Life in the Upper School at JCG extends from Year 9 to Year 11 so takes students on the challenging journey of preparing for and eventually sitting their GCSEs.

Moving up to Year 9 is a very exciting time as students mature and develop more independence and begin making choices about their education. Year 9 marks the beginning of GCSE study in the Sciences and from the Spring term students are considering and ultimately selecting their GCSE option choices, with these courses starting on their return from May half term. This is an opportunity to focus on their own areas of interest or perhaps take up exciting new subjects such as Psychology or Media Studies.

Year 10 is a time of focusing the mind and delving deep into the content of their GCSE study. It is also the time where students move up into Senior categories in House competitions so they get the opportunity to compete alongside older students, learning from their experience and benefiting from their mentorship. Year 10 ends with an opportunity to step into the world of work, with their Trident work experience placements.

In Year 11, the challenge of GCSE exams becomes very real, but with the support of their form tutor, subject teachers and our supportive student guidance team, our students are well prepared and ready to excel in these important exams.

In the Upper School, we encourage a culture of belonging, where every student feels valued.

Supporting belonging

The Form tutor is a key link between home and school and usually follows the students throughout their time at College, forging strong relationships. The Tutor, supported by the Head of School, their Assistant and the School Counsellors all work collaboratively with the students and their parents to monitor academic progress and look after the wellbeing of the students. Tutors encourage their tutees to reflect on their progress and seek continuous improvement through the mentoring programme.

Our Sixth form prefects support the academic and personal progress of students through our peer tutoring and mentoring program, which matches Upper school students with Sixth form peer support, at times when they need it most

The Head of School and Tutor team are supported by two Upper School prefects who are appointed at Easter each year from Year 12. The Upper School Prefects are a very valuable extension to the team and support with events including Parent information evenings and GCSE and A level options evenings. They are also proactive in providing support to the Lower School students and regularly lead assemblies and visit forms to help impart wisdom from their recent lived experience.

The Upper School Prefects are supported by a team of Junior Prefects in Year 12 who are each allocated to a different House and work with the Tutors in supporting the students through the challenges that Upper school presents.