Founded in 1940 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame; they withdrew in 1987 and it is now a corporate charity under a lay governing body. It is fully co-educational, having admitted boys since 1994, and provides a full education from nursery through to senior school. The school occupies a campus on the Meridian which comprises of 35 acres of lawns, formal gardens, orchards and playing fields on the edge of the attractive village of Lingfield. The pleasant buildings are well equipped; recent developments have included new science, music, performing arts, ICT and art and technology facilities, as well as a sports hall, fitness suite and astroturf pitch. The school is ecumenical and its philosophy is based on a firm belief in the development of the whole person, encompassing maximum care and support for the individual. A sound general education is provided and examination results are good. It is strong in music, drama and art. There is a range of sports and games, enhanced in the sixth form to include sports such as kick boxing and sailing. Extra-curricular activities include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and World Challenge.
Pupils: Total age range 2½-18; 814 day pupils (399 boys, 415 girls). Junior department 2½-11, 330 pupils (162 boys, 168 girls). Senior department 11-18, 484 pupils (237 boys, 247 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 2½, 4, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, interview and report from previous school; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade A (including sixth form subjects). State school entry 50% of main senior intake at 11.
20 pa scholarships (academic, sports and music), value 5%-50% fees. Variable bursaries, based on financial need. Parents expected to buy maths textbooks; maximum extras £50.
Principal: Mrs N E Shepley, in post from 1991. Educated at St Louis Convent, Ballymena (Northern Ireland) and Birmingham University (mathematics, history). Previously Deputy Head and Head of Mathematics at Ruskin High School, Crewe. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 17 part time.
GCSE: 76 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 48 in upper sixth: 2% passed in 4+ subjects; 98% in 3 subjects - gaining an average final point score of 467.
94% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (18% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 21% take courses in science and engineering, 43% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in medicine or law, 9% in languages. The remainder typically go on to non-degree courses or training.
GCSE, AS and A-level. 22 subjects at GCSE, 23 at AS-level, 22 A-level, plus non-examination subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (with increasing breadth), 3 at A-level; some also take AS-level critical thinking. Key skills and citizenship integrated into sixth form PSE programme. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Help for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French (compulsory to Year 11), German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Study trips to France and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Courses in music technology offered, also band workshops. Musical groups include orchestras, flute, choir, ensembles, rock bands. Pupils participate in local festivals, are in National Youth Choir, National Youth Orchestra, local orchestras and choirs; pupils regularly go on to music degrees/careers etc. Choir winner of local festival; rock bands regularly perform on radio and in public competitions (eg Meridian FM Battle of the Bands). Drama and dance: GCSE drama, AS and A-level theatre studies, LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions, including dance productions. Art and design: Offered at GCSE and A-level.
Sport: Hockey, netball, dance, gymnastics, athletics, rounders, tennis, football, cricket, basketball, rugby, volleyball compulsory. Optional: golf, self defence, table tennis, water sports. Sixth form: aerobics, hockey, badminton, kick boxing, sailing, horse riding. GCSE and A-level PE offered. Regular sports tours. Regular county and occasional national representatives at various sports; national netball champions in ISA sports competition. Activities: Pupils take Duke of Edinburgh Award. Outward Bound and community service optional. Successful public speaking team; other activities include dance, drama, World Challenge. Sixth form activities include cooking on a budget, basic car maintenance, basic electrical awareness and various fund raising events.
Uniform: School uniform worn, modified in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl/boy and heads of houses, appointed in consultation with staff. School council and sixth-form council. Religion: Compulsory Christian morning assembly. Social: Drama, debates, orchestral and choral concerts; sixth-form social events with local independent schools. Trips abroad include language trips, educational and sporting holidays, activity trips (eg Tanzania, Bulgaria). Sixth formers allowed to bring own car to school. Hot school lunches served, plus breakfast club. School shop sells stationery.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to catch up and parents informed; detention for persistent offenders. Parental involvement in disciplinary procedure is regarded as very important; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on the premises would be expelled.
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