Girls walked up a specially made VIP teal-coloured path, the colour of the new School logo and uniform, to enter the new School for the first time.
Mrs Hilary French, Headmistress of the new School, then lead the first School assembly, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.
All girls received a welcome to Newcastle High School for Girls bag containing their new school planners, seahorse shaped chocolates, a card on which to write a wish for their new school and, most importantly, an envelope containing the name of their new House.


Newcastle High School for Girls, is a new independent day school formed by the merger between two leading independent girls’ schools in Jesmond, Central Newcastle High School and Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School, both with a long and rich heritage in the City.


The new school intends to build upon the heritage of academic excellence and pastoral care at both founding schools and will continue to champion the cause of girls’ education echoing the aspirations of the 19th century founders of the original schools.
Hilary French, Headmistress of Newcastle High, and former head of Central Newcastle High School explained: “We have the advantage of being new, meaning we can design all aspects of the School – the ethos, environment and curriculum – to meet the demands of the 21st Century, but we can also build on the very strong heritage of our founding schools, which, between them, have well over 250 years of experience in girls’ education.


“None of us can know what the future holds, but by encouraging the girls to be confident, flexible learners, combined with the characteristics of independence, determination and resilience, they will always be prepared for the challenges of the future.


“We aim to develop outward looking and socially responsible girls who are equipped with the confidence and ability to be the person they want to be and to embrace the opportunities and challenges of adult life. Opportunities will abound to excel academically, develop skills, strengthen character and participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities such as sport, art, dance, music and drama”.


From September 2016, Newcastle High’s Senior School will be based at Tankerville Terrace, following a major refurbishment of the existing Church High site. Meanwhile the Senior School will be based at Eskdale Terrace, previously the Senior School for Central High.


Hilary French: “The reconfiguration and improvement of the Tankerville Terrace site is designed to provide an innovative, enhanced learning environment appropriate for the twenty first century. The impressive design will benefit pupils and staff and complements existing buildings on the site and in the vicinity. It will mean that, in the future, we can continue to ensure the high quality of education enjoyed by our girls”.


Newcastle High’s Junior School is based at Chapman House, Sandyford Terrace, Jesmond, formerly the Junior School of Central Newcastle High School. The plan to create the finest Junior School facilities in the North East at Chapman House is almost complete. In March 2013, the Duchess of Northumberland opened extensive multi million pound refurbishments to Chapman House, and extensive refurbishments to the five acre grounds including two all-weather pitches, together with a new gym and dance studio and outdoor learning spaces are almost complete.


Newcastle High School for Girls is a member of the Girls Day School Trust (GDST). The GDST is the leading network of independent girls’ schools, with 24 schools and two academies in England and Wales.
To see a video of day one, click here
