Founded by a Mrs Holles in 1906 as a 'model school' for boys and girls, later becoming a school for girls only and adopting its present name in the 1980s. It moved to Stoneygate in 1926, a residential area some 2 miles south of the city centre. Both senior and junior schools are on a single site, set back from the road. A number of modern buildings have been added to the original Victorian house, all in attractive landscaped grounds with tennis and netball courts and gardens. It is a Christian foundation school, emphasising the importance of integrity, honesty and consideration for others. Classes are generally kept to about 20, usually under ten in the sixth form; examination results are very good. There is a standard range of sports (some county representatives in netball and senior badminton). There is a large number of extra-curricular activities and considerable emphasis on charity work and community service. A wide variety of clubs and societies and a large proportion are involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 435 day girls. Junior department 3-10, 111 girls. Senior school 10-18, 324 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs grade B (including English and maths), usually grade A in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 40% of new intake at 11, few into sixth form. Over 70% of senior intake from own junior department.
Approx 9 pa scholarships, value 5%-10% of fees: 4 academic, 5 music. Some bursaries for pupils in financial difficulties. Parents not expected to buy textbooks (except in sixth form); average extras £200 a term.
Headmistress: Mrs Julia Burns, appointed in 2003. Educated at Ranelagh School, Bracknell, and universities of Southampton (history) and Birmingham (PGCE). Previously Deputy Head at Kingsley School, Head of History at Loughborough High School and history teacher at Nottingham High for Girls. Member of GSA. Teaching staff: 37 full time, 14 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 44.
GCSE: 46 pupils in Year 11, 97% gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 30 in upper sixth, all passing in 4+ subjects (+ an AS-level), with an average final point score of 480.
Typically, all sixth-form leavers go on to degree courses, 3% to Oxbridge. 32% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 39% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in business, 3% in art and design, 8% in vocational subjects (eg midwifery, journalism, PE, law).
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 exam subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all follow an enrichment programme. 20% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 40% both. Vocational: Work experience in Year 12. Careers lessons in Years 10-11. Special provision: SEN co-ordinator; many pupils helped by small class sizes. Languages: French compulsory Years 1-5, German (introduced in Year 6) and Spanish (from Year 7); all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 150 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with internet access.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument or sing; instrumental and vocal exams can be taken. Music groups include choirs, orchestras, string and woodwind groups. Several in county orchestras. GCSE and A-level offered. Drama and dance: Taught in lower school and as part of school productions; 50+% take speech and drama lessons. LAMDA exams may be taken, also drama GCSE and theatre studies A-level. Majority of pupils involved in school and external productions. Art and design: On average, 12 take GCSE, 4 A-level. Printing, drawing and painting offered.
Sport: Netball, hockey, volleyball, badminton, rounders, athletics, tennis, gym compulsory. Sixth form additional options: fitness, aerobics, squash, golf, rock climbing, self-defence, volleyball, badminton, football. Some county representatives in netball and senior badminton. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Community service compulsory for 1 year at 16. Up to 30 clubs eg sports, IT, dance, music, debating, art and design, film, robotics. Fundraising is strong throughout the school.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, prefects appointed (end of Year 12). Religion: Church of England. Morning assembly compulsory. Social: Debating, public-speaking competitions etc with other schools. Sixth form visits to eg Paris, trips abroad, battlefields tours, theatre visits, skiing trips; expeditions to eg Iceland, Tanzania. Meals formal.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might be given an order mark (detention after 3 order marks); those caught in possession of illegal drugs could expect immediate expulsion.
is run by the School Development Officer (developmentofficer@leicesterhigh.co.uk)
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