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St David's School 圣戴维中学,  圣戴维学校Church Road,
Ashford, Middlesex TW15 3DZ
Tel: 01784 252494 Fax: 01784 248652
• GIRLS, MIXED SIXTH, Girls 3–18 Day, 10–18 Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 437, Upper sixth 53 (sixth form run jointly with Halliford Boys School)
• Termly fees £1650–£2891 (Day), £5341 (Boarding), £4939 (Weekly)
• GSA, BSA
• Enquiries/application to the Headmistress

What it’s like
Founded in 1716 by the Most Honourable and Loyal Society of Ancient Britons in order to provide an education for the children of Welsh parentage in London. In 1857 it moved to its present site in Ashford. The junior and senior schools are on the same site of 30 acres, with a lake, on the outskirts of Ashford. The main building is very handsome, built of stone in the collegiate style of architecture and stands in beautiful gardens. There is also a fine chapel and additional modern buildings which are well-appointed and well-equipped. A broad, general education is provided. The sixth form is run jointly with Halliford Boys’ School and examination results are good. Music is strong, drama is also well-supported. A standard range of sports and games is available (sports-acrobatics is particularly successful). There is a notable commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and many pupils have been highly successful. A good deal of local community service work is done.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18, 437 girls (396 day, 41 boarding). Senior department 11–18, 282 girls; sixth form joint with Halliford Boys’ School.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 11 and 16. Own assessment used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (B in sixth-form subjects). State school entry, 30% new entrants at 11 (plus 20% to sixth form); senior pupils come from own junior department and from numerous local primary schools.

Scholarships & bursaries Academic scholarships awarded at 11 (for 7 years) and for sixth form, value 10%–50% fees pa; plus gymnastics and music scholarships, art award. Bursaries available, some designated for girls of Welsh parentage.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Ms P A Bristow, in post since 1999. Educated at Newbury Girls Grammar School and University College London (chemistry). Previously Headmistress at St Hilary’s School (Alderley Edge) and Head of Girls at Brentwood School.
Teaching staff: 20 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 10+%.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 38 pupils in Year 11: 66% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 29% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 52 (51 over 5 years).
A-levels: 47 in upper sixth (joint with Halliford Boys’ School), 16 girls: 88% passed in 3; 12% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 270.

University & college entrance 99% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course. Others typically go straight on to careers (eg banking) or non-degree courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 examination subjects (including theatre studies, business studies, economics and psychology).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (including both contrasting and complementary subjects), 3 at A-level (mainly complementary); general studies not taken. Key skills course at end of Year 12.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: 3 tutors for EFL and 2 for dyslexia; provision for pupils with hearing impairment.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (4 lessons/week) and across the curriculum; most pupils take GCSE Certificate of Competence. 40 computers for pupil use (13+ hours a day), many networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choirs, chamber group, other ensembles.
Drama & debating: Drama offered at GCSE, AS and A-level, and LAMDA exams may be taken. Most pupils are involved in school productions, all in house/other productions. LAMDA silver medals and other passes. Debating team regularly successful in Rotary Youth Speaks competition.
Art & design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 4+ A-level. Textiles also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Swimming, tennis, hockey, netball, athletics, rounders, gym compulsory. Optional: badminton, volleyball, sports-acrobatics, football. Sixth form only: squash, golf. BAGA, RLSS, ASA, AAA, Milk in Action (athletics) awards offered. National aerogymnastics champions U13 and U19, county hockey champions U16.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional. Up to 10 clubs, eg chess, trampolining, computing, drama, gymnastics, canoeing.

School life
Uniform: Uniform worn except in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, house captains and senior sixth form team – appointed by Headmistress. School council.
Religion: Compulsory attendance at school assemblies in chapel 4 days/week unless special dispensation.
Social: Debates, lectures, drama productions with Halliford Boys’ School. Annual ski trip, bi-annual holiday to France. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Formal meals. Tuck shop run by pupils. No alcohol/tobacco allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a verbal warning (negative house points and involvement of parents thereafter). Those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect suspension pending investigation; then expulsion.