The Francis Holland (Church of England) Schools Trust was founded in 1878. This school opened in 1881 in Eaton Terrace and transferred in 1884 to its present site, near Sloane Square in central London. It has close links with its sister school in Regent's Park. The junior school has handsome buildings on the same site. The school has excellent facilities, including a gym, new science facilities, ICT, art studios and a library. Recently acquired premises next door will allow further expansion to provide a new performance area and specialist music facility. The teaching and examination results are very good. A strong local and family tradition prevails. Its position makes possible a wide use of London's amenities for outings of all kinds. There is a strong music department and drama is very popular. Some sport and games take place on the school site, otherwise local sports centres and Battersea Park are used.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 450 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 300 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. London schools' consortium entrance exam. For sixth-form entry, written test, interview and 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth-form subjects). C of E school but all denominations accepted. Pupils come from a variety of schools, both independent and maintained. 25% of senior intake from own junior school.
Academic scholarships at 11 and 16; plus 2 music scholarships. Means-tested bursaries at 11, 14 and 16, up to 100% of fees. Parents expected to buy textbooks; lunch included in fees.
Drawn from a wide range of professions: medicine, law, banking, Church, academics, theatre etc.
Headmistress: Miss Stephanie Pattenden, appointed 1997. Educated at St Anne's College, Sanderstead, and at Durham University (mathematics) and King's College London (PGCE). Previously Deputy Head at South Hampstead High, Head of Maths and Sixth Form at Lady Eleanor Holles, Second Mistress at St Paul's and taught at Harrow Girls' Grammar School. Teaching staff: 41 full time, 15 part time.
GCSE: 43 pupils in Year 11, 98% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 40 in upper sixth: 25% passed in 4+ subjects, 75% in 3 subjects - achieving an average final point score of 377.
98% of sixth-form leavers go on to degree courses (12% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge, 8% to the US. 20% take courses in science, medicine or dentistry, 15% in languages or classics, 15% in history or law, 10% in economics or maths. Other popular subjects include geography, English, drama, sociology, philosophy and history of art. 12% take an art foundation course first.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 AS/A-level subjects (including history of art, economics, psychology, theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually a wide range), 3-4 at A-level; general studies is taught but not examined, AS-level critical thinking offered. Key skills not taught but monitored through sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience undertaken (2 weeks after GCSEs). Special provision: Time concessions requested for dyslexic girls in public exams. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Pupils arrange personal exchanges and go on language courses. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg data-logging. 60 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 9 musical groups including orchestra, choirs, wind, string groups etc. GCSE and A-level taken. Drama and dance: Both offered. LAMDA and ballet exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Each year pupils go on to foundation courses and take degrees in art.
Sport: Netball, hockey, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, volleyball compulsory. Seniors only: squash, rowing, karate, aerobics, fencing. Activities: Pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Numerous charitable activities, including G-Nation awards (specifically for International Refugee Trust), collections for local elderly community groups. Clubs include animal, textiles, pottery, ballet, drama, debating, gymnastics, chess, engineering, philosophy, science.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, head of house and house prefects, elected by school and staff. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Social: Organised trips abroad include skiing, history of art, language visits to France and Spain. Meals self-service.
Conduct marks for minor offences, detention for more serious ones. Suspension or expulsion in extreme cases.
is run by the chairman of the Old Girls' Society, Sarah MaHaffy.
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