Founded in 1785, it moved to its present site in 1857. A very pleasant 16-acre campus with splendid gardens, mature trees and playing fields. It has very good facilities; subjects are taught in specialist rooms with full access to modern technology. There is a drama suite, sports hall and swimming pool and a sixth-form centre. Tregelles, the junior department, uses many of the senior school's facilities. A Quaker school, its ethos is to encourage and develop the individual within a small, caring community. It prides itself on a welcoming atmosphere but aims, also, for academic excellence. It has all the advantages of a small school, with a good staff:pupil ratio. The AQA Baccalaureate is offered as an addition to AS and A-levels; examination results are very good. Music, drama and art are very strong. There is much involvement in local cultural activities and full use is made of the city's amenities, plus expeditions further afield. There is a wide range of sport and games (many regional and national representatives) and extra-curricular activities. Also a big commitment to local community services, Prince's Trust, Independent and State Schools Partnership and an outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 378 pupils, 36 day boys, 342 girls (283 day, 59 boarding). Junior department 3-11, 149 pupils (36 boys, 113 girls). Senior department 11-18, 229 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 (also 12, 13 and 14) and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements but school is Quaker. State school entry, 50% senior intakes.
45 pa scholarships, value 5% of fees (may be supplemented by a means-tested bursary to a maximum of 100% of fees): academic (at age 11, 13, 16); music (at 11 and 13); art, drama, sport (at 13 and 16). Some 32 pa means-tested bursaries awarded; also bursaries for Quakers according to need; limited help to children of old pupils. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; minimum of extras.
Approx 22% in education; 18% in health and social work; 11% in defence and public services; 10% construction; 8% finance. 50% live within 30 miles, 17% overseas.
Headmistress: Ms Julie Lodrick, appointed 2009. Educated at Chichester University (music & related arts; educational leaderships & management). Previously Deputy Head at Farlington. Teaching staff: 36 full time, 49 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.
GCSE: 41 pupils in Year 11: 94% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average 8.4 subjects). A-levels: 35 in upper sixth, who pass an average of 3.5 subjects with a final point score of 429.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (17% after a gap year), 15% to Oxbridge. 45% in science, engineering and medicine, 46% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, AQA Baccalaureate. 20 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 or 5 subjects at AS-level (mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level; in addition, some take AS/A-level general studies. Pupils may also take the extended project qualification and qualify for the AQA Baccalaureate. Vocational: Work experience available and encouraged in Year 11. Special provision: Specialist learning support teacher. Qualified EAL provision. Languages: French, German and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level (French or German compulsory to GCSE); also GCSE Spanish in sixth form and clubs in eg Russian, Japanese. Regular visits to Europe;. ICT: Computers with internet access, on wireless network throughout school (in computer rooms and all departments), access at all times. Pupils have email addresses. OCR Nationals in ICT offered.
Music: Majority of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12+ musical groups including choir, orchestras, rock band. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, LAMDA and RAD exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and other productions. Annual whole school production. Art and design: GCSE and A-level. Pottery, textiles (GCSE available) and photography also offered.
Sport: Gymnastics, swimming, hockey, netball, athletics, tennis, rounders, dance,outdoor education and biathlon compulsory at different ages. Optional: fencing, volleyball, badminton, rowing, judo, basketball. National fencing representatives; area and regional hockey, netball, tennis and athletics. Activities: Duke of Edinburgh's Award and community service optional at age 14 upwards. Up to 40 clubs, eg fencing, photography, debating, creative writing, poetry, pottery, Russian, politics.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Head girls elected by the school; all sixth form have school duties. School council. Religion: Quaker; attendance at daily meeting and Sunday evening meetings. Social: Events with other local schools: debates, Peacejam, joint meeting for worship and social events. Foreign language exchanges; trips abroad for language, art and art history, religious education, biennial classical trip (Italy). Meals self-service; a wide range of meals and dietary requirements are catered for. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Firm guidelines laid down along with encouragement of self-discipline. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect discussion and completion of work; if anyone were caught smoking cannabis on the premises they would be excluded immediately.
Pupils share with 2-6 others, depending on age. Houses of 30+, divided by age; sixth form separate. Qualified medical staff. Central dining room; sixth formers allowed to cook own food occasionally. 2 termly exeats. Visits to local town allowed.
is run by The Secretary, MOSA, c/o the school.
Dame Judi Dench (actress); Dame Margaret Drabble, A S Byatt (writers); Isobel Barnett (TV and radio presenter); Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman (MP); Jocelyn Burnell (astrophysicist); Mary Ure (actress); Kathy Killick (BBC); Hilary Wainwright (journalist and feminist); Rose Neil (Ulster TV); Anna Walker (TV presenter); Kate Bellingham (Tomorrow's World and Radio 5); Elfrida Vipoint (children's author); Rachel Howard (contemporary artist); Laura Sayers (Radio 1 producer); Jean Henderson (lawyer and Liberal politician).
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