Founded in 1873 by the Girls' Public Day School Company in Notting Hill. It moved to Ealing in 1931 and now occupies a pleasant suburban site. The core consists of several large houses to which modern blocks have been added, most recently a new building with a swimming pool and a music recital hall. There are playgrounds and ample gardens. It has its own junior school. Academic expectations are high and examination results are very good. Art, drama, music and sport are strong and there is a range of games and extra curricular activities. There is a school-wide policy of personal development and pupils are encouraged to gain confidence through debating, discussion, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. European links are strong. Concern for the environment permeates all aspects of school life. Good commitment to local social services.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18, 870 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 560 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Consortium entrance exam and interview used. Academic ability looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry, 50% of new intake at 11, 10% at 16. Own junior provides 50% senior intake.
7+ pa scholarships, value 5%-50% fees: 1+ academic (at 11), 1+ music, 5 sixth form (academic, art, drama, PE, and all-rounder). Bursaries depending on family income. Fees include textbooks and public examination fees.
Headmistress: Ms Lucinda Hunt, in post from 2008. Educated at London University (physics). Previously Deputy Head at St Paul's Girls' School. Teaching staff: 36 full time, 20 part time in senior school. Annual turnover 5%-10%.
GCSE: 85 pupils in upper fifth; 100% gained at least grade C in 10+ subjects. A-levels: 78 in upper sixth; 10% pass in 4+ subjects, 90% in 3+ subjects - achieving an average final point score of 348.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 10% to Oxbridge. 13% take courses in medicine, dentistry and pharmacology, 13% in science and engineering, 74% in humanities and social sciences. Pupils have life-long careers support from GDST Minerva Network.
GCSE/IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 GCSE subjects, 22 at A-level. Sixth form: 37% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 23% both. Range of additional sixth form courses including ancient Greek, Italian, website design, critical thinking, jewellery making. Special provision: Pupils screened at 11; visiting teacher gives assistance to mild dyslexics of all ages. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Chinese offered to GCSE and A-level (all study 2 languages to age 14, including Chinese for at least 1 year). Regular exchanges and visits (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum in areas such as research using the internet, CAD, multimedia for language. 250 computers for pupil use (open all day), all networked and with email and internet access. Virtual learning environment with access to school digital resources from home computers.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. A number of musical groups, including several choirs, 3 orchestras, madrigal choir. Drama and dance: Both offered. 19% take GCSE drama, 12% take A-level; Guildhall or LAMDA exams may be taken as an extra. Many pupils are involved in school productions, public-speaking and debating groups. Art and design: On average, 25% take GCSE, 10% A-level. Painting, drawing, graphics, collage, printing also offered; also jewellery-making (school has own silver assay mark).
Sport: Netball, hockey, tennis, athletics, gym, dance, badminton, volleyball, fencing, yoga, aerobics, squash, swimming, water polo. County and regional representation in gym, netball, tennis and badminton. Activities: Pupils take Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; each form undertakes charity work to raise money. Clubs and societies include animation, computers, gymnastics, literary, science, lighting, jazz, photography, water polo.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system to give younger girls support and older girls leadership opportunities. No prefects; head girl and deputies chosen by sixth form. Sixth form secretaries' assist in all departments and school areas, to develop own interests and leadership skills. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational; morning assembly with variable content. Social: Trips overseas include language trips (Spain, France, Germany), geography and art (Spain, Iceland, New York), sixth form (Sinai, Borneo, China), art, drama, classics, music (Italy), skiing (Austria), history (Moscow, St Petersburg); plus activity holidays in UK. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school (covered bike sheds and cycle training provided). Meals self-service.
High standards of behaviour are expected, with self-discipline and respect for others. Detentions are occasionally given. Pupils found smoking should expect suspension; involvement with illegal drugs results in expulsion.
Angela Rumbold (politician); Bettany Hughes (historian); Kathryn Flett (journalist); Konnie Huq (Blue Peter presenter); Jane Sigaloff (novelist); Angellica Bell (TV presenter).
|
