Founded in 1788, it moved in 1934 from Central London to the Chilterns. Here there is a striking purpose-built establishment of spacious and well-appointed buildings, in 315 acres of superb grounds. Extremely comfortable accommodation and first-rate facilities include an unusually fine library. The teaching is of a high standard; examination results are good. There is a broad curriculum with particularly good art, textiles, design technology and performing arts departments. Sport and the sporting facilities are excellent, with many county level players. A feature is the school drill: a unique display of callisthenics and movement. The school has a fine record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 800 girls, 667 day, 133 boarding. Senior department 11-18, 606 girls. Entrance: Main entry age 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used; for sixth-form entry, subject test and GCSE grade B in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. Many senior pupils from own prep department (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, same address).
20+ pa scholarships, value up to 25% of fees: 8 academic, 1 art, 2 music, 2 sport, 1 all-rounder, 6 masonic (awarded at 11). Bursaries for families in need. Discount for siblings and Forces children. Parents not expected to buy textbooks, nor pay for educational visits; extras include instrumental and singing lessons, speech and drama, dancing.
Headmistress: Mrs Diana Rose, appointed 2002. Educated at Cambridge University (history, social and political science). Previously Deputy Head at Oxford High, Head of Sixth at St Helen's, and 13 years experience in maintained schools. Teaching staff: 67 full time, 16 part time plus music staff. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 45.
GCSE: 78 pupils in Year 11: almost all gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 82 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 310.
96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (7% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 49% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 14% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, hospitality and tourism management. Others typically go on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27 AS/A-level subjects (including psychology, economics and politics). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Applied A-levels in business studies, health and social care. Special provision: for mildly dyslexic pupils. Languages: French or Spanish (compulsory from age 7), German and Mandarin (from Year 8), all offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular visits to France and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 250 computers available for pupil use (access 14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Computers in sixth-form commonroom for maximum access, as well as designated ICT rooms.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including 5 choirs, orchestra, brass and woodwind ensembles, recorder consorts. Senior choir tours in Canada, US and Europe; chapel choir, evensong in St Paul's and other cathedrals; choirs in national finals McDonald's Music in the Community and in West End production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Drama and performance arts: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all pupils in house/other productions. 2 major productions annually. Some pupils in National Youth Theatre. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design technology, textiles and photography also offered. Design awards in national competitions organised by Sock Shop and BBC TV's Clothes Show. Textiles exhibit on permanent display in Science Museum.
Sport: Netball, tennis, hockey, swimming, rounders, athletics compulsory. Optional: badminton, squash, gymnastics, aerobics, trampolining, fencing, self-defence, riding. Swimming team in national finals (Bazuka national championships). BAGA and RLSS exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional but encouraged in sixth form. Up to 30 clubs, eg art, gym, synchronised swimming.
Uniform: School uniform worn; black suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed after elections, selection procedure and interview. School council with elected chair. Religion: Non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship compulsory on Sundays for boarders. Social: Joint debates, theatrical productions, musicals, choral society, games etc with other schools and with the general public. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. A few meals formal, most self-service. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and letter home; persistent offenders, a detention. Anybody caught smoking or drinking on premises after a first warning could expect a letter home followed by suspension or expulsion for repeated offenders. Anybody caught dealing in or using illegal substances would face exclusion.
Approx two thirds have own study bedroom; younger girls share in dormitories of 6+. Houses of 30+; separate houses for juniors and for sixth formers. 3 qualified sisters and 1 nursing assistant. Central dining room. 2 fixed weekend exeats each term, plus half-term; additional and more flexible exeats available according to age. Visits to the local town allowed weekly for juniors; more often and unaccompanied for 14+. Outings arranged for boarders each weekend.
is run by Hon Sec OMGA, c/o the school.
Wendy Richard (actress).
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