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Colston's Girls' School 科斯顿女校,

Cheltenham Road, Bristol BS6 5RD
Tel: 0117 942 4328 Fax: 0117 942 6933
Website: 
• GIRLS, 10–18, Day
• Pupils 443, Upper sixth 45
• Termly fees £1558–£2278
• GSA
• Enquiries/application to the Head Mistress’s PA

What it’s like
Founded in 1891, it is an urban, inner-city school with a single site. The original buildings form the nucleus of the modern school and have been extensively augmented to provide very good facilities, most recently for languages and music. It has good links with the city and with Bristol University and, while the majority of girls live in Bristol, about one third travel from further afield (Chepstow, Gloucester, Bath etc). Every girl is treated as an individual and encouraged to discover her own strengths and gifts so that she can further them. The teaching is good, as are the examination results. As a Christian foundation, daily assemblies are valued and religious education is Christian but non-denominational. A good range of standard sports, games and activities. There is a big commitment to drama and to music, with a strong choral tradition.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 10–18; 443 day girls.
Entrance: Main entry age 10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade B (including in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required; C of E foundation, but all denominations welcome. 90% from state schools (plus small number to sixth form).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 13 pa academic scholarships, value £100–£1000 pa (6 at 11 and 7 at 16). Variable number of bursaries at 11, 14 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch is optional extra in some years.

Head & staff
Head Mistress: Mrs Lesley Jones, appointed 2003. Educated at Maidstone School for Girls and Leeds University (geography, economic history). Previously Deputy Head at Wellington School, Somerset.
Teaching staff: 30 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 37.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 67 pupils in fifth: all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects, average in 9.3 subjects, with GCSE score of 62 (59 over 5 years).
A-levels: 45 in upper sixth: 9% passed in 4 subjects; 80% in 3; 9% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 311.

University & college entrance 82% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year). 13% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 18% in science & engineering, 55% in humanities & social sciences, 9% in art & design, 5% in music. Others typically go on to art college.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4–5 subjects at AS-level (broad range), 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 27% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills implicit in all subjects; not separately assessed.
Vocational: Work shadowing available.
Special provision: Dyslexia co-ordinator oversees any dyslexic pupil, liaising with form and teaching staff.
Languages: French, German, Russian, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE and A-level; 1-year Japanese course in sixth form. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, Spain and Russia.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 75 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), most networked and with email and internet access; some pupils also have own laptops.
All lower sixth pupils take ECDL.

The arts
Music: Up to 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 17 musical groups including orchestras, chamber orchestra, chamber groups, choir, chamber choir, gospel choir. 15 pupils are members of county schools orchestra.
Drama & dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and other productions.
Art & design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 8 A-level. Design also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Swimming, hockey, netball, athletics, tennis compulsory. Optional: aerobics, body tone, squash, badminton, volleyball. GCSE PE, A-level sports studies may be taken. England team representatives at cross-country, gymnastics and trampolining.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional for sixth form. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, public speaking, computing, design, Christian Union, drama, Young Enterprise.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Prefects & houses: Senior prefect management team selected by sixth form and staff.
Religion: Religious worship encouraged. Services in church once a term, with major Commemoration at Bristol Cathedral.
Social: Debates, choir, drama productions, dance with other schools. Organised trips to eg Russia, Italy, Austria, France, Greece. A few pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Small tuckshop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline A co-operative approach between home and school. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a discussion with staff member; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.