recreational levels.
Key Stage 3 pupils (Years 7, 8 and 9) experience a discovery curriculum before selecting a broad and balanced programme of GCSE subjects in Years 10 and 11. Teamwork, creativity, leadership and resilience are embedded into lessons, ensuring that pupils’ learning experience is well-rounded and equips them not only with academic qualifications but also with key life skills. Class sizes are small, allowing teachers to support all pupils in reaching their academic and personal potential.
Our dedicated team of staff works with each girl to ensure she selects a broad and balanced range of options that will support her future pathway. Key Stage 4 pupils take GCSE and iGCSE qualifications, whilst Sixth Form pupils select their programme of study from an extensive choice of A Level and vocational options, with some opting to supplement their studies with an Extended Project Qualification or a Leiths Certificate in Professional Cookery.
Find out more about Tudor Hall's teaching and learning in the latest edition of The Tudor Teacher.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 pupils (Years 7, 8, and 9) follow a discovery curriculum encompassing core subjects, humanities, the arts and practical subjects: Mathematics, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, Religious Studies, PE, French, Spanish, Art, Textiles, Design Technology, Music, and Drama.
Experienced, subject-specialist teaching takes places in purpose-built learning spaces across our campus, from the Drama Theatre to the science laboratories, from our 21st-century teaching centre to our bespoke ceramics and textiles facilities.
All girls also follow a Food & Nutrition curriculum designed specifically for KS3 by Leiths Education. They learn practical cookery skills and expand their knowledge of sustainability, seasonal foods, reducing food waste and nutrition. Every pupil gains vital life skills, building self confidence in experiencing new foods, cooking techniques and flavours.
Key Stage 4
We are a selective school; nonetheless at GCSE our value-added typically uplifts girls by one whole grade (1.0) in each subject, compared to their original baseline assessments. This places us in the top 3.5% of UK independent schools for value-added at this level.
We pride ourselves on our bespoke approach to the girls' GCSE studies, allowing them to pursue the combination of courses that are best suited to their skills and talents. All pupils take the core subjects of English Language and Literature and Mathematics. They choose their Science pathway (Dual Science or Triple Science) along with four additional subjects from our broad GCSE offer.
Sixth Form
Sixth Form is one of the most exciting experiences of any young person's educational journey. Find out more in our Sixth Form pages.
Co-Curriculum
Through our extensive co-curricular programme of learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom, we focus on harnessing our pupils’ intellectual, physical and creative potential as well as developing their emotional and spiritual awareness. A well-balanced combination of academic and co-curricular learning increases their willingness to take risks, improves social interaction, develops resilience and enhances leadership skills - everything that will empower Tudor girls to thrive and flourish in their future lives.
More than 200 activity sessions take part every week. These comprise a wealth of sporting, performing and creative arts opportunities and lots more, such as:
Design & Technology
Design Ventura - The annual Design Museum's national competition gives girls the opportunity to work on product design projects which inspire interest and curiosity using different media.
Product, Designer, Maker: Aim Higher - A chance for DT pupils to complete extra work towards their projects and refine their design and practical skills, working with a number of processes and manufacturing techniques including dye sublimation printing, low temperature casting, jewellery making and metalwork, vacuum forming, laser cutting, and rapid prototyping and 3D printing. Pupils have access to a range of computer-aided design (CAD) programmes including Adobe Creative Cloud, 2-dimensional drawing programmes for CNC machining, and 3-dimensional virtual modelling software.
Jewellery Club: For all aspiring jewellery makers at all levels, from simple bought-in components and assembly, to working with finer and more precious materials. Girls explore traditional jewellery-making techniques in a professional yet relaxed and creative workshop environment.
Cookery
Cookery is a popular co-curricular activity and our fantastic facilities and professional teaching kitchen make cooking a real pleasure.
Todd (Year 7) baking club is where it all begins, with our youngest pupils learning how to use the kitchen safely and following a selection of simple recipes. Pupils in the IIs, IIIs and IVs (Years 8 to 10) also have the option of taking part in a baking club to create a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Hester's Cordon Bleu Cookery Classes are available (extra charge) for pupils in the IIIs – UVI (Years 9 to 13) teaching girls to enjoy s love of healthy food, prepare quick and easy suppers and to experiment with new recipes every week; it is an excellent way to prepare them for cooking independently in the future.
Sixth Form girls can opt to undertake the Leiths - L3 Extended Certificate in Professional Cookery, assessed by Leiths School of Food and Wine, who visit our kitchen from their London HQ to complete the assessment.
The Tudor Teacher
At Tudor Hall we recognise that one of the best ways to impact and improve our pupils' academic outcomes is a teaching body engaged in professional development, reflection and improvement.
Our regular publication, The Tudor Teacher, is another way in which our teaching staff collaborate, share best practice and ensure Tudor Hall is at the forefront of contemporary learning. The latest edition is below, including updates on our High Performance Learning journey as a school, how peer observation makes for collaborative classrooms and how paper-free classrooms optimise learning for our Todd (Year 7) mathematicians.
Learning Support
Pupils with additional learning requirements receive targeted support tailored to their individual needs. Pupil Passports are written in conjunction with specialist Learning Support teachers and shared with class teachers, to ensure a consistent approach and to allow the pupils’ voices to be heard.
Where next?
Visit & Join
Sign up for an Open Morning or one of our regular Open Friday events to experience how Tudor empowers every girl to flourish.
We'd love to see you so please get in touch today or call our friendly and welcoming school on 01295 756259.
Tudor Hall, Wykham Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England OX16 9UR
For all Open Mornings, Open Fridays and most visitor events, please use the main gates and driveway, postcode OX16 9UN (What3Words: alarm.empire.showed)