Founded in 1877, it occupies a splendid site in the middle of the Georgian village of Clifton, near the Downs and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Originally dedicated to the education of girls, it has accepted boys into the junior school for a number of years and into the senior school from 2008. Boys and girls are predominantly taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 11 and 16, but can still enjoy the benefits of co-educational development through extra-curricular activities; both the junior school and the sixth form are fully co-educational. The facilities and accommodation are first-class, including refurbished science laboratories, IT suites and an indoor swimming pool. A partnership with Bristol University and the Lawn Tennis Association provides an indoor tennis centre and artificial turf hockey pitches. Religious worship is non-denominational. The school has a long-standing reputation for providing an excellent education and examination results are very good. There are strong music, drama and creative arts departments involving a large number of pupils. There is also a wide choice of games and sports (with representatives at county and national level). There is a great commitment to community service and the school has a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Full use is made of Bristol's cultural amenities.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 525 pupils (115 boys, 410 girls). Family boarding from age 16. Upper school 11-18, approximately 370 pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages, 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; entry for sixth form 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth form subjects). Skills in sport, music and art welcomed; no religious requirements. 40% of new intake at 11 from state schools (plus an increasing number to sixth form). Many senior pupils from own Lower School.
Scholarships available at ages 7, 11, 13 and 16; some bursaries for existing scholarship holders. Full school assisted places. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; some extras for example music tuition not included.
Headmistress: Dr Alison M Neill. Educated at Aberystwyth University. Teaching staff: 56 full time, 18 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
50 pupils in Year 11: 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 34 in upper sixth: 12% passed in 4+ subjects, 82% passed in 3 subjects.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 13% in science, maths and engineering, 5% in law, 15% in humanities and social sciences, 25% in arts and languages, 5% in art and design, 20% in eg business, drama, education, music, management, sport. Others typically go on to FE colleges, take further A-levels or occasionally go directly into management or other vocational training.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 GCSE subjects, 24 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. General studies is not taken but enrichment programme integrated into sixth form curriculum (lectures, workshops, practical activities, team skills, first aid). 40% take maths/science/IT/business studies A-levels; 25% arts; 20% humanities; 15% practical. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Latin and Greek also available to AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. 120 computers for pupil use all networked and with email and internet access. All pupils take GCSE IT short course.
Music: Up to 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental and vocal exams taken, also GCSE and A-level. Many musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, choirs, chamber groups and music technology. Variety of performances: 3 major concerts a year plus regular informal concerts. Some pupils members of National Youth Choir and National Youth Orchestra. Drama and dance: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, LAMDA exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions (at least one major performance per year) as well as outside productions. Art and design: GCSE and A-level ceramics, textiles and technology, graphic design.
Sport: Football, rugby, hockey, netball, cross-country, swimming, gymnastics, dance, cricket, tennis, rounders and athletics. Also from Year 10: basketball, volleyball, aerobics, circuit/weights/cardio-vascular training, squash, badminton, golf and trampolining. Pupils involved nationally and regionally in rounders, cross-country, athletics, hockey, ice dance, synchronised swimming and judo; county representation in athletics, cross-country, swimming, hockey, netball, tennis. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Regular visits to elderly and charitable fund-raising through pupil activities. Up to 20 clubs, including art, computer, Taekwon Do, debating, technology, fencing, Christian Union, science, textiles, maths.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and head boy with 2-3 deputies, plus heads of houses appointed by whole school vote. Pupil Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Debates, plays, musicals, choral performances, some with other local schools. Organised trips to eg Italy, Greece, Germany, Paris; Italy, Spain and Poland; skiing in Europe and USA. Meals: self-service and café style. Second-hand uniform shop.
A behavioural policy based on rewards and sanctions aims to encourage self-discipline by being firm and fair; strong tutorial system. Those caught using drugs on the premises will be expelled.
With families, for sixth form only. Host family co-ordinator acts as liaison between families, pupils and school.
Old Girls Society run by Mrs Jane Henderson, c/o the school
Jo Durie (tennis player); Mary Renault (writer); Stephanie Cole (actress); Elizabeth Filkin (former House of Commons Standards Commissioner); Bernice McCabe (co-director of the Prince's Teaching Institute); Diana Porter (jewellery designer); Jane Shepherdson (brand director of Topshop), Mary Mead (co-founder Yeo Valley yoghurt).
|
