Founded in 1884 by the Church Schools Company, and transferred to a local governing body in 1910. In 1968 it moved to new purpose-built premises at Farewell Hall - a semi-rural site on the southern edge of Durham. There are playing fields and a nature reserve within the grounds. The junior school (with purpose-built nursery) is combined. Recent improvements include state-of-the-art facilities for the performing arts, science, library and resources and ICT. Its aim is to give a sound general education within a Christian framework, although girls of all faiths are accepted; examination results are very good. PE, drama and music are very strong. A good range of sports and games is available. It has an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, a number of extra-curricular activities, including Young Enterprise, and a link with Lesotho.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 603 day girls. Junior house 3-11, 193 girls. Senior house 11-18, 410 girls. Entrance: Main entry at 3, 4, 10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements.
Academic and music scholarships at age 11-14; performing arts and sports at 11 and 13; academic, music, sport and art at 16. Means-tested scholarships at age 7-9. Large number of bursaries at 11 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunches and examination fees extra.
Headmistress: Mrs Ann J Templeman, in post since 1998. Educated at Watford Grammar School and Oxford University (classics). Previously Deputy Head at Haberdashers' Aske's (Girls), Head of Classics at North London Collegiate and Head of Theology at Queen's College London. Teaching staff: 51 full time, 16 part time.
GCSE: 68 pupils in Year 11, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 51 in upper sixth, 4% passing in 4+ subjects, 96% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 358.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (2% after a gap year), steady numbers to Oxbridge. 26% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 13% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 44% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in music, 5% in visual communications/IT and 5% in art and design. A few typically go on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels offered. 21 GCSE subjects, 24 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 25% take science A-levels; 25% arts/humanities; 50% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some for pupils with dyslexia. Languages: French (from age 5), German (from 12) offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. French study holiday for 11 year-olds. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg visual presentation, data-logging in science, research. 50 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), many networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take key skills in computing.
Music: 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups - orchestra, choir, chamber choir, wind band, jazz band, various chamber groups. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered; pupils may take LAMDA exams. Majority of pupils involved in annual school productions, some in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Painting, drawing, textiles and graphics are offered.
Sport: Athletics, tennis, rounders, hockey, netball, dance, gym, swimming compulsory. Optional: football, badminton, aerobics, table tennis, salsa dancing, volleyball and karate, rowing. Pupils may take Carlton badminton awards, ASA and BAGA exams. NE regional hockey players, county hockey and netball players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional from 14. Clubs include dance, gym, hockey, badminton, netball, karate, tennis, rowing, dry-skiing, Amnesty International, computing, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, deputies and senior team; all sixth form take school responsibilities. Religion: Church of England school. Social: Regular trips abroad eg French study holiday for 11 year-olds, geography and history study visits /fieldtrips, regular visits to Germany and Italy for 14-18; trips to eg Iceland, USA, Amsterdam. Meals self-service.
Disciplinary procedures decided as situation arises.
OGA Online, via the school website.
Wendy Gibson (BBC North News); Wendy Craig (actress); Sarah Gatenby (GMTV).
|
