The Francis Holland (C of E) schools were founded by Canon Francis Holland. The first was opened in 1878 in Baker Street, London, and transferred in 1915 to its present building near Regent's Park. There has been a continuous programme of modernisation, including a new sports hall, fitness room and music suite; most recently a new wing has been added including a performance area for music, drama and theatre studies. The facilities in its fine buildings are excellent. A lively community with high academic standards, it produces very good examination results. Religious teaching is based on the principles of the Church of England but the school is religiously inclusive. There is much emphasis on music throughout the school, and the drama and art departments are very strong and active. Regent's Park provides good facilities for sports and games, in which standards are also high. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of the capital.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 435 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. North London Consortium entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, normally GCSE grade A in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. Pupils come from a variety of schools, both independent and maintained.
Academic scholarships at 11 and 16; 2 music scholarships also available. Means-tested bursaries up to 100% of fees. Parents expected to buy textbooks.
15+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% from theatre, media, music; 15+% from industry/commerce.
Headmistress: Mrs Vivienne Durham, in post from 2004. Educated at Oxford University (English). Previously Deputy Head of South Hampstead High School. Teaching staff: 31 full time, 13 part time.
GCSE: 75 pupils in Year 11: 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 39 in upper sixth; 21% passed in 4+ subjects, 79% in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 387.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to degree courses (25% after a gap year), an average of 10+% to Oxbridge. 17% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 23% in science and engineering, 60% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not taken; many mix science and arts A-levels. Vocational: Work experience organised and expected. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular trips to France, Germany, Italy and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg data-logging in science, fieldwork projects in geography. 56 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Pupils study ECDL.
Music: Over 50% of pupils take instrumental lessons in school; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, flute band, 4 choirs, chamber trios, jazz band, quartets. Drama: A-level theatre studies and Guildhall exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and all in annual form productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 10+ A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered.
Sport: Hockey, tennis, netball, rounders, swimming, volleyball compulsory. Optional: badminton, table tennis, volleyball, water polo, aerobics. GCSE PE offered. Activities: Many pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service encouraged throughout school; girls help in hospitals, schools and old people's homes. Up to 50 clubs, including art, drama, debating, philosophy, water polo, cookery, maths, photography, football, computing, bridge, yoga, astronomy, Alexander Technique.
Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in fifth, no uniform in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Head girl, senior team, form prefects and sixth form co-ordinators elected by the school and staff (subject to interview). School council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Debates with other schools, social and educational activities with Harrow School. Trips abroad by sixth-form historians (eg Paris, Russia, Florence, USA), history of art group (Italy, New York), classics (Italy, Greece), PE (Malaysia, Barbados), geography (Iceland); skiing and activity holidays; language exchanges. Meals self-service.
Parents are kept fully informed of pupils' academic and social progress through a monitoring process and appropriate sanctions are applied if any problem develops. It is likely that girls found in possession of illegal drugs would be expelled.
secretary is Mrs Nadia Demetriou, c/o the school.
|
