Founded in 1892, it is a Woodard school set in a self-contained suburban site on the outskirts of Derby. The junior school and kindergarten (which are both co-ed) are on the same site as the senior school but housed separately. Most of the senior school buildings are purpose built and there has been a great deal of investment in facilities including, most recently, a sports hall, sixth form block and music centre. Although a Church of England school, children of other faiths are welcomed. Examination results are very good. Music and drama are strong and there is much success across a range of arts at the Derby Arts Festival. In sport, hockey, netball, trampolining and rounders are particularly successful and each year there are several county and occasionally international players. There is successful participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Young Enterprise. Numerous house competitions include music, drama, art, debating and a variety of sports.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 584 day pupils (89 boys, 495 girls). Senior department 11-18, 300 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects) are required. Large proportion of senior pupils from own junior; some 10%-15% of sixth form intake from local schools.
Music and academic scholarships awarded at 11 and 16 (maximum 35%); also sport and all-rounder scholarships at 16. Own assisted places scheme (usually up to 50% of fees but occasionally more). Bursaries for children of clergy.
Headmaster: Colin Callaghan, appointed in 2004. Educated at Exeter University (French and German). Previously Deputy Head at Worksop College, Head of Languages at Royal Hospital School. Teaching staff: 43 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 45.
GCSE: 43 pupils in Year 11, all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 9.5 subjects). A-level: 40 pupils in upper sixth, passing an average of 4.4 subjects, with an average final point score of 440.
All sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 15% take courses in medicine and dentistry. 30% in science, engineering and maths, 5% in law, 20% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in modern languages, 20% in education, business and other vocationally-oriented subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 subjects at GCSE, 21 at AS/A-level. Sixth formers take 3-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; AS and A level general studies also offered. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist teaching for EFL and dyslexic pupils can be arranged. Languages: French taken from Year 7, German or Spanish from Year 8, then one or two to GCSE; A-level offered in each. Regular exchanges to Germany. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and used in teaching across the curriculum. All pupils take short course ICT GCSE (some take full course).
Music: 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including orchestra, choirs, swing band, chamber groups etc. Pupils in National Youth Choir; choirs and orchestra perform locally; choirs regular winners at local arts festival. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE and A-level theatre studies. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: GCSE and A-level. Design and technology also offered.
Sport: Netball, hockey, football, gymnastics, dance, athletics, rounders, tennis, volleyball, trampolining, badminton, fitness, basketball in first 5 years. Sixth form sport compulsory, including windsurfing, quad-biking, swimming, squash, fitness, paintballing. National representatives in rounders, taekwondo, windsurfing; county reps in hockey, netball, athletics, trampolining, swimming, tennis, squash, badminton. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Various clubs, eg drama, crafts, maths, computing, cookery, various sports and Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, house captains and house prefects - both Head and school involved in appointments. Religion: Church of England school. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Some joint activities with Derby Grammar School. Trips abroad include field courses (to France and Germany), volunteering (Ethiopia, Thailand), World Challenge (eg Mongolia), skiing (France). Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. No alcohol (except for sixth form at formal dinners).
The school has traditional standards as far as discipline, courtesy and good manners are concerned, but the emphasis is very much on self-discipline by the pupils rather than discipline imposed by the staff.
is run by Mrs M Cutts, c/o the school; oldgirls@derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk
Kelly Young (pop singer).
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