Founded in 1953, by the Canonesses of St Augustine, at the request of a group of parents determined to send their daughters to a Catholic London day school. The school occupies two interconnecting townhouses in the heart of Knightsbridge. Pupils of all faiths and none are welcome and the school has a broad cultural mix. Girls are provided with a rounded education, designed to allow individual strengths to shine through. Academic results are good, balanced by a good number of extra-curricular activities. Music, drama and art are well supported and pupils regularly achieve local success in sports such as hockey and running. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is popular, and there is an active commitment to fundraising for charity.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 189 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 13. North London Consortium Entrance Exam used for Year 7; own exam for other years; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at grade C (grade A/B in some subjects if taking on to A-level). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 30% of intake at 11, 10% at 16.
8 pa scholarships, 5 awarded at age 11 and 3 at 16: 3 academic; 1 music, 1 drama, 1 art, 1 sport, 1 all-rounder; value £1350-£13,497. Busaries also available.
Headmaster: Mr Robert Carlysle, appointed 2007. Educated at Selhurst Grammar School and at Kings College London (history, PCGE) and the universities of Leicester (MBA) and York (certificate in dyslexia and literacy). Previously Founding Headmaster of Moat School, London, Deputy Headmaster at Wentworth College, Head of History at Sir William Perkins’s School. Also a Member of College of Preceptors. Teaching staff: 17 full time, 19 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 42.
GCSE: 27 pupils in fifth form: 82% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 14% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 19 in upper sixth; 5% passing in 4 subjects, 95% in 3 subjects, with an average final points score of 279
100% of sixth form leavers go on to degree courses (1% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 30% in art and design, 20% take other vocational subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 14 GCSE subjects, 23 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taught. 35% take science/maths subjects, 59% take arts/humanities, 6% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form subjects. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Learning support department is integral to the school. EAL tuition available; also weekly visits from a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist. Languages: French (Years 7-9), German (Yrs 7-8) and Spanish (Yr 9) all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Russian GCSE and Italian AS/A-level; Japanese offered but not examined. Girls must study at least one language at GCSE. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject age 11-14 and across the curriculum. 80 computers for pupil use (all day), all networked and with email and internet access. Some students have their own laptops; computer nests in key areas (sixth-form common room, library etc) and a computer suite; wireless hotspots throughout the school.
Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Over 10 musical groups, including chamber choir, showstoppers, wind band and rock band. One pupil recently accepted to conservatoire. Drama and dance: Both offered as part of the curriculum and in extra-curricular activites. GCSE and A-level drama offered and Royal Academy of Dance exams can be taken. Majority of pupils involved in school productions, all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 23 take GCSE, 8 AS-level, 7 A-level. Textiles, air-dried clay, photography, design also offered.
Sport: Football, hockey, netball, PE, tennis, rounders compulsory. Fencing, dance, running optional. GCSE, AS and A-level PE can be taken. U15 hockey team represented the borough in London Youth Games; also represents borough in running. Activities: Pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Money raised each year for charity chosen by the school (eg Red Nose Day, Children in Need). 15 clubs, including cookery, gardening, card, film, book group, keep fit.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, prefects, head of house and house prefects appointed by the school and Headmaster. School Council. Religion: School is Roman Catholic. Social: Annual music tour; skiing trips; history tours to eg Russia/The Somme. Pupils may bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Failure to produce homework will result in a purple slip to the form tutor and a 20 minute detention. Pupils caught with illegal substances could expect expulsion.
is run by Miss Emma Donohoe, alumnae@morehouse.org.uk
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