Founded in 1975, it is one of the St James Schools. The school has modernised buildings with good facilities. Pupils from all faiths and traditions welcome. The curriculum is challenging and, together with the extra curricular activities on offer, seeks to develop each pupil's individual strengths. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and community service are offered and have good participation rates. Developing honesty, dignity and magnanimity are key elements of the school's ethos.
Pupils: Age range 10-18, 265 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 12, 13, 16. North London Consortium entrance exam at 11+ and interview; for sixth form entry, 5 good GCSEs (grade B in sixth form subjects) plus own exam and interview. No special skills or religious requirements. 35% of pupils from state schools, 30% from independent schools, 35% from own junior school (telephone 020 7348 1777).
Limited bursary help on means-tested basis for current pupils and for new pupils under specific circumstances. Parents expected to buy sixth form textbooks. Average extras £60 a term.
90+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% overseas.
Headmistress: Mrs Laura A Hyde, appointed in 1995. Educated at Heriots Wood County Grammar School, Queen's College London, Battersea College of Education and Roehampton University (English and psychology). Previously Assistant Headmistress at the school and taught at the junior school and at Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Streatham. Also an ISI Inspector. Teaching staff: 24 full time, 14 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 41 pupils in Year 11; all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 8.7 subjects). A-levels: 23 in upper sixth: 4% pass in 4+ subjects, 87% in 3 and 4% in subjects. Average tariff points per pupil 324.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 24% take courses in sciences, engineering and medicine, 69% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in other subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects, 20 AS/A level (including Sanskrit). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS level (usually one contrasting), 3 at A level; general studies not taken. Vocational: Work experience programme available. Special provision: English and SEN departments (as appropriate) advise on teaching methods for specific pupils; school has SEN and EAL policies. Languages: French compulsory from age 10, Latin from 11, Sanskrit only for pupils from own junior, also Greek by selection; all offered to GCSE, AS and A level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 60+ computers for pupil use, all networked and with broadband internet access (no email); laptops can be used in several locations. Some pupils take short course GCSE.
Music: Many pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7 musical groups including flute choirs, wind ensemble, string quartet, orchestras. Some pupils in National Children's Orchestra and Rodolphus Choir. Drama and dance: Both offered. All pupils in year group productions. Recent productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Iolanthe. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 6 AS level, 4 A level. Contributor and winners of ISA national art competition and ISA London North textiles and art competition. History of art also taught at AS-level.
Sport: Lacrosse, athletics, rounders, gymnastics, netball compulsory. Optional: Tennis, volleyball, yoga, aerobics, swimming. Regular county lacrosse players; county champions U12, small schools champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional (work with local primary school children, termly lunch club for pensioners, concerts in local nursing home); delegates to National Community Service Conference and also to Model United Nations. Approximately 15 clubs, including art, astronomy, classical, cookery, dance, drama, fencing, outward bound club, The Challengers, gym, science, orchestras, choirs; Skills for Life week in Year 10.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, heads of houses and house prefects - appointed by the Headmistress and head of sixth form. Religion: Non-denominational. All pupils expected to attend church services and assemblies fundamental to spiritual ethos. Social: Joint musical productions, with brother school; ESU debating. Cultural trips to France, Greece, Italy; sports tours (such as lacrosse to US, Canada), ski trip to Europe. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals (vegetarian) formal.
Pupils failing to produce homework once would be given another opportunity to present the work; detention on a subsequent occasion. Supply, possession or use of illegal drugs, on or off the premises, may result in expulsion or removal from the school. Aim is to encourage the development of disciplined and refined behaviour conducive to the happiness and well-being of every member of the community, and for every young person to become strong in self-discipline in every aspect of her daily life.
run by Martin Bloomfield, c/o the school
Emily Watson (actress).
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