Founded in 1858, agreeably sited on the outskirts of Bristol near the Downs and in spacious 20-acre grounds. Facilities are very good, including astroturf pitch, swimming pool, new fitness suite and an eco-friendly boarding house. The style of the school is a combination of discipline and warmth. Girls are encouraged to become thinking, caring and independent young women. Staff-pupil relationships are mature and friendly, based on principles of courtesy and mutual respect. All pupils are encouraged to work hard and play hard; the all-rounder is encouraged. There is an emphasis on opportunity for exceptional talent. The school has a reputation for good teaching and a distinguished academic record; examination results are excellent. There is a separate sixth form centre and sixth formers are treated as students. It is very good in the creative arts; art and music are particularly strong. There is a lot of emphasis on Europe and the wider world with participation for example, in the Model United Nations and European Youth Parliament. Full advantage is taken of the facilities of the city and Bristol University. There is a wide range of clubs and activities and it participates in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme; also a good range of sports and extra-curricular activities.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 435 girls. Junior school 3-11, 131 girls. Senior department 11-18, 304 girls (134 day, 170 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-11, 12, 13, 14 and 16. Own entrance exam used. Special skills in music, science, sport, languages, art looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry, 12% of senior intake. Many entrants to senior school from own junior school.
20 pa scholarships: 18 academic/all-rounder, 1 art, 1 music. Some foundation awards of up to 100% of fees. Variable number of bursaries; discount for forces children (20%) and for siblings (5%). Parents expected to buy some textbooks; average extras £400 per term.
45+% are doctors, lawyers, etc; 25+% in industry or commerce. 40+% live within 30 miles, 20+% overseas.
Headmistress: Mrs Jan Scarrow, appointed in 1997. Educated at school in Yorkshire and at the universities of Manchester (history) and Sheffield (PGCE). Previously Deputy Headmistress at Stonar School and has taught in maintained and independent schools, both day and boarding. Head of Junior School: Mrs Emma Davies appointed 2010. Previously at Deputy Head at Bristol Grammar and Curriculum Co-ordinator at Millfield Prep. Teaching staff: 45 full time staff, 50 part time and peripatetic. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 54 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (including English, maths and science; most also take and pass a language and a humanity). A-levels: 60 in upper sixth, all passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of 433.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (23% after a gap year), 20% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 26% in science and engineering, 48% in humanities and social sciences, 17% in art and design, music and drama.
GCSE, iGCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 subjects offered to AS/A-level. Sixth form: Sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level (general studies not taken); sixth-formers often take a broad range of subjects. 40% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 10% both. Key skills integrated into a range of activities and leading to Certificate of Spoken English for HE for all, interview technique, cooking at university, budgeting etc. Vocational: Work experience available; also word processing and keyboard skills. Special provision: Very little special needs provision. EFL support. Links with Bristol Dyslexia Centre. Languages: French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; other languages on request; also taster courses for sixth form, non-examined Italian and RSA language courses. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 80 computers for pupil use (open all day), all networked with email and internet access.
Music: Over 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 30+ musical groups including orchestras, string groups, wind groups, 4 choirs, jazz groups, 15 small ensembles. Several pupils are members of the National Children's Orchestra and Choir as well as the county orchestra. Music tours (eg France, Italy, Dublin, Hungary); performances in cathedrals in Bath, Bristol etc. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. A-level theatre studies, ESB, Poetry Society, LAMDA, RADA exams may be taken. 7 drama productions a year (eg Legally Flawless); some pupils take part in professional theatre and work experience. Many theatre trips. Art and design: On average, 90% take GCSE, 30% A-level. Fashion design, pottery and ceramics, textiles, photography, jewellery, screenprinting, wood/metal work, engraving etc also offered. Winners of art exhibition at Bristol Cathedral and photography exhibitions in South West; top A-level marks in UK in art and design and in photography recently.
Sport: Hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders, gym and dance compulsory. Optional: football, fencing, squash, golf, judo, aerobics, badminton, riding, volleyball. BAGA, BHS, RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. National level swimmers, horse riders, fencers and judo medallist; county hockey, netball, badminton, squash and swimming reps. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Takes part in European Youth Parliament; Model United Nations. Up to 100 clubs, eg Prince's Trust, languages, public speaking, magazine, science, young engineers, performing arts, creative arts, sports clubs.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses; head girls and heads of houses elected. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school. Worship encouraged but not compulsory. Social: Joint events including Bristol schools debating; annual Pop Idol competition with Queen Elizabeth Hospital; choral/orchestral with a number of schools; socials, sports. Many organised trips abroad eg exchanges to France, Spain, Germany and to Australia, South Africa and Singapore; skiing trips; expeditions (eg Paris, Russia, US, Iceland), music tours (eg Hungary, Italy), sports tours (eg Barbados, Gibralter). Day pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. Second-hand uniform shop. No alcohol allowed.
Firm approach to discipline. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect report; those caught with drugs would expect instant expulsion.
Sixth form in single or double study bedrooms in sixth form centre; Years 9-11 share dorms of 3 or 4 with study facilities; Years 5-8 in family-style junior house. Qualified medical staff available. Central dining room. 2 termly exeats (2 nights) plus half-term and from Year 9 can stay in. Sixth form have flexible exeats, treated as students, encouraged to take responsibility. Weekend visits to the local city allowed from 16+ (but never alone nor after dark; reporting back in person).
Old Badmintonians, run by Juliet Lyal, c/o the school.
Dame Iris Murdoch (philospher, novelist); Indira Gandhi (ex-PM of India); Polly Toynbee (journalist); Dame Margaret Miles (educationalist); Claire Bloom, Phyllida Law, Rosamund Pike (actresses).
|
