Founded in 1894, it has handsome well-equipped premises in a pleasant residential suburb south of Glasgow, not far from the city centre. The playing fields are on the Pollok estate a few minutes away. Primary and secondary departments are combined; the infant department and nursery are on a separate site within a few minutes walking distance. Excellent facilities are provided, including most recently a library and resource centre, science laboratory, music suite and sports complex, each with up-to-date technology. It is an inter-denominational school. Academic standards are high and public examination results are very good. There are strong music and drama departments and an active art department. Sports and games are also of a high standard with regular representation at regional and national level, particularly in hockey. A range of extra-curricular activities is available to pupils at all ages. A number of enterprising trips are organised. The school takes part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, and the sixth form operates a Young Enterprise company.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 505 day pupils (10 boys, 495 girls). Senior department 12-18, 250 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11 and 12, own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry: individual interview, school report (generally S-grade credit 1 or 2 if taking on to Higher). No special skills or religious requirements.
Limited number of means-tested bursaries, usually for girls entering at age 12. Parents expected to buy textbooks, instrumental lessons, optional canteen lunch.
Principal: Mrs Gillian Stobo, in post from 2004. Educated at Glasgow High School for Girls and Glasgow University (chemistry). Previously Assistant Rector and Head of Chemistry at Glasgow High School. Also Chair of West of Scotland Independent Schools Music Committee; member of Scottish Council of Independent Schools Board, of GSA and of SLS. Teaching staff: 60 full time, 10 part time.
S-grade: 41 pupils in S-grade year, all passed in 5+ subjects. Highers: 41 in Higher year (S5), 92% passed in 4+ subjects. Advanced Highers: 27 in S6, on average, 92% passed in 3 subjects.
100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 15% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 19% in science and engineering, 8% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 4% in vocational subjects such as accountancy, nursing, music, and sport.
S-grades, Highers, Advanced Higher, and SQA national courses. 14 subjects offered at S-grade: all take English, maths, at least one social subject, one science and one language. 86% participate in a technical activity, 88% in a creative activity. Wide range of National Qualification subjects (intermediate to advanced higher). Vocational: work experience available; also various short courses in subjects such as media, and design with business. Special provision: Specialist learning support teacher. Languages: French compulsory from age 4 to S-grade. National qualifications in French, Spanish, German and Italian. Short courses in Japanese. Regular visits to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, including statistical analysis in geography, and data-logging in science. 150 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked, with email and internet access; additional resources in junior school.
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups including 2 orchestras, 3 choirs, 2 flute groups, 2 string ensembles, clarinet quartet. 8 in regional independent schools orchestra. Drama: Drama offered in curriculum. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and many in public-speaking. Annual school show is a play or musical. Pupils have recently taken part in nationwide youth theatre events, including the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Art and design: On average, 15 take S-grade, 10 Higher. Pottery, photography and jewellery also offered. Pupils take part in annual art competitions.
Sport: Dance, netball, volleyball, badminton, cross-country, athletics, short tennis, tennis, hockey, indoor hockey, climbing wall, swimming compulsory. Optional: self-defence for seniors. Scottish hockey players (2 U18, 1 U16), 1 U17 cross-country, 1 county tennis player. Winners of district hockey tournament and runners-up at Scottish indoor hockey championships. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for 1 year at age 16+. Up to 10 clubs, including country dancing, debating, pottery, equestrian, engineering, philosophy.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and deputes appointed by peers. Head of house and house prefects (elected). School Forum chaired by head girl. Religion: Christian school. Assembly compulsory three mornings a week (inter-denominational); separate Jewish assembly weekly. Social: Joint discos for charity with local schools. Frequent organised trips abroad (at least one annually) including to Europe, China, Costa Rica, Florida, Vietnam. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.
After-school detentions for failure to produce homework after three requests; pupils caught smoking cannabis would expect suspension.
Lesley Bale (BAA Director); Kate Heavenor (BBC presenter); Joanna Boag-Thomson (intellectual property partner, Shepherd and Wedderburn).
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