Its origins date from 1540 when Thomas Howell bequeathed 12,000 gold ducats to the Drapers' Company. In 1852 an Act of Parliament authorised the trust to build two girls' schools in Wales, and Howell's School was opened in 1859. It has pleasant grey stone buildings set in 125 acres of delightful grounds amidst splendid countryside, only 20 miles from Chester. It enjoys comfortable accommodation and excellent modern facilities including a fine arts and crafts complex and a professional recording studio. It is well equipped for sports and games, with a new sports complex, on-site equestrian centre (with 2 riding arenas and 20 horses) and its own watersports centre at nearby Llyn Brenig. The prep school is next to the senior school and there are some shared amenities. The school aims to teach the essentials of the Christian way of life and religious education is part of the curriculum. Classes are small with a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:12. It has a high academic reputation and examination results are good. Sports standards are high; hockey, tennis, netball, dressage, eventing and athletics are at county and national level. The music, drama and art departments are all strong. A broad range of extra-curricular activities is offered, including a successful Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Young Enterprise Scheme and debating society .
Pupils: Age range 3-18; 150 girls (90 day, 60 boarding). Prep department 3-11, 70 girls. Senior deparment 11-18, 80 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13, 14 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 25% of senior intake from state schools ( plus 10% to sixth form), 40% from own prep school.
Scholarships awarded for excellence at age 11 and 16 (academic, music, drama and sport). Means tested bursaries available and armed forces discounts.
Many parents in law, medicine or finance. 30+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Headmistress: Miss Emma Jones, in post from 2011.
GCSE: On average 30 pupils in Year 11, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (average of 6.2 with grade A/A*). A-levels: 25 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.5 subjects, with a final point score of 295.
Almost all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 33% take courses in science and engineering, 66% in humanities and social sciences at a range of universities including Oxbridge.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 subjects at GCSE, 21 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 16% took science A-levels; 53% arts/humanities; 31% both. Vocational: Work experience available; Young Enterprise Scheme. Vocational equine qualifications offered. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Welsh offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. Denbigh is twinned with Bierbertal in Germany and school involved in cultural and sporting activities. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 55 computers solely for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access. All pupils take GCSE course in IT.
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken. Some 12 musical groups including 2 choirs, wind band, string, recorder and wind ensembles. Several pupils each year members of county and North Wales orchestras. Drama: Is part of the curriculum to Year 9. GCSE drama, A-level theatre arts, ESB and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. LAMDA gold, silver and bronze medals; 5 girls to National Youth Theatre in recent years. Art and design: On average, 40% take GCSE, 30% A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered.
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, rounders, athletics, swimming. Optional: badminton, squash, judo, aerobics, canoeing, sailing, climbing. GCSE, A-level, BAGA, sports leadership exams, BHS and vocational equine qualifications may be taken (equestrian centre has 2 riding arenas and 20 horses). National athletics representative; regular Wales and county hockey players. Sporting academy offers tuition to international standards; tuition for all standards in horse riding and stable management (pupils can use school horses or bring their own on livery). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Various clubs, including circus skills, crusaders, drama, gym, art workshops, jewellery making, football, roller-blading, mountain biking, debating society (debating team regularly and successfully competes).
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, deputy and prefects. School Council. Religion: Christian. Attendance at assemblies compulsory. Social: Debates, dances, dinners and plays with other schools. Exchanges with France, Germany, Australia, Japan, USA; curricular holidays to Europe and Canada. Meals self-service. No alcohol allowed.
School bullying policy and code of conduct; punishment is loss of privileges. Smoking and drinking alcohol leads to suspension and possible expulsion; drug abuse to expulsion.
15% have own study bedrooms; 30% share (with 1 other); remainder in dormitories of 6. Houses of approx 50. Qualified nurse. Pupils can provide and cook own food for snacks etc. Daily visits to the local town allowed (aged 13+).
is run by Miss Cathy Hughes, c/o the school.
Nerys Hughes (actress - Liver Birds); Lisa Scott-Lee (singer in Steps); Alison Carnwath (Chairman, Land Securities); Laura Deas (Olympic bob skeleton team 2014); Rosie Thomas (writer).
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