Our Aims & Ethos

At Truro High School we believe in ‘Girls First’. There should be no such thing as a typical Truro High School pupil, however, as one of the leading schools in Cornwall, our Mission Statement is:

To provide a personalised and happy all-round education that enables every girl to achieve her life and career aspirations.

We will achieve our Mission by:

• outstanding and personalised teaching and learning;
• encouraging leadership, service and commitment;
• first class pastoral care;
• providing smooth transitions from Nursery to Prep to Senior to Sixth Form;
• spearheading focused university application for first choice success;
• challenging girls to ‘have a go’ and seize the opportunities on offer;
• empowering girls to aim high.

In pursuit of these aims, the School will combine consultation and modern innovation; encourage a partnership between School and parents; develop the professional capacities of its staff; invest in first-class facilities, continue its strong association with the local community and maximise our capacity as the leading school in Cornwall.

Truro High School was founded as a Church of England school by the Bishop of Truro in 1880 and Anglican morals and ethics remain important to us. However, within this setting we welcome pupils of all faiths and none.

In November 2015 Truro High School joined the Methodist Independent Schools Trust (MIST). We believe that the aims and ethos of MIST naturally align with those of our School. MIST sets out its principles as follows:

MIST Mission Statement

The Methodist Church is engaged in education as part of its Christian mission in the world. Its schools will seek to extend the Methodist ethos and character and contribute to diversity in education.

The schools aim:

• to be caring Christian family communities committed to the development of the full potential of each individual, having regard for their personal attributes in addition to their academic aspirations;
• to maintain high educational standards in all their academic, cultural and sporting activities, stimulating excitement in learning and requiring discipline in study whatever the ability of the child;
• to work with and in the communities they serve;
• to worship as Christians in the Methodist tradition; to uphold Christian values in practice as well as in theory and to make religious education a strong feature of the curriculum, whilst welcoming members of other faiths (and none) in a spirit of openness and tolerance;
• to encourage pupils in a critical examination of the standards and values current in society and to discover and develop a personal faith to guide them throughout their lives.

MIST Ethos

Methodist Schools are inclusive and unpretentious communities where individuals are valued, good order is respected, relationships cherished, and where excellence in its widest sense (academic, extra- curricular, lifestyle) is pursued. Methodist Schools encourage a sense of belonging, seek to improve lives and boldly expect the impossible. In Methodist Schools educational experiences and activities bring mind and heart, intellect and passion together. Methodist Schools work in mutually beneficial partnerships with each other and the wider Methodist Church.

Our Goals

During 2015 the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team of Truro High School spent a great deal of time reviewing our current direction and developing targets which will allow us to achieve this vision.

We have five core, strategic goals to achieve our 2020 Vision:

1. To provide excellent teaching and a high quality girls’ only education enabling our pupils to achieve academic success and be prepared for life after school in an increasingly complex world.
2. To maintain our reputation for outstanding pastoral care.
3. To continue to offer excellent boarding facilities and to develop these facilities to attract both UK and overseas boarders by providing a first class boarding experience.
4. To maintain and develop supportive, friendly and open relationships with all members of the School family – pupils, parents, staff, old girls and Governors – and to have a high profile in the local community and further afield.
5. To be led by a strong Governing Body and a visionary Senior Leadership Team.

If you would like to find out more, please click here to read the Truro High School Strategic Plan 2015. Please contact our Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Matthews, by emailing headsPA@trurohigh.co.uk if you have any further questions.