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Northampton High School,北安普敦中学 北安普敦高级学校 Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone, Northampton NN4 6UU
Tel: 01604 765765 Fax: 01604 709418
• GIRLS, 3–18, Day
• Pupils 844, Upper sixth 45
• Termly fees £1660–£2440
• GSA
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1878, it moved from the town centre to its present semi-rural site in Hardingstone in 1992. Its purpose-built premises offer a wide range of facilities including a sports complex, indoor pool and a separate sixth-form area. An Anglican foundation, promoting Christian values, it welcomes girls from other religious backgrounds. Teaching is excellent and examination results very good. Emphasis is also placed on pupils’ personal development. A range of sports is available including rhythmic gymnastics, in which there has been national success in last three areas. Many extra-curricular activities at lunch-time or after school, including Young Enterprise, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and local community service.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 844 day girls. Senior department 11–18, 517 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 9, 11, 13 and 16. NFER tests and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C including English (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 40% of senior intake; 50% from own junior department.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 20 pa scholarships in senior department: 10 academic (5 at 11, 5 at 16), value £500–50% of fees; 2 pa each in art, design & technology, drama, music and PE (1 pa at 13 for 3 years, 1 at 16 for 2 years), value £100 pa. Also 2 academic scholarships, £100 pa at 9 (for 2 years). Variable number of bursaries, according to financial need. Textbooks and exam fees included in fees.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs L A Mayne, appointed 1988. Educated at Selhurst Grammar School and Bristol University (maths). Previously Deputy Head at Shrewsbury High and Deputy Head at Priory Girls Grammar, Shrewsbury.
Teaching staff: 73 full time, 23 part time.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 64 pupils in upper fifth: 92% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 7% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 59 (60 over 5 years).
A-levels: 56 in upper sixth: 91% passed in 4+ subjects; 9% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 434.

University & college entrance 98% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a range of degree courses, in science, engineering, arts, law, modern languages and vocational studies.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects offered, 25 A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, most take AS and A-level general studies and key skills ICT.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Special needs co-ordinator provides support (to girls and staff).
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also GCSE Russian. German compulsory for 1 year, French for 3. Regular trips abroad.
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (2 lessons a week for half a year in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum, eg internet research, design, word processing. 80 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), nearly all networked and with email and internet access. Laptops, with wireless networking, provided.

The arts
Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, small bands.
Drama & dance: Many pupils involved in school and other productions. Drama GCSE, AS and A-level available.
Art & design: GCSE, AS and A-level offered in art & design technology (food, textiles, resistant material and graphics).

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, athletics, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: squash, table-tennis, basketball, badminton. Sixth form only: riding, golf, fencing. National rhythmic gym champions; pupils in county tennis, hockey and netball teams.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Also Outward Bound; community service optional, some sixth formers involved weekly (Oxfam, hospitals etc); all pupils contribute to Christmas gifts for various charities, local and international. Some 25 extra-curricular activities eg trampolining, art, craft, gardening, drama plus various music and sports activities.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: No houses or prefects – all sixth form have responsibilities. Head girl elected by sixth form. School Council.
Religion: Daily assemblies reflecting ethos of the school.
Social: Debates, public speaking, sporting activities with other schools. Trips overseas to eg Normandy, Russia, Peru; participates in World Challenge. Pupils allowed to bring own car, motorbike or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol/tobacco allowed.

Discipline Agreed code of conduct for all students; atmosphere of mutual respect.

Alumni association run by Mrs C White, c/o the school.

Former pupils Caroline Oldrey (TV newscaster); Elizabeth Manningham-Buller (MI5); Anne Fine (children’s author); Caroline Bradley (international show jumper); Jackie Enfield (Olympic swimmer).