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What it's like

Founded in 1883 in the centre of Bromley by the Girls' Day School Trust, it moved in 1981 to Bickley to occupy new buildings, set in 24 acres of beautiful grounds. Modern facilities include a new library and sixth form block, specialist rooms for art, technology, ceramics and drama and a music wing. Sports facilities include a sports hall, gymnasium, athletics track, six-lane swimming pool and astroturf. The junior department is on the same site. Entrants come from well beyond Bromley. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Enthusiastic involvement in music, drama, dance, art, sport and community activities is expected; the school is strong in the performing arts. High standards in sports and games are maintained with members appearing in regional and national squads and the school holds championship titles in several sports. Extra-curricular activities flourish; the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, World Challenge, Young Enterprise, work experience and voluntary service all enjoy enthusiastic support. Cultural exchanges for Year 12 business students with Mumbai and Beijing.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 912 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 600 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (preferably grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Significant proportion of senior intake from own junior; also from prep schools and a number of local junior and primary schools.

Scholarships & bursaries

Various scholarships, including academic, art, sports, music, value 10%-50% fees. Means-tested GDST bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks or pay for examination entries.

Head & staff

Head: Ms Louise Simpson, in post from 2010. Educated at the universities of Aberystwyth (environmental science) and Ulster (ecology). Previously Senior Deputy Head at Brighton College, Head of Biology at King's School, Rochester, and held various teaching posts at Ratcliffe College and at Gresham's. Also governor of Cumnor House Prep School; was national-level rower. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 30 part time (plus 29 music and speech/drama).

Exam results

GCSE: 100 in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 69 in Year 13, most passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of 379.

Pupils' destinations

Almost all sixth form leavers go on to degree courses (4% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 2% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 74% in humanities, languages, music and social sciences, 3% in vocational subjects, eg physiotherapy, nursing, 6% in art (following art foundation courses).

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS-level subjects, 22 A-level (others by distance learning). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; General studies taught but not examined; critical thinking an option. Possible to combine science, maths, arts and humanities A-levels. Vocational: Work experience available in Year 11 (and also Years 12 and 13). Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also Latin in Year 7 and to GCSE. Exchanges, homestays and work experience in France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject. Many computers for pupil use (9+ hours a day), all networked and with internet access.

The arts

Music: Up to 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 15+ musical groups including 3 choirs, 3 orchestras, harp ensemble, rock bands, orchestral bands, jazz bands and chamber music. Regular concerts in school, local community and London venues; two annual overseas tours. Many go on to study music at university or conservatoire. Drama and dance: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies offered and LAMDA and ESB exams may be taken. Annual dance production. Many pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 20 AS/A-level. Art and design, fashion and textiles, ceramics, design technology all offered to GCSE, AS/A-level. Specialist ceramics and dark room and Mac suite for digital imagery and animation.

Sports & activities

Sport: Athletics, badminton, dance, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rounders, swimming, tennis, trampolining compulsory to age 14. Options thereafter include aerobics, badminton, cricket, rowing, self-defence, yoga; fencing and ballroom dancing outside school. GCSE, AS and A-level PE offered. Recent national schools champions in gymnastics (U13, U19) and tennis (U13), runners-up in netball (U16). Activities: Pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 40 clubs, eg sport, music, art, photography, ICT, drama, chess, literary, Christian Union, rowing etc. Also Young Enterprise, Understanding Industry and Neighbourhood Engineer schemes.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system operates. Prefects, 2 head girls and 4 deputies, elected by girls and staff. School Council; democratic discussion encouraged through school committees. Religion: Christian tradition, non-denominational; assembly twice a week. Social: Joint sixth form activities with local boys' schools. Trips abroad include exchanges; skiing; art; music tours; hockey tour to Holland; World Challenge expeditions (to eg Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico); cultural exchanges with Mumbai and Beijing. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service, include healthy eating options.

Discipline

Emphasis on pastoral care. Year 12 are taught peer counselling; all have access to a professional counsellor (drop-in basis or by appointment). The school insists on punctuality and commitment to homework. Serious offences, such as smoking or stealing, would warrant suspension.

Former pupils

Mrs Marion Roe MP; Professor Marilyn Strathern (anthropology, Cambridge University); Professor Joan Walsh (mathematics, Manchester University); Margaret Hodge MP.

Parents 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff
Principal: Mrs Barbara Bates in post since 1999. Educated at Accrington High School and London University (history of art and philosophy, MA in education management and policy). Previously Director of Studies at James Allen’s Girls’ School and taught in the maintained and independent sector in London. Also FRSA, Member of Institute of Management, Member of SW Region ISC.
Teaching staff: 42 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 46.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 72 pupils in Year 11. 96% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 59 (57 over 5 years).
A-levels: 50 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 334.

University & college entrance 85% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 40% in science & engineering, 35% in humanities & social sciences, 10% in art & design. Others typically go on to art/drama college, few to articled professional training.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 50% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 10% both. Key skills largely integrated into sixth-form courses; separate units for ICT, ESB, critical thinking, Leith’s food and wine certificate, study skills, driver education.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Specialist teaching for specific learning difficulties and EFL support programme.
Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Year 7–9) and across the curriculum, eg presentation and research. 50 computers for pupil use (16 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access, 15 laptops. Most pupils take NDTEF in Year 9 and Key Skills in lower sixth.

The arts
Music: Up to 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken.
Drama & dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE and A-level drama, LAMDA exams may be taken. All pupils can be involved in school productions (several annually).
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, textiles, art history, photography also offered. Evening activities in painting, photography, sculpture, life-drawing etc open to other schools and the local community.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, rounders, athletics, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: dance, aerobics, badminton, fencing, judo, volleyball, basketball, cricket, riding, aerobics, fitness, dance. National representatives in athletics, cross-country; county reps at athletics, cross-country, hockey, netball, tennis.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; can also train as army cadets. Up to 15 clubs, eg public speaking, debating, technology and electronics, bridge, sports, cookery, art. Also driving instruction available for sixth form including courses in motor mechanics, personal safety and driving test preparation..

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head girls, prefects and hall captains elected.
Religion: Regular assemblies. Sunday service for boarders.
Social: Joint social events are arranged with local schools. Organised trips abroad. Senior pupils allowed to bring own bikes/cars to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Sixth-form social club.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do a repeat. No tobacco, drugs or alcohol allowed.

Boarding Sixth form in single study bedrooms (with basin, computer point and telephone); Year 11 have individual accommodation, others share rooms. Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. Sixth formers may provide and cook their own food. Weekly and flexi-boarding available. Visits to the local town allowed.

Alumni association is run by Mrs Sue Nurse, c/o the School.