Founded in 1882 in Redland Grove as a small independent school. In 1885 it moved to its present site, where the main building is a handsome 18th-century mansion in pleasant gardens with floodlit tennis/netball courts, and the junior school is nearby. Pupils come from a wide geographic area and from all sections of the community. The sixth form plays an important part in the running of the school. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. There are flourishing music, drama and art departments, a full range of sports and games as well as a good variety of extra-curricular activities. Some commitment to local community services and an impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Every year there is a Young Enterprise Company in the School. Full use is made of Bristol's cultural amenities.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 585 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 445 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages to senior school 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements.
Scholarships (including for music), school assisted places and bursaries awarded at 11, 13 and 16. Means-tested bursaries for entrants aged 9 upwards. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmistress: Mrs Caroline Bateson, in post since 2006. Educated at Ffynone House School, Swansea, and at University College London, Institute of Education and University of the West of England. Previously Deputy Head at Badminton School. Teaching staff: 51 full time, 18 part time.
GCSE: 79 pupils in Year 11: 92% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects (27% gaining straight A/A* grades). A-levels: 50 in Year 13. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 302.
99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year) 5% to Oxbridge. 30% take courses in science and medicine, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 7% in law, 3% in arts and design. Others typically go on to art or drama colleges.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 AS/A-level subjects (including history of art, psychology, critical thinking, theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 18% take science/engineering A-levels; 35% take arts/humanities; 47% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses or activities. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin and Greek offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges and visits (France, Spain and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 110 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), 58 networked and with email and internet access. GCSE (short or full) course can be taken in Years 10-11.
Music: 40+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental/vocal exams are taken. Musical groups include orchestras, wind bands, swing band, chamber groups and choirs. Some members of National Youth Orchestra, and of both county schools orchestra and symphonic wind band. Drama and dance: Both offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Recent productions include Sweet Charity, Grimm Tales and The Winter's Tale. Art and design: On average, 30-40 take GCSE, 6-14 A-level history of art, 6-14 art and design. Design, pottery, textiles also offered.
Sport: compulsory hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, dance. Optional: cricket, soccer, squash, badminton, table tennis, weight training. GCSE, AS and A-level exams may be taken. Tennis, netball and hockey teams regularly compete at national and county level. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Fund-raising for numerous charities. Up to 30 clubs, eg drama, maths, computer, art history, design and technology, various music and sports, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (4). No prefects but sixth-form executive committee; head girl - elected by staff and sixth form. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Occasional joint meetings, musical performances and drama productions with other city schools. Exchanges with schools in Bordeaux and Marburg (Germany); trips to Spain, France, Italy, Mexico and Brussels. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school.
High expectation of behaviour eventually leading to self-discipline.
is run by Miss Janet Yerbury, c/o the school.
Tanya Beckett (BBC presenter); Lynn Farleigh (actress); Sophie Anderton (model); Tita and Phoebe Lau (X Factor finalists).
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