Basic Information & Location
Monmouth School for Girls is an independent boarding girls’ school in Monmouth, Wales. Bristol, Birmingham and Cardiff International Airports are slightly over 1 hour from Monmouth, while Heathrow is approximately 2.5 hours away by road. The school was founded in 1982 and moved to its current location in 1897. The school is located on a hill and it is a 10-minute walk to Monmouth Boys in the hillside. Estyn (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education and Training in Wales) inspected the school in 2015 and rated it as excellent in every category. It is a prestigious girls’ school to local parents because of the cheap tuition fee and the outstanding academic performances. To those who wish to study in the school, they will have to apply two years beforehand.
Academic Development
Monmouth School for Girls recognises talent and nurture excellence, providing the best possible springboard for a pupil’s future. The school offers approximately 30 A-Level subjects, including foreign languages such as Latin, French, German and Spanish. Among all, arts, modern language, mathematics and science are popular subjects. Some of the subjects will be taught with the boys in Monmouth Boys. Co-educational teaching at A-Level, along with social events across the school years where boys and girls mix together ensure they develop the ability to build friendships, essential as they head off to university in later years. Academic excellence can be seen in public exams. For 2017 A-Level, 17% were A* grades and 54% were A* to A; for GCSE, 49% of all grades were A*. Many of the leavers goes to competitive universities such as Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities. During their time in the sixth form, pupils receive individual careers guidance, as well as taking part in a comprehensive careers education programme. Since the vast majority of sixth formers go on to undertake degree courses, much of the advice is focused on making good decisions about higher education.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
There are three age-specific boarding houses, each supported by a team of dedicated staff. The boarding houses are shared with some 150 girls from 25 different countries. The staff are highly qualified in pastoral care, with a particular understanding for those who are a long way from home. At weekends they provide a wide range of activities and trips for boarders, often joining with pupils from Monmouth School for Boys. Every Saturday morning girls are encouraged to take part in swimming, rock climbing, archery, sessions in the fitness suite or in house activities such as baking and crafts. Girls are able to sign up to these on a weekly basis. On Sundays, activities range from surfing, trampolining and ice skating as well as an annual trip to Alton Towers Theme Park. There are also more sedate activities such as shopping in nearby Cardiff and Bristol.
Extracurricular & personal development
The school believes it is vital to support each girl in finding a balance between academic and co-curricular activity. Whether it is music, drama, science or sport the girls are interested in, there is something for every pupil at Monmouth School for Girls. Enjoyment is at the heart of co-curricular activities. The sporting facilities upon which they draw are superb; a full sized all-weather floodlit pitch, the outdoor hard courts and sports hall. The exceptional location at the heart of the Wye Valley is especially inspiring for those who enjoy field sports and outdoor pursuits. For those who loves dancing, they may choose to study the Laban Guild Foundation Course, completing a full year in dance and gaining an IDTA Performance Award.
