What Our Students Say

Alesha, Former John Ruskin Primary School pupil

Settling into Notre Dame has been a seamless and exciting experience thanks to the warm and supportive community here. By promoting the values of independence, respect and kindness, I feel Notre Dame is helping to shape me into a strong and compassionate young woman.

English holds a special place in my heart because I am able to express my emotions and imagination on paper. There's also something magical about the absence of right or wrong answers in English. Outside of lessons, I participate in the athletics club which I feel has improved my confidence and leadership skills whilst helping me form valuable friendships.

I am looking forward to experiencing the diverse opportunities that I know the school will offer me over the next 4 years, including school trips, work experience, and more, all of which will prepare me for my future career as a paediatric surgeon. The joy of interacting with children and the desire to bring smiles to people's faces has inspired this aspiration.

I highly recommend Notre Dame because it is a welcoming and inclusive community that embraces you from the moment you join. It's a place filled with friendship, peace and love and a place where the teachers show genuine interest in your dreams and aspirations, providing invaluable guidance along the way.

Naazeen, Former Michael Faraday Primary School pupil

The people here at Notre Dame are one of the main reasons why this school is so enjoyable. The teachers are caring and other students are helpful – we are truly one big community. There are so many creative opportunities here at Notre Dame, allowing you to express yourself and your feelings. I love Music and am having fun participating in Street Dance club after school.

What I am looking forward to most at Notre Dame is being a Big Sister – I think it looks fun and I want to be able to help others who have been in a similar position to me. So much so that I would like to follow in my Mum’s footsteps and be a nurse in the future; I know Notre Dame will support me to realise this dream.

Diana, Former Surrey Square Primary School pupil

I am grateful for the caring and supportive teachers who have helped me thrive here at Notre Dame. The emphasis on student voice has made me feel empowered and valued, and participating in the range of extra-curricular activities has taught me the importance of teamwork and leadership. I have also learned to be independent in my education, taking revision seriously and excelling in my classwork.

I am excited about the career opportunities the school offers, providing valuable insights into the professional world. My aspiration to study Psychology at Sixth Form and eventually at a prestigious university like Oxford or Cambridge drives me to excel academically.

The school's dedication to preparing students for the future through careers guidance, industry talks, and field trips is commendable. I highly recommend this school for its commitment to empowering young women and nurturing their aspirations.

Caitlyn, Former Josh Ruskin Primary School pupil

I used to be quite shy before coming to Notre Dame, but since joining the school I feel I have grown in confidence and increased my communication skills by throwing myself into school life. I am a proud member of the Gospel Choir, recently performing at St Thomas’ Hospital’s Armistice Service, and participate in Street Dance club after school. My favourite subject is English because we get to discuss and debate different types of literature and I am looking forward to completing bigger practicals, such as pasta making, in Food Technology to test and broaden my skills.

I love helping people and it would be a dream come true to pursue a career as a paediatrician. I know Notre Dame will support me to achieve this – the teachers are excellent and ensure no one is ever left behind in their learning.

Chloe

Moving from primary to secondary school was a significant change, but with the support of the teachers and the amazing environment here at Notre Dame, I feel I settled in quite well. Participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities has broadened my interests, with sports leadership and contributing to the school community being particularly enjoyable. Through these activities, I've developed confidence, independence, and valuable team-working skills.

As I look forward to taking on more responsibilities and embracing further leadership roles, I plan to pursue a career in business or banking. The school's dedication to providing career talks by industry professionals and encouraging us to strive for excellence is helping me get closer to my dream. I highly recommend Notre Dame because of its commitment to nurturing students for their future success.

Amira, Former St Francesca Cabrini Primary School pupil

Secondary school is very different to primary school! But for the better! I have made lots of new friends and am enjoying learning new things and taking part in different activities such as Debate Mate, trampolining and athletics. It has been great to interact with a wide range of people, including professionals from businesses who visit the school to speak to us about careers. Business runs in my family and so it is only natural that I aspire to run my own business one day; the opportunities available here at Notre Dame will certainly help me towards this goal.

Mya, Former Galleywall Primary School pupil

The step up from primary school was a challenging one, but everyone at Notre Dame was extremely welcoming and supportive. It did not take me long to settle in well, especially thanks to my form tutor and Big Sister! I don’t know any other school that has a Big Sister programme and where all the older year groups are so kind and helpful to you. I am looking forward to taking on a leadership role such as a Big Sister, Sports Captain or even Head Girl in the future!

Notre Dame really care about you, your aspirations and your future – they are always talking about careers and regularly have outside professionals and alumni come in to school to speak to us. It is really inspiring. If you want to be focus hard and pursue your dreams, you should definitely come to Notre Dame RC Girls’ School. My ambition is to study Law at university to gain lots of knowledge and skills that will be useful throughout my life, not just a career.

Hira

My time at Notre Dame has been transformative! Engaging in extra-curricular activities such as mentoring younger students and participating in various after school clubs has enriched my experience, allowed me to grow in confidence and developed essential skills such as teamwork, communication and independence. Additionally, attending school trips and reward outings, including the memorable visit to Thorpe Park, has allowed me to create lasting memories and form strong bonds with my peers.

As I continue my journey, I am focused on having fun and shaping my future. I envision myself as a strong and intellectual individual, attending the esteemed University of Oxford and pursuing a career in law to advocate for others. I would definitely recommend this school because of its vibrant community and the dedicated and supportive teachers who make learning a truly rewarding experience.

 Seren, Former St Vincent De Paul Catholic Primary School pupil

I am really enjoying my experience so far at Notre Dame and can feel myself growing as an individual. As well as our academic subjects, there is so much else on offer at the school such as interactive clubs, art, cooking, drama and sport, meaning I can try new things and gain new skills. Being a confident person, I love Drama because it helps me to shine. The subject and my teacher has inspired me to follow a career in the Performing Arts industry in the future.

The school’s diversity has helped widen my understanding of other cultures and beliefs whilst also supporting my mental health and wellbeing, knowing that we are all unique individuals. My recommendation for new starters joining the school it to just stay positive, be yourself, and do not be afraid to ask for help – there is always someone to support and guide you here.

Heidi, Former Albion Primary School pupil

Transitioning from primary to secondary school presented its challenges, but Notre Dame has been so supportive through initiatives like Groundworks. What’s more joining after school clubs such as the Gospel Choir has helped me to create long lasting friendships with students across the school.

English and Science are my favourite subjects, each for different reasons. In English, I love the power of storytelling while in Science, I have enjoyed exploring new topics and participating in fun and exciting experiments. My organisational skills have noticeably improved since being here and I look forward to taking advantage of all the opportunities Notre Dame has to offer in order to learn and grow to my fullest potential.

I have aspirations of becoming a lawyer in the future, utilising my skills and knowledge in English and Drama that I am passionate about. The school's dedication to preparing students for their futures through events such as Careers Week is equipping me with the tools necessary to pursue this career goal.

I wholeheartedly recommend this school for its closely-knit community. The small size ensures everyone knows each other and creates a unique spirit and energy that sets it apart from others.

Fatima

Since joining this school, my confidence has grown significantly, thanks to the supportive environment and encouraging teachers. Among the various subjects, Science has captured my interest because of its endless possibilities and fun experiments.

I actively participate in the EAL club after school to improve my English communication skills, which has been instrumental in building my confidence and integrating into the school community. Notre Dame has not only helped me academically but has also provided opportunities to make friends and work effectively as part of a team. These skills will undoubtedly be valuable in the future.

My ultimate career goal is to be a doctor or nurse, and I believe that the school's guidance and support will help me get one step closer to realising this dream. I appreciate the dedicated and passionate teachers at this school, and I would recommend it to others because of the positive impact they have had on my learning journey.

Xolani, Former Charlotte Sharman Primary School pupil

The move from primary school was a bit scary due to the vast change in size and number of people! But my nerves and worries soon disappeared as everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I am enjoying every aspect of school life at Notre Dame, from our interesting lessons to the range of extracurricular clubs on offer. There really is something for everyone here. My favourite subject is Science because we get to discover new things and carry out exciting experiments that we did not get to do in primary school. I am also enjoying participating in athletics club, netball club and Debate Mate where we get to visit other schools for competitions. I want to be a vet when I am older and can’t wait for what the future holds.