►►►其它中学

Northwood College 北伍德中学,北伍德学院 Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2YE
Tel: 01923 825446
• GIRLS, 3–18, Day
• Pupils 770, Upper sixth 50
• Termly fees £1680–£3019
• GSA
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1878, it is a single-site on the outskirts of London. The college consists of the original main building (1892) and several modern buildings erected during the last 25 years. These provide good, up-to-date facilities in a pleasant environment including a fully-equipped science block, indoor swimming pool and sports hall. A new performing arts centre provides a drama studio, recital hall, recording studio and music rooms. Academic standards and examination results are very good. Girls have much opportunity to participate in music and drama. There is a good range of sports and games, a wide variety of clubs and activities and some commitment to local community schemes; the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is available.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 770 day girls. Senior department 11–18, 470 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. North London Consortium exam at 11+; own exam at other ages. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A advisable in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 35% senior intake.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 9–11 pa scholarships: 3 at 11 (2 academic, 1 music); 6–8 sixth-form. Occasional bursaries according to need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; £250 maximum extras.

Head & staff
Head Mistress: Mrs Ruth Mercer, appointed 2002. Educated at Penwortham Girls’ Grammar School, and at the universities of London (Bedford College) and Oxford. Previously Deputy Head at Godolphin & Latymer.
Teaching staff: 64 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 43.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 71 pupils in Year 11, 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 64 (62 over 5 years).
A-levels: 58 in upper sixth: 99% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 372.

University & college entrance Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year). 17% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 13% in science & engineering, 14% in law, 17% in humanities & social sciences, 8% in art & design, 31% in other vocational subjects eg education, 10% in eg drama, music and English.

Curriculum GCSE, and AS and A-levels. 28 GCSE subjects, 28 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not taken. 16% take science and maths A-levels; 44% arts and humanities; 44% combinations. Key skills ICT compulsory, taught as a discrete unit.
Languages: French compulsory from age 7; second language (German or Spanish) compulsory at 11; all offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). Sixth form attend language courses in France.
ICT: Taught both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject (1 lesson a week Years 7–9; 2 in Year 12). 120 networked computers (7 hours a day), all with email and internet access. All Year 12 pupils take key skills level 3 in IT. GCSE and A-level ICT offered.

The arts
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 2 orchestras, 3 choirs, concert band, chamber ensembles.
Drama & dance: Both offered as part of the curriculum, ballet as an extra. GCSE and A-level drama, ESB and Central exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Recent productions of Daisy Pulls It Off and Pride & Prejudice.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design technology, textiles, graphic design also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rounders, hockey, netball, dance, swimming, gymnastics, tennis compulsory at various ages. Optional: volleyball, badminton, judo, trampolining. County and borough representatives at hockey, netball, swimming and rounders; borough team winners at hockey, netball and rounders; county hockey and netball tournament entrants. GCSE and A-level offered.
Activities: Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Community service optional. Clubs include debating, science, maths, music, art, drama, sports, languages.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, heads of houses, nominated by senior pupils and staff and appointed by Head Mistress.
Religion: Assembly for all.
Social: Joint productions, charity events, conferences with local independent boys’ schools. Organised trips have included classical tours, ski trips, art tours, choir tour in France, hockey and netball course, geography and biology field trips and modern language trips. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Those caught using drugs on the premises could expect expulsion.
Former pupil  Dame Margaret Booth (Judge).