Founded in the Cripplegate Ward of the City of London in 1711 under the will of Lady Eleanor Holles, daughter of the second Earl of Clare. In 1936 it moved to its current 33 acre site, comprising of modern buildings that are surrounded by gardens and playing fields. All sports facilities are on site. An extensive building programme has created many new facilities and the school is now very well equipped. Most recently a sports hall, new learning resources centre and boat house (joint with Hampton School) have been added. Academic standards are high and examination results are consistently excellent. Music is very strong, as is drama. A good range of sports and games are provided and standards are very high with representatives at county, regional and national level in many disciplines. There is much regular social and academic liaison with Hampton School next door. Commitment to local community services and a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. The school is also involved in Outward Bound, leadership and adventure courses, Make Poverty History, Model United Nations and Young Enterprise.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 875 day girls. Junior department 7-11, 185 girls. Senior department 11-18, 690 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used (including for sixth form entry) and interview. No special skills required, although music and sport are encouraged; no religious requirements. State school entry, 30% senior intake plus 10% to sixth form.
Scholarships available, 10% of basic fee. Also means-tested bursaries, up to 100% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Head Mistress: Mrs Gillian Low, in post from 2004. Educated at North London Collegiate and Oxford University (English). Previously Headmistress at Francis Holland (Regent's Park) and Deputy Headmistress at Godolphin & Latymer School. Also Governor of Queen's College; member of HMC/GSA Universities Committee; GSA President 2010/11. Teaching staff: 81 full time, 64 part time in the senior school; 16 full time, 1 part time in junior school. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 93 pupils in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (99% in 10 subjects); 97% of passes were A/A* grade. A-levels: 88 in upper sixth: 82% pass 4+ subjects, with an average final point score of 500, including general studies.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 20% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 58% in humanities and social sciences, 7% in art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, AQA Baccalaureate. 20 GCSE subjects, 21 AS/A-level (including theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level, with a good spread of arts and sciences; in addition, all follow a general studies programme and some sit AS/A-level; further enrichment programme allows sixth formers to qualify for the AQA Baccalaureate. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Additional individual coaching available. Languages: French and German (taught from age 11), Latin (from age 12), Spanish and ancient Greek available at GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught throughout Years 7-9; pupils take the ECDL and British Computer Society qualifications; more advanced qualifications offered in sixth form. 400+ computers on whole-school network, all with internet access and pupils have their own email address.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 35+ musical groups including symphony, chamber and string orchestras, big band, jazz groups, percussion and saxophone ensembles, 5 choirs, and chamber music groups. Termly concerts; annual joint choral society and musical theatre productions. Drama: Part of curriculum Years 7-9. GCSE and A-level offered and Trinity/Guildhall exams in speech & drama and performing arts may be taken. Pupils participate in the Shakespeare Schools' Festival, National Theatre Connections programme and National Youth Theatre. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 AS-level, 10 A-level. Pottery, photography and history of art also offered.
Sport: Netball, lacrosse, gymnastics, dance, swimming, tennis, athletics, rounders compulsory. Optional: badminton, hockey, sports acro, aerobics, rugby, soccer, climbing, canoeing, self-defence, squash, real tennis, trampolining, yoga, basketball, golf, rowing, fencing, table tennis, fitness, volleyball. RLSS exams and ASA assistant teachers award may be taken. International representation in rowing, lacrosse, swimming, netball, skiing, rounders, tennis, windsurfing and fencing. Numerous county netball and lacrosse players; rowing national champions; regional winners/finalists in lacrosse, swimming, netball, gymnastics and sports acro. Activities: Pupils are strongly encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activites. Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; service volunteers work locally with disadvantaged children and the elderly and in a mentoring scheme in a local school. Some 120 clubs include music, drama and PE to Outward Bound, Model United Nations, Amnesty, Make Poverty History; also pupils work on a miniature nature reserve in the grounds, a partnership with the Eden Project.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, elected by the sixth form and staff. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Religious worship encouraged. Links with neighbouring C of E church. Social: Service volunteers, drama productions, orchestral and choral performances, debating with Hampton School. Organised exchange with German school; French, Spanish, classical trips; 2 ski holidays a year. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals in dining hall.
No formal punishments or detentions system, but short suspensions an option for more major misdemeanours. Smoking and drugs are forbidden.
is run by the school.
Anne Nightingale (radio presenter); Saskia Reeves, Charlotte Attenborough, Beatie Edney (actresses); Lucy Irvine, Jane Thynne (authors); Christina Hardyment (author and journalist), Lyn Barber (journalist; An Education), Jay Hunt (Controller Radio 1).
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