Founded in 1893, it is in a quiet residential area of Harrogate, only ten minutes' walk from either the town centre or open countryside. The town itself has much to offer culturally. The school's houses (7 formerly privately owned) are all set in their own gardens. It has fine modern facilities including an indoor swimming pool and design studio. Together with its own prep school (Highfield) and pre-prep (Bankfield), continuous education is provided from age 2–18 for girls (2-11 for boys). A sound all-round education is offered and examination results are very good. There is a sixth form centre which offers A-levels (including a vocational A-level in business) and a variety of leisure activities. Priority is given to pastoral care. The school has a Christian foundation and has its own chapel. There are high achievements in sports, art and music (the chapel choir is particularly noted). Upper sixth formers have their own boarding house with a greater degree of personal responsibility and freedom. There is substantial interest in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 300 girls (155 day, 145 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16; own entrance exam used. For sixth form entry: 7 GCSEs at least grade B (grade A in sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 35% main intake and into sixth form. Feeder schools include Lady Lane School, Terrington Hall, Brackenfield and own prep, Highfield.
Some scholarships available: academic, sport, art and music. 1-2 bursaries pa, on financial need for existing pupils or daughters of old girls. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extras include music instrumental lessons, riding, ballet, drama.
30+% live within 30 miles; 28% live overseas.
Headmistress: Rhiannon Wilkinson, appointed in 2009. Educated at universities of Oxford (history), Bath (PGCE) and Manchester (MEd). Previously Senior Mistress at Haileybury, Deputy Principal at Jerudong International School in Brunei. Teaching staff 33 full time, 11 part time. Staff turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 30 in upper fifth; 97% gained at least C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 67 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.4 subjects with a final point score of 370.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (4% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 50% take courses in science, engineering, medicine, maths and finance, 35% in law, humanities and social sciences, 9% in art and design, 6% in vocational subjects such as speech therapy, land management and theatre studies.
GCSE, AS and A-levels (including vocational A-levels). 22 subjects offered. Vocational: Work experience available; also vocational A-level in business. Special provision: For dyslexia and English as a second language. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). Native-speaking assistant for each language. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 235 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access. All sixth form studies and bedrooms have internet access. All pupils take an ICT qualification.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7+ musical groups including string, woodwind, brass, orchestra, some ad hoc. Some pupils in local youth orchestra. Chapel Choir regularly broadcasts, makes occasional recordings etc. Drama and dance: Both offered. LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions, all in house productions. Major productions annually; junior drama club; inter-house drama competition. Art and design: On average, 17 take GCSE, 16 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, food, photography also offered.
Sport: Netball, lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming, athletics, squash, tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, aerobics, yoga, sailing, subaqua, skiing, golf and multi-gym training available. County representatives in athletics, tennis, lacrosse; national team in lacrosse. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service with local organisations. Up to 15 clubs, including photography, amateur radio, science, drama, sailing, reading groups.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by staff. Committee of form representatives elected by girls. Religion: Christian foundation. Daily assembly compulsory; Sunday services for boarders. Social: BAYS, sixth form society, ski trips, visits to outdoor pursuits centres, industry conference etc. Trips to France and Germany. Recent choir concerts in Vienna, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia.
Pupils failing to produce work once might expect more work. Abuse of freedoms means restriction of privileges. Courtesy and consideration for others regarded as essential. Drug abuse would incur expulsion.
All have study bedroom, which are shared at the younger ages; single or double at sixth-form level. Houses according to age, including separate upper sixth house. 3 qualified nurses, 24-hour cover. Central dining room. 2 weekend exeats each term. Visits to local town allowed.
Chaired by Miss M Conyers JP, c/o the school
Diane Leather (athlete); Henrietta Shaw (1st woman Cambridge cox); Sheila Burnford (The Incredible Journey); Juliet Bremner (media journalist); Anne McIntosh MP; Carolyn Reynolds (executive producer, Granada); Sharon Maas (novelist), Laura Winwood (President of the Oxford Union).
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