Founded in 1888, the school occupies a single, urban site that is easily accessible by public transport. There are spacious grounds and pleasant buildings (all purpose-built at different times). Numerous recent additions make it a well-equipped establishment. The junior school is housed in its own building on the same site. There is a large library, a fine design and technology centre, an IT centre and a sports centre. It is governed by the United Church Schools Trust. As a Church of England school, attendance at worship is compulsory but the approach is inclusive to people of all faiths or none. A large staff ensures a very good staff:pupil ratio. Academic standards are high and examination results are excellent. Very strong in music; drama is also very well supported. There is good representation in sport and games at district, county and national levels, particularly in lacrosse. A good range of clubs and societies and a successful debating team. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is popular with 85% of girls taking part. Plentiful use is made of the cultural resources of Guildford, while education and extra-curricular trips further afield are frequent.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18, 930 day girls. Junior department 4-11, 260 girls. Senior department 11-18, 670 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth form entry, at least 8 good GCSE passes (grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Around 30% of senior intake from state schools (plus 25% new entrants to sixth form).
9-11 pa scholarships, value 5%-30% of fees: 4-5 academic, 3-4 music. Variable number of bursaries, for children of clergy, for sixth form and to supplement scholarships. Parents not expected to buy textbooks: extras are £207 (lunch) and school trips.
Head Mistress: Mrs Fiona Boulton, appointed 2002. Educated at universities of Cardiff (biology), Oxford (PGCE) and London (MA educational management). Previously Deputy Head of the school, Housemistress and teacher of biology and chemistry at both Marlborough and Stowe. Also held a commission in the TA. Teaching staff: 150 full time, 40 part time, plus visiting music and drama staff.
GCSE: 101 pupils in Year 11, almost gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects (88% with grade A/A*). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth, gaining an average final point score of 458.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (28% after a gap year), 25% to Oxbridge, taking a range of courses in medicine, science, engineering, arts, humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 30 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, critical thinking AS-level offered in upper sixth (general studies taught but not examined). Breadth in arts/sciences encouraged: 18% take science A-levels; 28% arts/humanities; 54% both. Key skills informally integrated into sixth-form courses and activities; no certified course. Vocational: Work experience available; Young Enterprise. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level, Italian at AS and A-level. Lower sixth take part in European Youth Parliament (UK winners 2009). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Year 7 taught touch-typing. 250 networked computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all with email and internet access.
Music: 50% of pupils learn one or more musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 45+ musical groups including orchestras (symphony, chamber, string), chamber choirs, wind bands, choir, recorder consort, jazz group and numerous chamber groups and parents' choir. Pupils regularly in National Youth Choir, National Children's Orchestra, National Children's Chamber Orchestra, National Youth Wind Orchestra; regular finalists in Chamber Music Competition for Schools. Drama and dance: Drama offered; GCSE drama, AS and A-level theatre studies, Guildhall and LAMDA exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions, both front and back stage. Art and design: On average 25 pupils take GCSE, 10 A-level. History of art also offered.
Sport: Gymnastics, lacrosse, netball, swimming, athletics, rounders, tennis, compulsory for Years 7-9; health related fitness, hockey, football, water polo, aerobics, badminton, basketball, cricket, squash and volleyball in Years 10 and 11. Sixth form options: bowling, climbing, dry skiing, fencing, martial arts, golf, health suite, trampolining, ice-skating. 7 pupils in South Territory and England lacrosse squads; many county, district and national reps in badminton, lacrosse (1st and 2nd teams are also national champions), netball, swimming (several with national qualifying swimming times) and athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Senior debating team are UK European Youth Parliament winners. Numerous clubs, including science, film, cookery, current affairs, Christian Union.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head girl elected by school. School Council and form representatives. Religion: Church of England. Compulsory attendance at religious worship. Social: Drama productions, debates, dinners, discos with other local schools. Trips abroad eg skiing, sailing and trekking to locations including France, Morocco, Namibia, Italy. Meals self-service.
All pupils treated individually with a set of ground rules.
is run by the school office.
Lucy Prebble and Ella Hickson (playwrights); Celia Imrie and Julia Ormond (actresses).
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