What it’s like
Founded in 1892, it has handsome buildings in delightful semi-rural surroundings high above the attractive town of Monmouth, where the school enjoys a high reputation. The site affords splendid views across the Wye Valley. It retains links with the Haberdashers’ Company. It is sister school to Monmouth School, with which it shares a range of activities, including musical and dramatic activities and some A-level teaching. It has its own preparatory department, Gilbert Inglefield House. Being a Christian (non-denominational) foundation, there is some emphasis on religious instruction. It has a favourable staff:pupil ratio of about 1:10 and very good exam results. Music is very strong indeed, with a number of ensembles. Art and drama are also very vigorously supported. Considerable emphasis on sport, games, dance and physical education, with an impressive number of representatives at county, district and national level (particularly at lacrosse, rowing, swimming and athletics). There is a wide variety of clubs and societies and a substantial commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18, 675 girls (586 day, 89 boarding). Senior department 11–18, 559 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C including English and maths (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 47% senior intake, 50% sixth-form intake.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Some 6 pa scholarships include academic and music, value up to 50% fees. Variable number of bursaries, awarded on financial grounds to able pupils. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; average extras £80 per term.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Dr Brenda Despontin, appointed 1997. Educated at Penarth Grammar School and Cardiff University (psychology). Previously Principal of Girls’ Division, King’s School Macclesfield.
Teaching staff: 70 full time, 23 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 43.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 84 pupils in Year 11: 99% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. Average GCSE score 72 (64 over 5 years).
A-levels: 70 in upper sixth: 4% passed in 4+ subjects, 91% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 332.

University & college entrance 99% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (16% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 10% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 25% in science & engineering, 61% in humanities & social sciences, 4% in art & design.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels offered. 20 GCSE subjects, 30–32 AS/A-level. Some sixth-form subjects taught with Monmouth School.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (wide range), 3 at A-level; general studies not taken. 18% take pure science A-levels; 40% arts, 30% science/arts and 12% science/languages. AS-level critical thinking offered in Year 13. Key skills taught as discrete units; all entered for communication and IT.
Vocational: Work experience programme. RSA text-processing available in English, French, German and Spanish.
Special provision: Special help for dyslexic girls.
Languages: French and German (both compulsory aged 11–14) offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also Spanish, Italian and Russian to A-level (some under reciprocal arrangement with Monmouth School); Latin and Greek GCSE, Latin AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Italy).
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. 250 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. All pupils take GCSE ICT (short/full course).

The arts
Music: Nearly 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including 3 orchestras, 4 choirs, 2 bands (with Monmouth School), jazz ensemble, variety of chamber groups. Chamber choir recently 3rd in international festival and issued CD; harp trio won prize at National Chamber Music Competition.
Drama: On average 30 pupils take GCSE, 15 A-level drama and theatre studies; LAMDA exams may also be taken. Some pupils involved in school and other productions. In last six years, 5 have gone to drama school and 4 in the National Youth Theatre.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 8 A-level. Design, textiles, ceramics, photography also offered. Many pupils go on to art foundation and other courses in architecture, design etc. Various successes in DT: 2 finalists in Panasonic Innovation Award, 2 Conti Board finalists; former pupil winner of De Beers Diamonds International Award. Several winners of the Arkwright Scholarship for Engineering.

Sport & activities
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, tennis, athletics, rowing, dance, basketball, softball, fitness activities, swimming, trampolining, gymnastics, life-saving, badminton, volleyball, golf and fencing. Sixth form only: Canoeing, aerobics, water polo, aqua-fitness, body conditioning, self-defence. National representatives in lacrosse, tennis, golf, rowing, fencing; many district and county representatives in lacrosse, athletics and tennis; successful rowing teams (U16 fours title holders, GB rowers), tennis, athletics and fencing, lacrosse teams.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community Service optional, including visiting old people in the community. St John’s Ambulance first-aid course offered. Up to 30 clubs including photography, debating, chess, classics, history, junior quiz, public-speaking, life class, environmental, modern languages, Harris Society (sixth-form science society); successful school newspaper.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout, modified in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, school and house prefects and heads of houses, elected by staff and sixth form. School Council.
Religion: Boarders encouraged to attend places of worship of their own religion.
Social: Musical activities, theatrical productions and debates joint with Monmouth School. Exchanges to Carbonne and Berlin; Italian exchanges on an individual basis. Sixth form may bring cars to school. Meals self-service. School uniform shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Serious misdemeanours are treated on an individual basis, with suspension and expulsion as a possible sanctions.

Boarding 90% of sixth form have own study bedroom; 85% in dormitories of 2–4; 5% in dormitories of 5+. Junior house (of 20+) and senior (100+). Resident health care staff. Pupils can provide and cook snacks. Exeats any weekend. Visits allowed to local town (ranging from escorted visits for first years, to unlimited shopping visits in sixth form).

Former pupils Dr Jane Glover CBE (musician); Charlotte Hume (TV news/economics correspondent); Sandra Huggett and Lisa Rogers (Channel 5); Zoie Kennedy (actress).