Founded in 1878, as a member of the Girls' Day School Trust. It moved from the town centre to its present semi-rural site in Hardingstone in 1992. Its purpose-built premises offer a wide range of facilities including a sports complex, indoor pool and a separate sixth form area. Teaching is excellent and examination results very good. Emphasis is also placed on pupils' personal development. A range of sports is available with success at county, regional and national level. Many extra-curricular activities at lunchtime or after school, including Young Enterprise, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and local community service.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 740 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 480 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 9, 11, 13 and 16. NFER tests and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C including English (grade B in sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 40% of senior intake; 50% from own junior department.
Academic scholarships available at 10, 11, 13, 16; also art and sports scholarships at 11. Bursaries to allow those of good academic ability to attend the school, awarded on the basis of the entrance exam and subject to financial status. Textbooks and exam fees included in fees.
Headmistress: Mrs Sarah Dixon, appointed 2007. Educated at Belvedere School, Liverpool, and Warwick University (English). Previously Headmistress of Peterborough High School, Head of Department at Bedford School and Assistant Mistress at Stamford High. Also ISC Inspector. Teaching staff: 69 full time, 36 part time.
GCSE: 78 pupils in upper fifth, gaining at least grade C in an average of 8.9 subjects. A-levels: 50 in upper sixth; 46% passed in 4+ subjects; 42% in 3 subjects - and gaining an average final point score of 370.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a range of degree courses, in science, engineering, arts, law, modern languages and vocational studies.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects offered, 26 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, most take AS and A-level general studies. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Special needs co-ordinator provides support (to girls and staff). Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. German compulsory for 1 year, French for 3. Regular trips abroad. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 130+ computers for pupil use with email and internet access. Laptops provided for sixth formers.
Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, small bands. Drama and dance: Many pupils involved in school and other productions. Drama GCSE, AS and A-level available. Art and design: GCSE, AS and A-level offered in art and design technology (food, textiles, resistant material and graphics).
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, athletics, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: squash, table-tennis, basketball, badminton, football. Pupils in county tennis, hockey, swimming and netball teams. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Also Outward Bound; community service optional, some sixth formers involved weekly (Oxfam, hospitals etc); all form groups raise money for a charity of their choosing. Some 25 extra-curricular activities, including trampolining, art, craft, gardening, drama plus various music and sports activities.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (sixth form head of each). Head girl and 2 deputies elected by sixth form. School Council. Religion: Secular. Daily assemblies reflecting ethos of the school. Social: Debates, public speaking, sporting activities with other schools. Trips overseas to eg Normandy, Russia, Venezuela; participates in World Challenge. Pupils allowed to bring own car, motorbike or bike to school. Meals self-service.
Agreed code of conduct for all students; atmosphere of mutual respect.
run by Mrs C White, c/o the school.
Caroline Oldrey (TV newscaster); Elizabeth Manningham-Buller (former Director of MI5); Anne Fine (children's author); Caroline Bradley (international show jumper); Jackie Enfield and Caitlin McClatachey (Olympic swimmers).
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