Founded in 1876 by the Girls' Day School Trust. It has occupied its present premises since 1882, the core of which is the original Victorian building on a single urban site. Well-equipped buildings include a science block, a languages laboratory, theatre and sports hall. The junior school and 4-acre sports field are nearby. It is a selective, highly academic school and examination results are excellent; a high proportion of sixth-form leavers go on to Oxbridge. It is particularly strong in music, drama and art; large numbers of pupils are involved in choral and orchestral concerts. There is a good range of games and sports. Numerous activities, clubs and societies cater for a wide range of enthusiasms. It has flourishing local connections and a substantial commitment to charitable activities. A fine record in Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 815 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 573 girls. Entrance: Main entry age 4, 7 and 11. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 25% of senior intake from state schools; 50% from own junior (enquiries to the Junior Department, South Hampstead High, 5 Netherhall Gardens, London NW3 5RN, tel 020 7794 7198, email junior@shhs.gdst.net).
1-4 pa scholarships, value up to 50% fees: 1-2 academic, 1-2 music (awarded at 11 and 16). Variable number of means-tested bursaries. Music tuition extra.
20+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 10+% in industry or commerce; 20+% in the City; 20+% in the theatre, music, media, advertising.
Headmistress: Jennifer Stephen, in post from 2005. Previously Headmistress of The Grange School, Cheshire, and of Gateways School, Leeds. Teaching staff: 44 full time, 24 part time.
GCSE: 93 pupils in Year 11; 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 65 pupils in Year 13: 26% passed in 4+ subjects; 74% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 416.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (32% after a gap year), 19% to Oxbridge. 9% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 12% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 65% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 19 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (few take 5), 3-4 at A-level; great range of combinations taken; general studies and critical thinking taught but not examined. Approx 20% take science A-levels; 20% arts/humanities; 60% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience in UK and Europe. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; after school courses in Japanese. Regular exchanges. Active European club; students' trips for every age group; work experience in France, Germany and Spain for sixth formers; talks from MEPs and others with European interests in sixth-form general studies course. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Most Year 10 take ECDL. 275 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils also have internet access at home; some use laptops in school. Sixth form have their own computer room.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken termly. 17 take GCSE music and 2 A-level. Some 15 musical groups, 3 orchestras, 6 choirs, and jazz band, groups for most instrumentalists, chamber and jazz groups. Choir recently 3rd at International Eisteddfod, performed at Schools Prom and on tours and in broadcasts. Drama and dance: Both offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and drama club productions. Art and design: On average 40 take GCSE, 30 A-level art; 14 take A-level design and technology. Fine art, graphic design, 3D, textile work, photography, photo-silkscreen work and computer-aided art and video compilation offered. Approx 4 pa students go to art school/fine art university courses.
Sport: Netball, hockey, gym and dance, tennis, rounders, athletics, football, basketball, pop lacrosse, health related fitness and use of cardio-vascular equipment compulsory. Optional: volleyball, cricket, badminton, squash, trampolining, aerobics, self-defence and Community Sports Leader Award. Regular county netball players, U16, U18. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Strong commitment to community service (large numbers participate in pensioners' link). Up to 50 clubs, eg 3 drama, 2 dance, netball, tennis, rounders, computing, debating, archives, literary, Euroclub, many orchestras and choirs.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Head girl (and other positions of responsibility) appointed after submitting cv and being interviewed. School Council. Religion: Everyone attends a non-denominational assembly. Social: Regular joint orchestra and concerts with University College School, also drama productions and societies, speakers and debates; joint sports tour to South Africa 2008 (rugby, netball, hockey). Modern language trips to Europe (eg Greece, Italy), choir tours, skiing. Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect reprimand; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion. (The policy of the Council is to suspend the pupil and inform the police.)
Rabbi Julia Neuberger (social reformer); Fay Weldon (author); Miriam Karlin, Helena Bonham-Carter, Olivia Williams, Angela Lansbury (actresses); Sarah Francis (oboist), Nina Milkina and Joanna Macgregor (pianists); Harriet Mena Hill (artist); Jennifer Temkin (professor of law, Sussex University), Lynne Featherstone (Liberal Democrat MP).
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