Opened as an independent public school for girls in 1962. The school is in a magnificent Tudor house in 160 acres of historic parkland. There is a purpose-built teaching block, an indoor swimming pool and large indoor activities centre (including dance studio, fitness suite and tennis and netball facilities). A house system operates and there is an efficient tutorial system. The school is inter-denominational and offers a comfortable and secure environment for pupils from all over the world. It is a member of the Round Square and aims to ensure that education is exciting and challenging, designed to produce thoughtful and well-informed citizens; to complement this ethos, the IB Diploma will be offered for all sixth formers from 2009. The staff:student ratio is very favourable and examination results are consistently good. Music, drama and art play an important part in the life of the school. Sport and games are well catered for and standards are high. There is a plentiful range of extra-curricular activities. Senior girls are involved in voluntary community services locally and help local organisations in their spare time; many participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 175 girls (102 day, 73 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, interview, report from head and GCSEs (usually grades B in sixth-form subjects). All-rounders looked for; no religious requirements. Small state school entry.
Some 10 pa scholarships in total: some on entry at 11, 12 and 13; also sixth-form scholarships. Boarding bursaries available for service families, diplomats and those working for UK Charitable Trusts overseas. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras £300.
Headmaster: Paul Mitchell in post from 2008. Educated at Newcastle University (science). Teaching staff: 36 full time, 15 part time. Average age 40.
GCSE: 25 pupils in upper fifth: 44% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 61% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels (final year of A-level courses): 27 in upper sixth: all pass in at least 2 subjects.
95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 18% take courses in science and engineering, 9% in law, 36% in humanities and social sciences, 18% in art and design, 18% in other subjects eg IT, finance. Others typically go on to art college.
GCSE, IB Diploma. 21 IB subjects. Sixth form: Sixth formers take IB diploma with pre-IB course in Year 12; sixth-form courses and activities eg DoE, careers advice. Special provision: Dyslexic unit; EFL. Languages: French, German, Mandarin, Spanish and Latin offered at GCSE and IB. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, and Spain. Lectures, cultural festivals, foreign film club. 25 pupils from Europe in school. ICT: Taught across the curriculum Years 7-9. Computers in 2 suites, in sixth-form houses and all subject departments - all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choir, instrumental ensemble. Regular concerts and music festivals. Drama and dance: Drama offered; also ballet, tap and modern dancing as extras. GCSE theatre studies, A-level drama, RSA and LAMDA exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 22 take GCSE, 10 IB. Design and photography also offered.
Sport: Swimming, tennis, netball, basketball, hockey, football, volleyball, table tennis, cross-country, rounders, athletics, golf, dance, trampolining, gymnastics, yoga, aerobics, self-defence, badminton, lifesaving, riding, weight training, judo; some compulsory, some as extras. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; many take part in local community schemes, charity fundraising events in school. Clubs include computer, debating, cookery, art, toymaking, craft, languages, gymnastics, football, cross country.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and deputy and house captains elected by school. School council and student leadership team. Religion: Inter-denominational school; all religions welcomed. Social: General-knowledge quizzes, debates, joint musical productions, sport, dances and discos with other schools; organised weekend activities. Trips to America, France, Spain; exchanges with Australia, North and South America, France, Germany, Spain, South Africa. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Aims to be firm but not repressive. Pupils regularly failing to produce prep, for example, might expect detention and work re-done at weekend under Headmaster's supervision (at discretion of staff concerned).
Sixth form have study bedrooms in separate houses. Other houses, of approx 30, same age. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room (seniors can provide and cook food at breakfast and supper in own houses). 2 termly exeats. Visits to local town and Bluewater allowed at weekends.
Mrs T Balch, Chairman, Cobham Hall Elders.
Jane How (actress); Mary-Ann Sieghart (journalist); Duchess of Northumberland; Francesca Amfitheatrof (jewellery designer); Charlotte Metcalf (film director); Marina and Jennie Churchill; Clementine Hambro; Serena Gordon (actress); Saba Douglas-Hamilton (TV presenter); Mishal Hussain (BBC World newsreader); Amelia Troubridge (photographer); Antonia von Pruessen (Duchess of Westminster).
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