Dear Parents and Carers ​ Due to the adverse weather conditions school will be closed today (6th January 2025). A letter from Mrs Young will follow.

It was a joy to witness the fabulous, electrifying, well-crafted production of Dracula as a school, the experience with the intention to not only educate us but to transport us into a spine-chilling, sinister Gothic world. On Tuesday 12th November 2024, 40 A-Level English Literature and Theatre students had the thrilling treat of witnessing The Black-eyed Theatre Company’s performance of the timeless tale, Dracula, adapted by Nick Lane, but originally written by Bram Stoker. Upon entering the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton, we were engulfed into an unnerving atmosphere due to the intimacy of the setting, with excitement and fear overwhelming us as we patiently anticipated the arrival of the Count. Before the performance even began, a beautiful yet minimalistic set was posed in front of us, complimented brilliantly by a powerful and haunting soundscape. The sheer versatility of the set became even more evident as the production went on, creating smooth transitions between locations as we travelled beyond the walls of the theatre into the gloom of Transylvania and later to the bleak city of London. As time dissipated whilst we waited for the show to begin, the lights grew even more dim and fog began to suffocate the wooden set, ambushing our vision to conceal the darkest parts of the stage, before it was inhabited by the actors, to enhance the impending terror that gushed through our veins. Piercing red roses and green foliage climbed the wooden set, the crimson colour of the flowers foreboding to a loss of life, symbolic of blood and fear, yet also of love, enticing the audience even more to want to know why it was a rose and its cutting vines that was chosen to strangle the wooden walls of the set. Footsteps grew louder on the uneven cobblestone surface as the actors crowded the stage. A wonderful cast of six allowed for a divine telling of the tale, with a magnificent portrayal of all the characters, using the technique of multi-rolling to bring them all to life, with great use of physical and vocal skills, paired with gorgeous costume pieces which fully encapsulated the Victorian Era, allowing for all characters to be easily distinguished. Unease and terror were indefinitely felt in the intense scene of the almost endless voyage, where one by one each member of the crew perished in the lonely waters due to the works of supernatural forces, a key Gothic trope. Count Dracula’s presence grew even more ominous throughout as he feverishly stole the lives of his victims, with Lucy losing herself due to his satanic compulsion of her mind. It felt as if our fate also laid in the hands of the Count as his presence made us all shiver. Choral moments heightened the eeriness of the production, the use of coffins and stray-jackets key examples of the mental torment being faced. Moments of love between Mina and Lucy, Mina and Jonathan, and Lucy and her love interests revealed the beauty and complexity of each relationship on stage, chemistry easily undeniable between the actors. Without a doubt, the Blackeyed Theatre Company’s touring production of Dracula is a must-see, perfectly telling the famous Gothic tale. Talented actors were able to use their physicality to bring the production to another level, flood lighting and the versatile set-pieces and props projecting the main message of how vampirism leads to the downfall of man. It was a great learning experience for all students and staff, expanding our repertoire of Gothic texts to deepen our understanding. And, undoubtedly, the crowd erupted into a deafening applause as the brilliance could not go unnoticed, elation ensnaring the senses, the buzz after leaving the theatre being almost indescribable. It was a pleasure to be in the same room as the impeccable cast, and it would indeed be an honour to witness a Blackeyed Theatre Production again. So, make sure to look out for a chance to see the production, you will indeed not be disappointed!

On Thursday 10th October the Art department enjoyed a day out to Manchester City Art Gallery and the University of Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery with our Y11, 12 and 13 students. The traffic was kind and the autumn sunshine made the day even more beautiful. All of our students were perfect company- they listened, looked, laughed and shared enthusiasm for the different artworks each liked or were fascinated by. The 6th form were treated to a highlights tour by gallery curators at the Whitworth to provide extra insight and context to some key artworks. It was here that the Barbara Walker (b.1964, Birmingham, UK) exhibition charts her compelling figurative practice from 1990s to today. Being Here  presents over 70 extraordinary artworks, including rarely seen paintings, her Turner Prize nominated drawing series  Burden of Proof  (2022-23), and a newly commissioned printed wallpaper  Soft Power  (2024). For over twenty-five years, Walker has been making intensely observed and empathetic figurative work and the exhibition was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike. Our young artists left us some soundbites about their day…     I have a few favourites, all in the Manchester City Gallery most notably the Sirens and Ulysses , 1837 by William Etty because of its size and detail. I instantly knew it was retelling the Odyssey, and I really liked the portrayal of Odysseus and his crew. I also really liked Lobster in Chair, 1992 by Pamela Meiyee Leung because it was so funky in the blend of human and animal.    The most fun was probably the Manchester City Gallery also, I wish we had more time there since there was so much to see but I really enjoyed the pre-Raphaelite works and the Dutch still lifes. Barbara Walker's exhibition of all her work in the Whitworth was also really enjoyable. Vanishing Point  was very insightful, and I liked how she subverted the audiences' views of the famous and classic old master paintings to bring light to black figures.    One of my favourite paintings was probably ‘Battledore'  by Leonard Campbell Taylor because it was so small but so detailed and I loved how intricately he painted the dresses. Another favourite was Lucienne Day's silk mosaic 'Enigma' because it was very interesting how she found a new way to work with textiles. I also loved all of Sickert's and Gwen John's pieces. The most fun part of the day was definitely the coach trip but also sitting and sketching pieces in the art gallery!   I loved spending more time with my friends and just sharing that awe when we found beautiful paintings. It was great helping each other whenever we found an artwork related to someone else's theme and then calling them over to show them. The fun atmosphere on the bus and the games we played is something I'll always remember.    I really loved 'The Goths in Italy'  by P.F. Poole and the one with the nymphs that I can't remember the name of- I just loved the way they were painted and how soft the artists made the skin look.   I was particularly drawn to  'Astarte Syriaca' (1877) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in Manchester Art Gallery and 'Attitude'(1998) by Barbara Walker in the Whitworth Gallery. Despite differing in technique and painting style, both artworks depict women; overwhelming the viewer with the boldness of their presence. I really loved both artworks as the empowerment of women is a clearly identifiable thread woven into the fabric of art history.   My favourite artwork from the Manchester trip was in Manchester Art Gallery: ‘Byron’s Early Love, A Dream of Annesley Hall’ by Edward Matthew Ward, because it combines the imagery of objectified femininity and romantic symbolism that I like to explore within A Level Art, as well as linking to a literary figure who I love! The most fun part for me was getting to sit and sketch from some of my favourite paintings, and getting time to really admire the skill put into them.     My favourite artwork from the day was probably 'Morning Sun, Buenos Aires' by  Benito Quinquela Martin. I loved the way the artist used the paint and kept it very thick and unblended, and I love his use of colour in this piece. The Barbara Walker exhibit in the Whitworth was a personal highlight of the day: I love how she highlights people who have been overlooked in history.   A huge thank you to staff and students who all contributed to this enjoyable day and valuable experience for our GCSE and A-level artists. Mrs Arrowsmith

On Wednesday 2nd October, 4:30pm-7:30pm, we will be holding our annual Meet The Tutor Evening. The event provides parents/ carers with the opportunity to meet their child's form tutor and our pastoral staff. The role of the Form Tutor has developed as part of our pastoral changes and, as far as possible, they will stay as your child's Form tutor throughout their time at WGHS. This is an important opportunity to develop home-school links and support your child now and into the future. This will not however, be an opportunity to have feedback on your daughter's progress in individual subjects; this will continue to be fed back to you through progress reports and year group parents' evenings. To meet your child's Form Tutor please book an appointment by visiting: https://wghs.parentseveningsystem.co.uk During the evening there will also be various workshops and a demonstration of our Parent App. Please note there is no parking available on site but we have made arrangements with Wolverhampton College and Wolf Mountain to use their parking facilities. Please park courteously and be considerate of our neighbours if parking on streets in the school vicinity. We look forward to seeing you there.

Please note Junior Choir and Vocal Ensemble (Tuesday and Wednesday) postponed until 24th and 25th September. Musical Theatre will take place after October half term. All other activities start week commencing 16th September 2024.

Please note activities during Enrichment time began week commencing 9th September. Afterschool sessions will start week commencing 23rd September. Students must register their interest in afterschool sessions on the Microsoft Form that was emailed to them by Miss Canlett by Wednesday 18th September so consent forms can be sent home.

Former WGHS student, Dr Emma O'Dowd, has appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning alongside Fiona Castle (wife of Roy Castle), to talk about Roy’s legacy and the fantastic work done by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation - the charity which was created from the proceeds of Roy’s Tour of Hope which took place in the final months of his life. We thank Emma’s family for bringing this to our attention. They are incredibly proud of her achievements. Emma has gone on to become a consultant respiratory physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. She was awarded a PhD entitled  Factors influencing the diagnosis and subsequent prognosis in patients with lung cancer  in April 2017, which was funded by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Emma’s expertise are in lung cancer screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer. Congratulations Emma, you have gone on to such incredible things and we are very proud to be a part of your story. The segment can be seen on the BBC iPlayer and was shown around 8:15am this morning.

Please see below details of the Innovate Non Halal Restaurant Menu for Autumn Term 2024 along with tariff. Keep an eye on our Social Media as we will be promoting upcoming theme menus.

Wolverhampton Girls' High School (WGHS) is proud to announce another year of exceptional GCSE results, reflecting the hard work, dedication and commitment of our students, staff, and the entire school community.  GCSE Results 2024   99% GCSE pass rate  48% Grades 8 & 9  71% Grades 7-9  89% Grades 6-9    Highlights   83% of our students achieved 7-9 in Maths  63% of Geography students achieved an 8-9  81% of Food Prep & Nutrition students achieved 7-9  87% of RS students achieved 7-9    A huge congratulations for the 14 students who achieved the incredible feat of earning 10 GCSEs at grades 8-9, Saria, Emily D, Lola, Mollie, Tanishka, Yara, Sade, Oko, Priyaa, Sheoli, Matilda, Vihansa, Emily S and Penny.      Headteacher Trudi Young expressed her pride in the students' accomplishments, stating,   "Congratulation to each and every one of our Year 11 students, we are so proud of you.   The results are a remarkable testament to the academic excellence and dedication of our students to their studies.  We look forward to welcoming back our students in the Sixth Form. "  We are incredibly proud of all our students and hope they have a fantastic rest of their summer break before continuing their education journey in September, be that at WGHS in Sixth Form or elsewhere. Class of 2024, we wish you the very best of luck for the future.

WGHS is delighted to announce our Year 13 students have achieved outstanding A Level results this summer.  Their dedication and hard work over the past two years in Sixth Form has truly paid off.  They have been a fantastic cohort, and we are extremely proud of them all.  Results Highlights 2024:   100% A Level pass rate  45% of grades awarded at A* or A 75% of grades awarded A*-B   Particular success was seen in Russian, German and Latin, with 100% of students achieving A*-B; Additionally, over 94% of Geography students, and 85% of English students achieved A*-B. There were significant improvements in Maths and Chemistry with 75% of students achieving A*-B.  Many of our students are now heading off to university this September, with a significant number gaining places at prestigious ‘Russell Group’ universities including Oxford, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle. Our students will study a diverse range of courses including Medicine, Dentistry, Biology, Computer Science, Maths and International Relations. We wish them all great success.   A special congratulations to Harriet, Laana, Aymah, Cyla, Amrit, Mariam, Stepheny, Isabella, Sahasra and Isabelle for their outstanding achievement of straight A*s. Our congratulations also to the 46 students who all achieved A*/ A grades across 3 or 4 A Level subjects.  Headteacher, Trudi Young, expressed great pride in the students' achievements, "Congratulations to our Year 13 students.   We are so proud of each and every one of you. You have worked incredibly hard and achieved fantastic results. Indeed, these examination results represent significant increases in the number of students attaining the top grades.   They are testament to the hardwork and support of students and staff.  During your time at the school, you have fully embraced the wide ranging opportunities both in and out of the classroom developing a wide range of skills along the way and exhibiting our school values of care, courtesy and cooperation with respect at the heart of all you do.  Thank you for your contributions to our school.   Well done!  From all at Girls’ High, we wish you the very best for the next steps.”  Director of Maths, Mr Brocklehurst, was delighted with the results, “The Maths department has seen an increase in both A*/A now at 54% and A*-B now at 75%. With a growing Maths cohort in the school these grades reflect the hard work and efforts of students and teachers. Our grades are significantly above the national averages and go against the flatline in performance nationally for maths. We are all immensely proud of what our students have achieved.”  Miss Husein, the Curriculum Leader of Chemistry, is thrilled with the A-Level Chemistry results. 'Our students have achieved outstanding results, with a significant increase in A*/A grades and A*-B grades. These results reflect the tremendous hard work and dedication of both our students and teachers. We are extremely proud of their achievements, which stand well above national averages and highlight the exceptional progress made in our chemistry department.' Our students are now deservedly going to enjoy the rest of their summer break before embarking on their next steps be it University, Degree Apprenticeships or taking a gap year, we wish them all the very best for their future.

The beloved musical ‘Guys and Dolls’ is originally based on Damon Runyon’s short stories which celebrated a world of Broadway that grew out of the Prohibition era. The storyline follows the exploits of Nathan Detroit as he searches for a location to run his illegal dice game, all while dealing with the persistent demands of his fiancée, Miss Adelaide. Meanwhile, the gambler Sky Masterson takes on a seemingly impossible bet to woo the righteous mission worker, Sarah Brown. The story revolves around high-stakes gambling, unlikely romances, and the search for redemption and love.  Within seconds of entering the hall, I was immediately transported back in time to 1950s New York City. The extravagant set design immersed the audience into the play entirely, from the bustling streets of New York, all the way to the spirited bars of Havana.   The sheer talent of the students involved in the play was incredible, with each and every member of the cast showcasing an aptitude for theatre. The vocals of the cast were astonishing; from the heartfelt ‘I’ve Never Been in Love Before’ to the humorous undertones of ‘Adelaide’s Lament’. Furthermore, the choreography of each musical number was exquisite such as ‘A Bushel and a Peck’, which engrossed the audience into the glamorous nature of the Hot Box Nightclub.  While acknowledging the talent of those on stage, it is also important to appreciate every person involved behind the scenes such as the costume and props team, the tech and sound team, and the stagehands. The costume design allowed the atmosphere of 1920s New York to be woven into the very fabric of the play as the story unfolded. Each costume was intricately detailed and masterfully sewn. The tech team’s insightful use of lighting created the illusion of a police chase with their arrangement of red and blue flashing lights. Their use of the spotlight could immediately draw all of the audience’s focus onto one character on the stage, as well as creating chaos in the police chase scenes.  However, the school show would not have been able to go ahead without the help and guidance from our teachers; Miss Carr, Miss Keise, Miss Langston, Mrs. Booton-Ford, Mrs. Gillard, Miss Smith, Miss Collisson, Miss Rowe, and the director, Mr Stonhill. All of the teachers threw themselves into the production of the play and even occasionally appeared on stage themselves!  Overall, Wolverhampton Girls’ High School’s production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ was an utterly immersive experience that truly showcased the talent of the pupils. One audience member described the production as “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”  By Elliana - Y12

This year, the school’s talented pupils will transport audiences to 1920s New York City for our production of the beloved show Guys and Dolls. The immersive story brings to life the gritty streets of Manhattan and the lively bars of Havana, providing the backdrop for one of the most unlikely love stories in musical theatre. The pupils have already showcased their skills portraying the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties during House Arts. The cast will fully recreate the vibrant world of gamblers, gangsters, showgirls, and missionaries originally depicted in the 1950 Broadway premiere. Expect an evening brimming with romance, corruption, excitement, and iconic musical numbers. We have 2 shows taking place on 2nd and 3rdJuly, tickets are £7.50 and are available on the School Box Office from 9am on Friday 14th June! To purchase tickets please click here