Founded in 1878, the school occupies a single site on the outskirts of London. It consists of the original main building, dating from 1892, and several modern buildings erected during the last 25 years. New facilities include an early years centre, a fully-equipped art and science block, indoor swimming pool, sports hall and a performing arts centre which houses a drama studio, recital hall, music technology suite, recording studio and music rooms. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Girls are also encouraged to participate in music and drama. A good range of sports and games are offered, along with a wide variety of clubs and activities. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and World Challenge are well supported and there is a strong commitment to local community schemes.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 820 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 470 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. North London Girls' School Consortium exam at 11+; own exam at other ages. For sixth form entry, 9 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A is in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements.
Scholarships awarded to entrants to the senior school (academic, music, art and design, sport); also academic scholarships for sixth-form entrants. Means-tested bursaries for sixth-form entrans, up to 100% of fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras £250.
Head Mistress: Miss Jacqualyn Pain, appointed 2009. Educated at St Helen and St Katherine, Abingdon and at the universities of Wales (theology), London and Leicester (educational management). Previously Head at St Albans High and The Henrietta Barnet School, Deputy Head at Northwood College and senior teacher at James Allen’s. Teaching staff: 64 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 87 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 63 in upper sixth, all passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of 362.
Almost all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year). 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 6% in mathematical or financial subjects, 8% in science and engineering, 15% in law, humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design. Others read a range of subjects such as computer science and architectural studies.
GCSE, and AS and A-levels. 25 GCSE subjects, 27 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, sixth formers follow a complementary studies programme. 44% take science and maths A-levels; 17% arts and humanities; 39% combinations. Critical thinking AS-level offered. Languages: French from Year 3, Latin from Year 4, Spanish and German in Year 6. Year 7 girls choose two languages from French, German and Spanish; all offered at A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Spain and Germany). Sixth form attend language courses in France. ICT: Taught both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject. 300 networked computers, all with internet access. Interactive whiteboard. GCSE and A-level ICT offered. Pupils take Clait.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs and vocal ensembles, concert bands, chamber ensembles. Drama and dance: Both offered as part of the curriculum. GCSE and A-level drama, ESB and Central exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Recent productions include Little Women, Fidder on the Roof and Dream On. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design technology, textiles, graphic design also offered.
Sport: Rounders, hockey, netball, dance, swimming, gymnastics, tennis compulsory at various ages. Optional: volleyball, badminton, trampolining. County and borough representatives at hockey, netball, swimming and rounders; borough team winners at netball; county hockey and netball tournament entrants. GCSE and A-level offered. Activities: Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Clubs include debating, science, maths, music, art, drama, sports, languages and T+ (for the gifted and talented).
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, heads of houses, nominated by senior pupils and staff and appointed by Head Mistress. Religion: Non-denominational. Assembly for all. Social: Joint careers events, productions, charity events, conferences and social events with John Lyon school. Organised trips have included classical tours, ski trips, art tours, choir tour in France, hockey and netball courses, geography and biology field trips and modern language trips. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service.
Mutual respect for all underpins the very effective discipline at Northwood College. This is reinforced regularly through a system of rewards for good behaviour and work.
Former pupil Dame Margaret Booth (Judge).
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