►►►其它中学

The Royal Masonic School for Girls 皇家共济会女子中学，皇家共济会女子学校

Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 4HF
Tel: 01923 773168 Fax: 01923 896729
• GIRLS, 4–18 Day, 7–18 Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 751, Upper sixth 71
• Termly fees £1517–£2947 (Day), £2876–£4843 (Boarding), £2851–£4818 (Weekly)
• GSA
• Enquiries to the Headmistress. Applications to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1788, it moved in 1934 from Central London to the Chilterns. Here there is a striking purpose-built establishment of spacious and well-appointed buildings, in 315 acres of superb grounds. Extremely comfortable accommodation and first-rate facilities include an unusually fine library. The teaching is of a high standard; examination results are good. There is much, diverse, activity in music, drama, art and textiles. Sport and the sporting facilities are good; the swimming team particularly is successful. A feature is the school drill: a display of callisthenics and movement. A fine record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 4–18; 751 girls, 539 day, 212 boarding. Senior department 11–18, 557 girls.
Entrance: Main entry age 4–7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used; for sixth-form entry, subject test and GCSE grade B in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. Many pupils from own junior department (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, same address).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 20+ pa scholarships, value up to 50% of fees: 8 academic, 1 art, 3 music, 1 sport, 6 masonic (awarded at 11). Bursaries for families in need, discount for Forces children. Parents not expected to buy textbooks, nor pay for exams or field trips for exams; extras include music, drama, dancing, sport etc.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Diana Rose, appointed 2002. Educated at Cambridge University (history, social & political science). Previously Deputy Head at Oxford High, Head of Sixth at St Helen’s, and 13 years experience in maintained schools.
Teaching staff: 61 full time, 21 part time plus music staff. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 38.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 86 pupils in Year 11: 92% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 7% in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 56 (54 over 5 years).
A-levels: 67 in upper sixth, most taking A-levels. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 350.

University & college entrance 87% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (3% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 18% in science & engineering, 44% in humanities & social sciences, 12% in art & design, 15% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, hospitality & tourism management. Others typically go on to art foundation courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels and AVCE. 27–28 AS and A-level subjects (including psychology, economics, politics and philosophy); 3 AVCEs.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken.
Vocational: Work experience available. AVCEs in business studies, travel & tourism, health & social care.
Special provision: for mildly dyslexic pupils.
Languages: French (compulsory from age 7), Spanish and German (from Year 8) offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular visits to France.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 185 computers available for pupil use (access 14 hours a day), almost all networked and with email and internet access. Computers in sixth-form room and corridor for maximum access, as well as designated ICT rooms.

The arts
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including 5 choirs, orchestra, brass & woodwind ensembles, recorder consorts. Senior choir, tours in Canada, US and Europe; chapel choir, evensong in St Paul’s and other cathedrals; choirs in national finals McDonald’s Music in the Community and in West End production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Drama & performance arts: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all pupils in house/other productions. 2 major productions annually. Some pupils in National Youth Theatre.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, textiles and photography also offered. Design awards in national competitions organised by Sock Shop and BBC TV’s Clothes Show. Textiles exhibit on permanent display in Science Museum.

Sport & activities
Sport: Netball, tennis, hockey, swimming, rounders, athletics, badminton, squash compulsory. Optional: aerobics, trampolining, fencing, self-defence, riding. Swimming team in national finals (Bazuka national championships). BAGA and RLSS exams may be taken.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional but encouraged in sixth form. Up to 30 clubs, eg art, gym, synchronised swimming.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed after elections, selection procedure and interview. School council with elected chair.
Religion: Attendance at religious worship compulsory on Sundays for boarders.
Social: Joint debates, theatrical productions, musicals, choral society, games etc with other schools and with the general public. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. A few meals formal, most self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and letter home; persistent offenders, a detention; anybody caught smoking or drinking on premises after a first warning could expect a letter home followed by suspension or expulsion for repeated offenders. Anybody caught dealing in or using illegal substances would face temporary or permanent exclusion.

Boarding Approx a third each have own study bedroom, share or in dormitories of 6+. Houses of 40+; separate houses for juniors and for sixth formers. 2 qualified sisters and 1 nursing assistant. Central dining room. 2 weekend exeats each term, plus half-term; more flexible exeats for sixth formers. Visits to the local town allowed weekly for juniors; more often and unaccompanied for 14+.

Alumni association is run by Hon Sec OMGA, c/o the school.

Former pupils First female president of Cambridge Union.