Founded in 1885 by the Girls' Day School Trust. It transferred to its present site in 1897, with pleasant grounds that slope down to the River Severn. Over the years it has expanded steadily, the most recent buildings being a sports hall, performing arts centre, library, sixth form house and IT suite. Following the acquisition of a boys' prep school, the junior department is now co-eductional: a nursery and pre-prep, and a prep school from age 8 (to 11 for girls, 13 for boys). A broad general education is provided and examination results are very good. It has a large orchestra and choir, and over half the pupils learn a musical instrument. Drama and art well supported. A range of sports and games is offered and high standards are achieved. Pupils regularly play at county and regional level, particularly in cross country, netball, rounders and hockey. A wide range of extra-curricular activities include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and a variety of overseas trips.
Pupils: Total age range 2-18; 760 day pupils (84 boys, 676 girls). Senior department 11-18, 496 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 2½, 9, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. Own prep department provides approximately 60% of senior intake.
GDST scholarships and means-tested bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks or pay public exam fees.
Wide range of parents, who are interested and supportive.
Headmistress: Mrs Marilyn Cass, in post since 2000. Educated at universities of Exeter (geography) and Bath (educational management). Previously Deputy Head of Redland High and Head of Modern Studies at Royal School, Bath. Teaching staff: 56 full time, 39 part time.
GCSE: 75 pupils in fifth, 93% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 7% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 46 in upper sixth, gaining an average final point score of 322.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 8% to Oxbridge. 13% take courses in medicine and veterinary science, 31% in science and engineering, 8% in humanities and social sciences, 29% in arts and languages, 19% in vocational courses eg law, business management, physiotherapy. Others typically go on to HND courses, drama school or work in eg leisure, accountancy, insurance.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (some complementary, some contrasting), 3 at A-level. Key skills: all pupils take ICT qualifications. 25% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 25% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level. 60+% take GCSE in more than 1 language. Regular exchanges. Some work experience abroad. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg spreadsheets and charts in science, graphics in art, databases in maths). 260 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day); all networked and many with email and internet access. 95% of pupils have computers at home.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include an orchestra and 2 choirs. Drama and dance: Both offered. LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Students have been in National and Northern Youth Theatres and accepted by RADA. Art and design: On average, 36 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles and photography also offered. Recent pupils accepted by eg Courtauld Institute, Central Saint Martins, Leeds.
Sport: Hockey, netball, volleyball, tennis, athletics, cross-country, rounders, gym, dance, badminton, table tennis. Sixth form only: rowing, multi-gym, swimming. BAGA exams may be taken. Tennis, pupils competing at all levels; badminton and hockey at national level; cross-country and netball at county level. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community work optional at age 16. Many charity fund-raising events; each form organises an event each term. Up to 10 clubs, eg debating, chess, keep fit, badminton, Amnesty International, aerobics, art, drama, gardening, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suitable office wear in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects for each house; head girl - elected by staff and sixth form; house captains elected by school. Religion: Regular non-denominational morning assembly. Social: Drama, music, debating with local schools; organised trips abroad, eg skiing (Europe), classical (Greece, Italy), languages (France, Germany, Spain), expeditions and school exchanges. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school.
Minor misdemeanours dealt with according to the circumstances. No regular detentions necessary; emphasis on positive self-discipline and co-operation.
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