What it’s like
Founded in 1906, it moved to its present 14-acre site on the outskirts of the town in 1930. The nursery and junior schools are housed in their own buildings in a self-contained area of the grounds. It is a non-denominational school. There are good modern facilities including a sixth-form centre, science and technology block, a learning resources centre, design and technology laboratory and a drama/sports pavilion. A broad curriculum is provided and examination results are very good. Music and drama are strong and involve many pupils; many joint activities with a local boys’ independent school. It is also strong in games, with regular county representatives in a number of sports. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is popular. Great importance is attached to pastoral care and contact with parents.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 720 pupils, 670 day (55 boys, 615 girls), 50 boarding girls. Senior department 11–18, 400 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used. No special skills or religious requirements.

Scholarships & bursaries Scholarships available, academic, creative and music. Also means-tested bursaries for existing pupils.

Parents 75% live within 30 miles; some abroad (10 different nationalities).

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Susan Gorham, appointed 2001. Educated at Manchester University (French) and Homerton (education). Previously Deputy Head at Dame Alice Harpur School. Also ISI inspector.
Teaching staff: 51 full time, 18 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 42.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 75 pupils in Year 11, 95% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 61 (59 over 5 years).
A-levels: 40 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 380.

University & college entrance All 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 30% took courses in science, 30% in engineering, 40% arts.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3–4 at A-level; in addition, all follow a life skills programme. 40% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 6% both.
Special provision: Gifted children, mild dyslexics and those with minor physical disabilities welcomed.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. French compulsory Years 4–9. Regular exchanges to France and Spain.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1–2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 120 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access; interactive whiteboards. Most pupils take text processing up to RSA III.

The arts
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10–15 musical groups including 2 full orchestras, choirs and ensembles. Pupils regularly perform in local youth orchestras, winners in festivals and win scholarships to music colleges.
Drama & dance: Drama is very strong. Overseas tours. Joint projects with Worth School.
Art & design: On average, 22 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design and/or textiles technology also offered. Art school entrants each year.

Sport & activities
Sport: Netball, hockey, rounders, athletics, tennis, volleyball compulsory. Optional: yoga, basketball, aerobics, badminton, football, riding, rowing, swimming, squash and cricket. Sixth formers: golf, squash. Pupils regularly represent county in netball, hockey, volleyball, cricket, tennis, athletics. County and regional champions in variety of sports. Own equestrian team and events.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service compulsory from Year 11. Money raised for charity annually. Up to 15 clubs eg chess, stamps, drama, art, cookery, football, film, riding, judo.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, prefects. School council.
Religion: Inter-denominational assembly compulsory.
Social: Drama, music, debates with Worth. Trips abroad include ski trips, sports tours, concerts, field courses, classics trips. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework without genuine reason might expect first a warning (detention thereafter); those caught with illegal drugs on the premises would be asked to leave.

Boarding 70% of pupils have their own study bedrooms, others share in pairs. Houses of 15–20. Pupils allowed to provide and cook own snacks. 2 weekend exeats a term, flexible according to circumstances. Visits to local town allowed. Casual boarding available.