Started in 1863 by the foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Mother Cornelia Connelly. Set in historic buildings, with modern facilities and accommodation, in delightful grounds and gardens. A Catholic foundation, the doctrines and practice of the church (attendance at Mass etc) are an important part of school life. A staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8. High academic standards prevail and examination results are very good. Some vocational qualifications are also offered. Creativity and imagination are encouraged; art, ceramics and music are particularly strong. A wide range of sports, games and activities are available, including riding. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is popular. There many ways in which the school and local community work together and pupils are encouraged to participate in local community schemes.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 410 girls (241 day, 169 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own scholarship/entrance exams used. For sixth form entry, school report plus 6 GCSEs at least grade C (4 at grade B, including sixth form subjects). State school entry, 25% main intake plus 20% to sixth form. Most pupils from prep schools in Kent and Sussex, such as Holmewood House, Skippers Hill, Bricklehurst Manor, Vinehall, Marlborough House, Cumnor House.
Academic scholarships 10% and 20%. Variety of gifted and talented scholarships in art, music, drama and sport worth 10%. Means tested bursaries are also available.
45% live within 30 miles; 30% live overseas.
Headmistress: Miss Antonia Beary, in post from 2008. Educated at Cambridge University (English). Previously Deputy Head at the school, Head of Sixth at New Hall, Housemistress (of first girls' house) at Ampleforth and taught at The Leys. Teaching staff: 44 full time, 29 part time.
GCSE: 80 in Year 11: 90% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects; 6% in 6-8 subjects. A-levels: 54 in upper sixth: 96% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score of 344.
Majority of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (27% after a gap or foundation year), 9% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 28% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 38% in humanities and social sciences (including 12% on language-related courses), 15% in art and design, 7% in other vocational subjects (including physiotherapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy).
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24-25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 11% took science A-levels; 39% arts/humanities; 50% both. Key skills in communication and IT taught separately. Vocational: Work experience available for individuals. City and Guilds cookery certificate and Pitmans typing and word processing. Special provision: Specialist help for dyslexia. ESOL teaching at all levels from Cambridge First Certificate to Certificate of Proficiency. Languages: French (compulsory from 11), German, Greek and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level and Institute of Linguists; all take one modern language to GCSE. Regular individual exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (in project and essay work, scientific experiments, monitoring, graphs etc). 95 computers for pupil use (open at all times), most networked and all with email and internet access; some girls have laptops. Most pupils take ECDL, some GCSE.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 15+ musical groups including 3 choirs, orchestra, woodwind ensemble, flute ensemble, string group, Baroque quartet, jazz band. Drama and dance: GCSE and A-level drama, RAD, Guildhall and ISTD exams may be taken. Dance integrated into PE/games and after school club; major dance events during the year. Majority of pupils involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE art, 20 ceramics; 8 A-level art, 7 history of art. Ceramics and design prizes in East Sussex Guild of Craftworkers.
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, rounders, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, trampolining, badminton, basketball, volley ball, aerobics, dance, fitness activities compulsory at different stages. Optional: volleyball, fencing, football, self-defence, karate, lifesaving, equestrian, badminton, ballet, table tennis, scuba diving, snooker. Sixth form only: canoeing, yoga, aqua-aerobics, football, touch rugby, squash. BHS exams may be taken. County team members in hockey, netball, tennis, volleyball, badminton at different ages; one girl in England hockey squad, one in rounders squad. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; fundraising for charity; family fast days monthly. Adventure Service Challenge Scheme for younger pupils. Some 15+ clubs, including drama, debating, chess, Young Enterprise, engineering, modern languages, video, photography, computer.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (annual music, sport, cooking and drama competitions). Prefects and head girl elected by main school and staff, approved by Head. Religion: Roman Catholic; voluntary forms of prayer encouraged, weekly liturgies, Sunday Mass. Social: Debates, socials, joint activities with other schools. Trips abroad include skiing (annual), to Italy (classics), Paris (history of art), Morocco and Israel (RE and geography); individual exchanges to France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Sixth form allowed to bring own car or bike to school with good reason. Meals mainly self-service. Vending machine (no fizzy drinks). Alcohol allowed in controlled situations (eg at meal with tutor).
School ethos cultivates trust and good relationships so few rules. Failure to produce homework on a second offence will lead to after school detention. More serious issues such as those caught with illegal substances in their metabolism on the premises could expect immediate suspension, pending full report. Drug testing on the basis of evidence (serious concern, definite signs). Fixed-term exclusion with compulsory counselling, treatment or therapy in proven cases of drug or alcohol abuse.
All upper sixth have own study bedroom, lower sixth and fifth in single or double rooms; remainder in small dormitories or ones partitioned into cubicles. Houses divided broadly by age. Resident nurse; local GP covers school. Pupils can provide and cook food to limited extent at weekends. Visits to local town allowed on Saturdays (lower sixth up); all ages to local village. Full programme of weekend activities, including subject-specific workshops, theatre visits and fun outings for day girls and boarders.
Ann Leslie (journalist)
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