What it’s like
Founded in 1896, it lies in delightful grounds and gardens in a large park. The main building, formerly a country house, is part Jacobean and part Georgian. Other handsome buildings are nearby. There have been a number of recent additions, including purpose-built science and prep school buildings, a sports hall and a sixth-form centre. A sound all-round education is provided and examination results are very good. The music, PE, drama and art departments are very active. A large staff permits a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8. A good range of sport and games with notable success in riding and county representation in hockey. A school farm is run by sixth formers. It has an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and Young Enterprise.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 4–18; 478 girls (447 day, 31 boarding). Senior department 11–18, 279 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special religious requirements; favours girls with active extra-curricular interests. State school entry 30% in senior school; many senior pupils from own prep school (enquiries tel 01403 282566).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Scholarships, academic and for other talents, mostly awarded at 16, others at 11. Variable number of bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Trina Mawer, in post from 1992. Previously Assistant Rector at Dollar Academy and Deputy Head at Friends’ (Saffron Walden).
Teaching staff: 36 full time, 42 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 45.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 36 pupils in Year 11: 97% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 62 (57 over 5 years).
A-levels: 31 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 380.

University & college entrance 100% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (13% after a gap year), 10% usually to Oxbridge. 16% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 24% in science & engineering, 50% in humanities & social sciences, 10% in vocational subjects eg speech therapy, education, business.
Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 exam subjects offered (including sociology and psychology).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects plus general studies or critical thinking at AS-level (optional at A-level). 35% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 25% both.
Vocational: Work experience available; also word processing and IT qualifications.
Special provision: Some individual help can be arranged.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; Italian at GCSE. Languages taught from age 8. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1–2 lesson/week in Years 7–10) and across the curriculum. Pupils may take Clait or ECDL. 38 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), most networked and with email and internet access. Bank of laptops for classroom use.

The arts
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument or voice; instrumental and vocal exams can be taken. Broad range of musical groups including choirs; emphasis on chamber music. Regular participation in local and national events. Pupils prepared for university and conservatoire entrance.
Drama & dance: Both offered as discrete subjects and as part of performance studies. LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions, all in house productions. Regular performances in local community.
Art & design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 5 A-level. Painting, stained glass, textiles, printing, graphics, sculpture, ceramics offered, also figure drawing at local college. Students regularly accepted for art college.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, cross country, badminton, rounders, athletics compulsory. Optional: trampolining, fencing, judo, jazz, keepfit, riding. Sixth form only: squash, golf, self-defence, HRF etc. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. Regional volleyball champions; county and regional hockey players.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional for 2 years at age 16+. School farm run by sixth form with help of younger pupils. Clubs include debating, chess, trampolining, choirs, Young Enterprise, art, drama, judo.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, elected by staff and pupils. School Council.
Religion: Church of England school: short religious assembly twice weekly.
Social: Annual ball and discos. Organised trips to France, art trips to Italy, ski holidays in Alps, water sports trip to Spain. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car to school. School tuck shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect discussion with the subject teacher; those caught smoking on the premises should expect a warning, then parental involvement, suspension and, finally, expulsion; drug abuse would incur immediate expulsion.

Boarding 40% have own study bedroom, 20% share with 1 other; 40% in dormitories of up to 6. Qualified nurse on site. Central dining room. Visits to the local town allowed for all age groups.