14 October 2021

“I know the studies show that girls do better at girls’ schools, but I don’t need to read them because I feel it every day: the sense of sisterhood and empowerment, the way we lift each other up and ensure we feel safe and supported to explore our fullest potential, free from the fear of mistakes and judgement,” said Deputy Head Girl Molly in a compelling, amusing and touching speech to Year 11 students and parents.

Molly gave the closing talk of the Sixth Form Open Evening, holding the audience’s attention with her reflections on a Sixth Form experience that has seen her achieve academic success alongside the personal growth that enabled a once nervous student to stand up and address the Auditorium with panache.

The evening was the latest event to showcase the myriad of exciting opportunities that the Sixth Form at Woldingham offers: a choice from 27 different A Level subjects taught by passionate and supportive specialists in small classes; the innovative Sophia programme, unique to Woldingham; the array of academic clubs and societies; and a programme of events to help students thrive, not just in public examinations, but in their personal and professional lives thereafter.

“It offers all the benefits of continuity, of being known and nurtured, but it is anything but business as usual,” said Head of Sixth Form, Mr Phil Abbott. “Our students are writing extraordinary stories here and we were able to celebrate our students moving on to the next exciting chapter this summer on the back of outstanding A Level results, whether that be at Cambridge, RADA, Central Saint Martin’s School of Art, or Cornell or MIT in the United States.

There is no cap on ambition here, no ceiling that can’t be smashed. However, whilst we pursue excellence in all our endeavours, our approach is always balanced with compassion and care for the individual. This will always be a community that celebrates achievement in all its forms.”