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Westonbirt School,温斯特顿伯特中学，温斯特顿伯特学校 Tetbury,
Gloucestershire GL8 8QG
Tel: 01666 880333 Fax: 01666 880364
Website: www.westonbirt.gloucs.sch.uk
• GIRLS, 11–18, Day & Boarding (full, weekly & flexi)
• Pupils 230, Upper sixth 25
• Termly fees £4470 (Day), £6410 (Boarding)
• GSA, Allied Schools
• Enquiries/applications to the Registrar

WHAT IT’S LIKE
Founded in 1928, it is centred on Westonbirt House, a magnificent Renaissance-style mansion in 250 acres of fine gardens and parkland. Over the years it has been adapted and new buildings added, most recently new laboratories for science, design technology workshops, an ICT room, art studios and lecture theatre. Facilities and accommodation are very good. The ethos tends towards a good all-round education for girls of all abilities, developing individual talents, whatever they may be, in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Religious services (held in the school chapel) are Anglican and compulsory. Academic standards are creditable and examination results very good for a mixed ability intake. It is strong in music, art and drama. There is a range of games, sports and activities, a promising record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and a thriving Young Enterprise Scheme.


SCHOOL PROFILE

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 230 girls (100 day, 130 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry age 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance papers used. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects) or entrance paper in 2 subjects. Aptitude at music, drama, art and sport helps; school is C of E and all are required to attend services. 25% main intakes from state schools (plus 4% to sixth form). Pupils come from a wide variety of prep and primary schools within the area and from London and further afield.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Variable number of scholarships, value 10%–25% fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, music, art and drama (awarded at 11, 12, 13 and 16); also some bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extras include music and sports coaching, excursions, public exam fees etc.

Head & staff
Head: Mrs Mary Henderson, in post from 1999. Educated at Berkhamsted School for Girls and universities of St Andrews and Durham (modern languages and PGCE). Previously Head of Modern Languages at the school, Sixth Form Housemistress at Cheltenham Ladies’ College and taught modern languages at Warminster.
Teaching staff: 39 full time, 15 part time (plus peripatetic music & PE staff). Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40+.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 26 pupils in Year 11: 96% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 4% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 56 (58 over 5 years).
A-levels: 28 in upper sixth: 89% passed in 3+ subjects; 7% in 2 subjects. Average tariff points 330.

University & college entrance 92% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (42% after a gap year). 27% took courses in science & engineering, 5% in social sciences, 41% in arts, 22% in other vocational subjects eg education, nursing, physiotherapy, 5% in combined courses. Others typically go on to art foundation courses or to business college.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels, including vocational AS and A-levels (AVCE). 18 AS and A-level subjects (including theatre studies, business studies, psychology, PE); 1 AVCE in ICT.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 10% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 35% both. Key skills compulsory; integrated into sixth-form course and activities.
Vocational: Work experience compulsory in Year 11. Vocational AS-level in ICT. Leith’s food and wine basic certificate course, lifeskills courses; Young Enterprise.
Special provision: ELT and special needs departments; individual coaching paid for separately.
Languages: French (compulsory to GCSE), Spanish (option from Year 10) and Latin all to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges and visits.
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week); pupils use ICT in GCSE coursework. Most take Clait, GCSE short course or ECDL. 150 networked PCs for pupil use all day, all with access to the internet (when required), and with e-mail access. Many pupils have own laptops.

The arts
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 9 musical groups including 4 choirs and an orchestra.
Drama & dance: Both offered in curriculum and most pupils also take private speech & drama lessons; GCSE and A-level drama, ESB, LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: Art, design, pottery, textiles, photography and history of art offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, tennis, rounders, athletics, swimming compulsory. Optional: golf, badminton, basketball, aerobics, cricket, trampolining, squash.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Many clubs and leisure activities eg Scottish country dancing, film theatre, World Challenge. Most sixth formers take Leith’s certificate in food and wine.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. All sixth form have positions of responsibility. Head girl, deputy head girl, heads of house and head of games – appointed by the Head after consultation with staff and girls.
Religion: Compulsory daily prayers and Sunday service.
Social: Discos, socials and dinner parties with other independent schools. Trips abroad include art, English, history and modern languages to France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Belgium; lacrosse to America, scuba diving to Egypt. Meals formal, except supper. School shops (tuck, books and uniform). No tobacco or alcohol allowed in main school; supervised bar for sixth form.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention; those caught drinking alcohol or smoking on the premises could expect suspension for the first offence and expulsion for the second.

Boarding Sixth formers have own study bedrooms. Houses of approximately 50, same as competitive houses. Resident qualified nurse and visiting doctor. Central dining room; separate sixth-form and Year 7 dining rooms. Sixth form can provide and cook own food (breakfast and weekends). 2 exeats (2 nights) and half term each term.

Alumni association c/o The Marketing Director of the school.