Junior School Director of Studies

"Northwood College is EXCELLENT in every category" - ISI inspection report, March 2012.

Northwood College is an independent day school for girls, which was founded in 1878 in Central London.  By 1892 it had moved to its present site on Maxwell Road.  Careful, planned development over the decades has ensured that the College has facilities which enable it to provide a high quality of education appropriate to modern needs.  Further development is outlined in the school's strategic building plan over the next ten-year period.  

The completion of a new Performing Arts block, comprising drama studio, recital hall, three teaching rooms including an ICT suite of 16 MAC computers, 10 smaller practice rooms, offices, assembly area and conservatory, in October 2004, marked the beginning of this development. Two new ICT suites opened in September 2005, providing four suites throughout the school plus a mobile bank of laptops. A new Early Years Centre, called Bluebelle House, containing 14 PCs for Nursery and Reception classes, opened in April 2009. In addition, there are approximately 60 interactive classboards.

Our Ethos

Teaching at Northwood College is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. Girls are of above average ability, motivated and keen to learn. They come from a wide variety of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and all the world’s major religions are represented by the girls – as well as a number of the minor faiths.  The atmosphere at Northwood College is unique.  Relationships between girls and between girls & staff are excellent. We are an extremely harmonious community that places great emphasis on valuing the individual and expecting the highest standards of behaviour in order to maintain the principles of mutual respect, tolerance and consideration for others which characterise our community.  There are approximately 750 girls aged 3-18 on roll, with approximately 100 in the Sixth Form. 

As girls are able, the pace of teaching is brisk.  Our unique “Thinking Skills” initiative challenges us all to consider the way we teach so that we enable our girls to be able to think critically and creatively, and thus help to prepare them for the rigours of the future.  Staff are expected to be committed fully to this programme and training is provided in support of this.

We believe that it is important for every girl to develop her individual talents – whether academic, musical, dramatic, artistic, sporting or organisational.  Every girl, from our youngest nursery pupil to our most sophisticated sixth former, is valued for her own unique contribution to the school community.

We encourage girls to recognise their own achievements and those of others.  Girls display mutual respect and understanding.  Initiative, independence, social responsibility and concern for others are highly valued.  We offer a strong system of pastoral care which ensures that every girl feels confident and secure.  The College has a warm, friendly atmosphere, and older girls take opportunities to help younger ones.