Founded in 1915, it was in the care of the Sisters of Mercy until transferred to lay management in 1990; a lay Head was appointed in 1991. Now co-educational, it was founded as a girls' school and first accepted boys in 1983. The junior and senior departments share a single, semi-rural site, with pleasant buildings in wooded grounds. A Roman Catholic foundation, it is ecumenical and its ethos is firmly based on Christian principles.It has a broard intake(ut no special needs provision) and a growing sixth form. A sound education is provided, and the examination results are very good. Despite a wide catchment area, there is a number of after-school activities, sport and drama. There are national and county players in a variety of sports.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 265 day pupils (125 boys, 140 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 3% senior intakes plus 10% to sixth form.
Infrequent financial help, according to need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; other extras 60 per term per subject (eg music).
Farmers, hoteliers, medical and other professionals.
Headmistress: Miss Anne Parkinson, appointed in 1991. Educated at Llanrwst Grammar and University of Wales (modern languages). Previously Senior Mistress at More House School, London. Teaching staff: 32 full and part time.
GCSE: 34 pupils in Year 11: All gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 13 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.3 subjects.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 50% take courses in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels: 18 subjects.Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 3-4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Key skills not taught (although all do ECDL). Languages: French, German offered to GCSE and A-level and Welsh to GCSE. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum; all pupils take ECDL in Year 11. 50+ computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), many networked, all with email and broadband internet access.
Music: Approx 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 2 musical groups: choir and orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered. Drama offered at GCSE and AS-level. LAMDA exams may also be taken. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: Broad range of media offered.
Sport: Netball (girls), football (boys), basketball, hockey, tennis, athletics, volleyball compulsory. Optional sports include rugby, gymnastics, badminton. National and county players in badminton, gymnastics, sailing, football, rugby and athletics.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - elected by the sixth form. Religion: Roman Catholic. Compulsory assembly (parents have right of withdrawal). Social: Games fixtures and occasional joint ventures with other schools. Meals: packed lunches. School tuck shop.
The school has a code of discipline: infringements may incur detention. The school reserves the right to suspend and/or exclude pupils.
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