DODDERHILL Independent Girls School will be merging with RGS Worcester.
The independent Droitwich school for pupils aged four to 16 will remain on the seven-acre site it is on now and continue to grow as a self-funding establishment.
But it will also share the educational resources and facilities within RGS’ family of schools.
Dodderhill and RGS Worcester have been friendly neighbours for many years and already collaborate in areas such as music, art, dance, textiles and digital learning.
Each year many girls from Dodderhill Independent Girls progress to the RGS Worcester sixth-form where they achieve excellent results.
Dodderhill headmistress Cate Mawston, said she was delighted with the news.
“This is a natural development in our successful relationship.
This partnership will enable us to continue to build on our strengths as a small school, by sharing the expertise and facilities of a larger school.
“For example, our girls can use the full-size all-weather sports pitches, hold events at the brand new RGS Worcester Performing Arts Centre, take part in joint musical productions and tours and benefit from an award-winning careers programme.”
Mrs Mawston will have day-to-day responsibility for the running of Dodderhill and will become a member of the RGS Worcester Strategy Group. Following the merger, the RGS Worcester family of schools will continue to operate with a unitary governance structure, and the board, chaired by
Quentin Poole, will welcome some of the current Dodderhill governors in order to provide continuity.
Mr Poole, said: “We look forward to getting to know the Dodderhill community and offering the girls, their parents and staff, the security, stability and opportunities of being a valued member of our group of schools.
“Our partnership will retain all that makes Dodderhill unique, impressive and appealing as a highly attractive school providing an excellent all-round education for girls in Droitwich and the wider region.”
RGS Worcester headmaster John Pitt added it was a unique opportunity for his school to work together with Dodderhill.
“I am excited about what the future holds for our community of more than 1,400 pupils across four schools.”
“Both schools are known as centres of excellence and girls from Dodderhill already join our co-educational Sixth Form of around 200 students and achieve exceptional results.
“There will be new opportunities to enhance our already strong links.
“For example, we envisage some joint staff insets and training, sharing of best practice, extension of
our bus network, and combined concerts at Worcester Cathedral.”
And Mrs Mawston said: “This new partnership between Dodderhill and RGS Worcester will
enable more girls to achieve their full potential and become confident, outstanding young women
who can aim high, fully equipped for the opportunities of the 21st century.”
