Fairfield High School for Girls
Tradition. Vision. Learning.
Latest News
A Proud History
Fairfield High School is over 200 years old and has seen many changes. It owes its existence to the Moravian Church, a Protestant body originating in the 15th century, in what is now the Czech Republic. The Moravians believed it was their Christian duty to educate the young and ran schools for boys and girls.In 1796 Sister Mary Tyrrell opened a small girls' boarding school. By 1881 the school had moved to the former Sister's house (now the Moravian College). In 1906 they moved to the present main buildings. By this time Fairfield was gaining a reputation for academic excellence, as the Honours Boards testify.
After the First World War, Fairfield became a grammar school and changed to a comprehensive school in 1974. We are now an 11-16 Academy, providing a high quality education for 980 girls.
In September 2004, as part of the Specialist Schools Programme, we became a Science College. Although we promote and encourage the role of women in our fast-moving, science-based, technological society, we continue to offer a broad and balanced curriculum.
Mission
At Fairfield, the Governors, Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Staff work together within a tradition of care and service to promote the highest academic standards for all our pupils. We have very high expectations of behaviour and appearance reflecting excellent standards in the classroom.
Ofsted
Interim Assessment
Schools performing well are inspected less often than other schools. In March 2011, Her Majesty's Inspectors looked at, and evaluated, various sources of information about the school. Their Interim Assessment showed that the school's high performance has been sustained and the next full inspection will be deferred until at least the summer of 2012.
The last full inspection report, published in December 2007, stated that Fairfield is a good school with many outstanding features. Its motto, "Tradition, Vision, Learning" unites its distinguished past with its vision of a very exciting future. It is a "harmonious and lively community to which students are proud to belong and standards are consistently well above average," state the Ofsted inspectors.
"The school is very well led by the Headteacher, ably assisted by a dedicated and energetic senior leadership team. A clear vision for the future has resulted in a common sense of purpose and high staff morale."