Opened in 1882 as a sister school to Bedford School, and also part of the Harpur Trust. It is in the process of merging with Dame Alice Harpur School, which belongs to the same foundation; the junior schools are fully merged from 2010, the senior schools from 2012. It will be the site on Cardington Road, which has modern buildings with gardens and playing fields, on a riverside site. Non-denominational Christian values of caring, understanding and respect for others are fundamental to the ethos of the school. Pupils come from a wide variety of backgrounds. The International Baccalaureate is now offered in addition to AS and A-level courses. Academic standards are high and examination results are accordingly very good. A wide range of subjects is offered, from traditional disciplines including Latin and Greek, to music technology and ICT skills. There is a strong commitment to the expressive arts including dance. Sports and games are well catered for (including trampolining and judo) and pupils play for county and regional teams; rowing is a particular strength. Numerous clubs and activities cater for most needs and there is keen participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Many activities, such as debating, music, drama, and CCF are joint with Bedford School.
Pupils: Total age range 11-18, 500 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. Many pupils from affiliated junior school.
Academic scholarships awarded at 11, 12, 13 and 16; also music scholarships. Means-tested bursaries. Additional assistance for parents whose financial circumstances change. Extras include lunches and music tuition, speech and drama, and other select activities.
Headmistress: Mrs Julie Eldridge, appointed 2007. Educated at Rugby High School and the universities of Bristol and Leicester (geography). Previously Deputy Head and Head of Department at the school, and geography teacher at Sandy Upper School and Queensbury School, Dunstable. Former A-level examiner and member of the OCR Eastern Regional Consultative Committee. Teaching staff: 68 full time, 31 part time.
GCSE: 86 pupils in Year 11, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 100 in upper sixth. Of the 80 taking A-levels, 28% passed in 4+ subjects, 70% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 357. The 20 pupils taking the IB gained an average of 36 IB points.
91% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (4% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 10% take medical and related courses, 22% in maths, science and engineering, 3% in law, 28% in humanities, social sciences and languages, 18% in vocational subjects such as architecture, education, management, business studies, 6% in music and performing arts. A further 3% of sixth formers typically go on to a non-degree course, eg art foundation, prior to a degree.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB Diploma. 22 GCSE subjects, 28 AS/A-level, 18 IB Diploma. Sixth form: 20% of sixth formers take the IB Diploma. Remainder take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level. Also an enriched sixth form programme. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level (choice of modern languages from age 12). Regular exchanges to Belgium, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught across the curriculum, including Word, Photoshop, Illustrator and full internet skills. 120 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), many networked with email and internet access. Wireless provision and 'portable class room'. Good links with the ICT industry.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 15 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, woodwind, wind, big bands, madrigal group, brass, strings, flute ensembles. Performances in Berlin on exchange visits. Girls regularly record BBC school music programmes. Drama and dance: Both offered and available to GCSE and A-level; LAMDA, RAD, ISTD exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions, and biennial dance concert. Art and design: Options in graphic design, textiles, ceramics, drawing and painting. Close co-operation with design technology department.
Sport: Gymnastics, swimming, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, rounders, netball compulsory. Optional: rowing, basketball, volleyball, aerobics, athletics, yoga, show jumping, self-defence, badminton. Many county, regional, and some national representatives in tennis, hockey, netball, lacrosse, athletics, rowing and swimming. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF joint with Bedford School. Community service optional from age 15. Up to 40 clubs, including computer, swimming, trampolining, gymnastics, judo, Christian Union, languages, design and technology, rock band, art, chess, junior writers, public speaking, classics, chemistry, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. School officers, head girl - elected by staff and sixth form. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school. Attendance at daily assemblies compulsory unless written permission obtained. Social: Activities with Bedford School include classical society, debating, music and drama, sport. Trips abroad include skiing holidays, sports tours (lacrosse, hockey, swimming), classics trips (Italy, Greece), sailing (France). Sixth form pupils may bring own bike or car to school with permission (but no parking facilities). Meals self-service. School shop.
A merit and order mark system support positive or negative performance of pupils; merit system supports overall house points. School policies available; those on child protection and drugs on school website.
The Guild can be contacted via the school website.
Rosemary Rapaport (volinist), Steph Cook (pentathlete), Thea King (clarinetist), Dora Carrington (painter).
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