Fulham Cross Girls' School and Language College

Community, girls

Fulham Cross Girls' School is the only community girls’ school in Hammersmith & Fulham. We are a language college, committed to celebrating our internationalism, promoting language learning and supporting students to become self-aware and confident global citizens. Language learning opportunities fro students and the local community will be further developed within our forthcoming Language Learning Centre, a self-contained centre to be built within Fulham Cross grounds.

Our students come from many ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds and we aim to empower all girls to take full advantage of the educational opportunities we offer.

The school’s examination results have significantly improved in recent years and are on target to improve still further. Our last Ofsted inspection in 2002 noted the very good progress made, the high quality of teaching in many areas and the excellent support for individual students. 

The school’s ethos is to make a positive difference to students through:

• a balanced curriculum up to GCSE level, including vocational courses
• support for all students’ learning, from girls of high ability to those in need of extra help
• a varied programme of out-of-school classes and activities
• paying a great deal of attention to individual students through good pastoral care and a personal and social programme for all girls. We are working to develop citizenship activities through community projects and regular health and well-being sessions
• an excellent careers programme, including mock interviews with employers and work experience placements
• school trips, including visits to other European countries, and outdoor activities weeks. Individual field trips support particular subjects.       

Our facilities include two computer network areas and computers in many classrooms. A large number of laptops are used widely across a range of subjects. We have a flexible learning area, equipped with video, CD-ROM and computer facilities for individual study. Girls are encouraged to take part in the arts and the school has its own drama studio and music suite. 

Fulham Cross Girls' School is targeting ‘gifted and talented’ students, and those who are underachieving through extra activities and increased support for students and families for whom English is an additional language. These are supported by an Education Action Zone, in which Fulham Cross is the lead school with Melcombe, Sir John Lillie and Fulham primary schools, as well as Henry Compton School as our partners. 

The school celebrates achievement and attainment at every age and level. Regular commendations and certificates of merit are awarded to pupils, while parents and carers are invited to attend the school’s annual Celebration of Achievement. 

There is an active school council, which gives girls the opportunity to contribute to the organisation and management of the school. In year 11 the school elects prefects who are expected to make a positive contribution to school events and the smooth organisation of the school day. 

Parents and carers play a vital role in what is achieved and they are expected to support the school by ensuring that:

• the basic expectations of the school, including the wearing of school uniform, are met by all the girls
• girls attend regularly and are not taken on holiday during term time
• homework is completed and the students’ journals are checked and signed weekly
• if there are concerns, stemming from either outside or inside the school, contact is made immediately so that these concerns can be resolved
• they attend parents’ evenings and the annual progress review day. At these meetings it is made clear to families what is required for students to make further progress, and how parents or carers can support them.      

Entry test

All children of parents applying for a place at Fulham Cross Girls' School will be required to take an entry assessment test. The purpose of the test is to assist the school to achieve a genuine spread of ability. The results of the test would place the children into one of three ability bands: 

• band 1 - 25 per cent 
• band 2 - 50 per cent and 
• band 3 - 25 per cent.    

The children will sit the test at Hammersmith Town Hall on Saturday 15 December 2007. Parents will receive further details regarding the test shortly after the closing date. 

How to find out more about the school: 

• Visit the school for an open day during the autumn term.
• For further information contact the school.
• Visit the Ofsted website at www.ofsted.gov.uk 
• For admissions criteria see here.