Headteacher's Welcome
Fide et Fortitudine
By Faith and Fortitude
It is my privilege to welcome you to Westcliff High School for Girls.
I believe passionately in the power of education to create opportunity. I have experienced that power in my own life. At a formative point in my education, I was fortunate to have a teacher who encouraged me and believed in what I could achieve. That belief made a difference to the direction of my life and has stayed with me throughout my career. It has shaped one of my strongest beliefs as a Headteacher: High expectations are not about pressure; they are about believing in what every young person can become.
When I first became Headteacher of WHSG, I was given a copy of Voices of Westcliff High School for Girls, commissioned to celebrate the school’s centenary. Page after page is filled with stories and memories: the Hobgoblin, the Foundation Stone, the trowel, the infamous clock and countless other moments that have become part of the fabric of school life.
What struck me most was not simply the history, but the warmth and character of those memories, and the life-changing impact WHSG has had on the girls who have walked these corridors. That same warmth and character can be felt in our students today: intelligent, talented, curious and full of humour, individuality and ideas. Many return decades later, still connected to the friendships, experiences and people that shaped them, including through the annual Westcliff Old Girls’ Society lunch.
To me, that is what makes a school truly special: when the friendships, experiences and memories become part of who you are, and the school remains part of your story long after you leave.
At Westcliff, we also believe passionately in the power of voice. Every young woman should develop the knowledge, confidence and character to express her ideas clearly, challenge thinking, build relationships and inspire others. We teach our students to be thoughtful and purposeful with their words, understanding that words can hurt and divide, but used with integrity, they can build trust, create hope and change lives.
When a young woman learns to speak with purpose, she learns to lead.
This is at the heart of life at Westcliff. Our four values, Leadership, Enrichment, Scholarship and Kindness, shape the experience we want every student to have here. Students are inspired to be curious and ambitious in their learning, to embrace opportunities beyond the classroom, to develop the confidence to lead and to treat themselves and others with kindness and respect. Above all, every girl should know that she is valued, that she belongs and that she matters.
Founded in 1920, WHSG is a school with a proud history and a forward-looking outlook. Primarily a school for girls, our sixth form also welcomes a number of boys who become an important part of our wider school community. Alongside a strong academic education, our students experience a rich programme of opportunities beyond the classroom, from sport and the creative arts to leadership, trips, clubs and wider enrichment. Our academic achievements open doors, but they are not the destination. They are part of a bigger purpose: giving young people the knowledge, confidence and choices to shape their own futures.
We are proud to be part of the South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT) and our family of schools, working together to share expertise, learn from one another and create opportunities for our students and staff. We also value our place within the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), collaborating with other selective schools across the county. These connections bring fresh ideas, perspectives and opportunities, while allowing us to share our own expertise. We believe strongly in the power of collaboration and what schools can achieve together
This is Westcliff: a place to belong, a place to find your voice, and a place to shape your future.
Miss E Matthews
HEADTEACHER
