Founded in 1899, it is set on a 40-acre site on the edge of the town of Sherborne, overlooking open countryside. Pleasant buildings and first-class accommodation. A Church of England foundation, its services are compulsory but girls of other religions are welcome. A distinguished and civilised establishment with an exceptional staff:pupil ratio of 1:6. The school offers the International Baccalaureate alongside traditional A-levels. Academic standards are high and results good. Music, drama, sport and art are all very strong. There are first-rate games facilities and a high standard in sports and games (a large number of representatives at county level). A close relationship with Sherborne School allows co-ed opportunities including some joint lessons in the sixth form, music, drama, activities, clubs, societies and social occasions. Girls can also join the CCF at the boys' school.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 406 girls (30 day, 376 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exams used. No special skills or religious requirements (school is Anglican but pupils of other religions welcome). Girls are recruited from prep schools over a wide area.
Variable number of scholarships and exhibitions (academic, music, art, sport), most awarded to entrants at 13 but others at 11, 12 and 16; value up to 25% of fees. Also means-tested bursaries in case of demonstrable need (and may be combined with a scholarship). Approximately 20% of the year may be in receipt of some type of award.
40+% live within 50 miles; 20% live overseas.
Headmistress: Mrs Jenny Dwyer, in post since 2007. Educated at Homerton College (education and maths). Previously Headmistress at Prior's Field, Deputy Head at Queen Anne's (Caversham) and Housemistress at Benenden. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 24 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 65 in upper fifth, 100% passing in 8+ subjects. A-levels/IB: 72 in upper sixth. 14% of those taking AS/A-levels passed in 4+ subjects, 86% in 3 subjects - achieving an average final point score of 387. Average IB points score of those taking IB of 36.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 2% to Oxbridge. 19% take courses in science and engineering, 53% in humanities, 21% languages, 6% go on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, or IB Diploma. 22 GCSE subjects, 33 AS-level, 29 A-level. Sixth form: Approximately 7% take the IB, 93% AS/A-Levels. Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 12% take science A-levels; 54% arts/social sciences; 34% combinations. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. Some sixth form teaching joint with Sherborne School. Special provision: for mild dyslexia. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (over 75% take GCSE in more than one); also Italian and Russian A-level. Regular exchanges with schools in France, Russia and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (in subjects such as textile design, science projects, to illustrate and research arts projects). All pupils take computer literacy (Clait) and touch-typing courses. 170 computers for pupil use (12+ hours a day), networked and with email and internet access (both filtered); 34% of pupils have laptops through a joint parent/school initiative; large software bank through school intranet.
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams, GCSE, AS and A-level may be taken. Musical groups include Sherborne Schools' symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra, choirs, madrigal society, chamber groups and many ensembles. Pupils play in National Youth Orchestra and county youth orchestras and sing in National Youth Choir. Madrigal Society, choir and orchestra tour overseas; public concerts in Sherborne Abbey, St John's Smith Square; involved in Sherborne Musical Society annual oratorio and Dorset Opera. Regular series of celebrity concerts and masterclasses. Drama: Drama offered. A-level drama and theatre studies and Guildhall exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions and some in house, as well as joint productions with Sherborne. Art and design: On average 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. History of art taught jointly with Sherborne School. Computer-aided design, pottery, textiles, photography, printmaking also offered. Annual trips to Paris, Florence, Venice and New York.
Sport: Lacrosse, hockey, tennis, athletics, swimming, rounders, netball, karate, volleyball, basketball, badminton, riding, polo, squash, aerobics, indoor hockey, trampolining, dance, fencing, sailing, cricket, lifesaving. Girls play sports to county and national level. Activities: Bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, CCF and community service. 25+ clubs including Bays, newsroom, Amnesty International, photography, debating.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system is integral part of school ethos. Head of school and deputies appointed by Headmistress, following an application process. Religion: Church of England foundation. Most services compulsory. Social: Joint orchestra, drama and cultural studies with Sherborne and Leweston; weekend activities and social programme with Sherborne. Exchanges and visits abroad. Meals formal (each boarding house has own dining room and cook); self-service in upper sixth house. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do it in detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.
Upper sixth have own study bedrooms; majority of remainder in cubicles in dormitories of 6-10. Houses of 40-70: junior house (ages 11-12), 5 mixed-age houses, plus upper sixth house. Resident qualified nurse in health centre; doctor on call and 4 surgeries a week. Half term plus 2-3 exeats a term (1-2 nights); other overnight weekends by arrangement with housemistress. Visits to local towns allowed.
Joanna Carson, Old Girls Union Chairman, c/o the school
Dame Diana Reader Harris (former Headmistress and educationalist); Maria Aitken (actress and director); Emma Kirkby (soprano); Camila Batmanghelidjh (Kids Company); Rosa Beddington (developmental biologist); Santa Sebag-Montefiore (author).
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