The Godolphin and Latymer School

Who we are

About the School

Godolphin and Latymer is one of the country’s leading independent day schools for girls. Founded in 1905, it has been both a state grammar school and an independent school in its 113 years. Located in Hammersmith, West London, close to the exciting cultural life of the capital, the school is a dynamic and energetic community of 800 girls, together with approximately 150 teaching and support staff. There are approximately 220 girls are in the Sixth Form, studying for both the IB and A levels. Hammersmith itself is very conveniently situated less than 20 minutes from central London, sitting on a beautiful stretch of the River Thames and with plenty to offer, including several fine restaurants and two of London’s best theatres.

Godolphin and Latymer is an academically selective school and our girls are bright, enthusiastic and inquisitive. They love learning and are increasingly demonstrating their ability to be creative and critical thinkers, keen to solve problems using their own intellectual resources. Teaching here is a most rewarding experience. Girls are motivated and engaged in their learning. Our harmonious community is socially, culturally and ethnically diverse, indicative of the cosmopolitan world of West London. Our catchment area is relatively wide, encompassing all areas of West London, plus a number of areas further afield from which girls are able to commute easily to Hammersmith because of its excellent transport links. (We are a couple of minutes from both of Hammersmith’s tube stations and its bus station.) Relationships between girls and all staff are superb and we place great significance on valuing the individual and expecting the highest of standards in all that we do. The school is governed by principles of mutual respect, tolerance and consideration for others. Girls are very supportive of each other, sensitive and aware of others’ needs and proud of their school and its ethos and history. A fine example of this is the extensive support given to our Bursary Fund by all sections of the school community, present and past.

Pastoral care and working collaboratively with parents is fundamental to the success of our girls. We value good communication between all sections of our community and try to be proactive in keeping up to date all who are involved with the school. The school plays a key role in the local area; girls take part in voluntary work schemes with many local businesses and institutions. We run a number of community events including; a public lecture series, the annual arts festival, monthly tea parties for the local elderly, and the weekly Ancient World Breakfast Club.

The school’s facilities are excellent and the governors are aware of the need to ensure that such standards are maintained. Our sports facilities include a full-size all-weather hockey pitch and three netball courts, which convert into twelve tennis courts during the summer term, all of which are floodlit, and the Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre (new and purpose-built for September 2015), which contains a four court sports hall, a climbing wall, a dance studio and a fitness suite. Our performing arts centre, the Bishop Centre, housed in the imaginatively converted church of St John the Evangelist, together with the Rudland Music School, is also a recent example of the investment that is crucial to the school’s continued development. Teaching and learning resources are plentiful and the use of ICT to facilitate learning is at the forefront of our current strategy.  iPads are used by the girls in learning and all teaching staff are given iPads. The school aims to be forward-looking in its approach to teaching and learning and emphasis is placed on pedagogical development amongst all teaching staff.

Extra and super curricular activities play a fundamental part in the education we offer here. All staff play a full part in this aspect of our school’s life, with numerous opportunities to lead activities, and to develop interests old and new, in school and on visits both in the UK and abroad. Girls are active participants in this programme, both as leaders and contributors, as well as benefitting from the extensive variety of the provision.

Why work at Godolphin and Latymer? 

The staff are thoroughly professional, highly qualified and knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about their own subjects, as well as understanding the importance of the breadth of the educational experience that we provide. 

The school is characterised by a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a mutually supportive approach. Expectations of staff are high, but equally, personal workloads are carefully considered by the supportive leadership team. There are plenty of opportunities for further appropriate professional development and a generous inset budget is provided. Support staff and teaching staff are valued equally for their part in the overall success of the school and there is a strong sense of camaraderie and fun! 

The governors are keen to ensure that staff remuneration is always competitive and that staff are fairly rewarded for their commitment to the school.

Staff turnover is relatively low, indicating a stable staff, yet we also pride ourselves on the welcome and support that we give to new colleagues and we very much value their ideas and contributions. People enjoy working here!

The Godolphin and Latymer School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the receipt of an enhanced DBS certificate and registration with the update service.

The Charity called The Godolphin and Latymer School (charity registration number 312699) is administered by The Godolphin and Latymer School Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee (Company number 3598439).