Founded in 1902 and a member of the Woodard Corporation. It is housed in a combination of elegant period buildings along Magdalen Road, near the centre of the city. Facilities include a modern performing arts centre, refurbished science labs and numerous gardens and play areas. Examination results are good. Its culture is inspired by the pastoral care of a Christian community. It aims to foster a sense of fun, intellectual curiosity, creativity and a love of learning. It has active drama and music departments (the Chapel Choir is particularly successful). There is exceptionally good take up of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the opportunity to join the Combined Cadet Force.
Pupils: Total age range 2-18, 280 day pupils (10 boys, 270 girls). Senior department 11-18, approx. 240 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used, plus reports; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% of intakes at 11 and 16.
Academic and music awards, value 10%- 50% of fees, awarded at 11 and 16 and renewable annually; also drama and art scholarships in sixth form. Parents not expected to buy textbooks. Average £200 extras, including school meals.
Headmistress: Mrs Sheila Cooper, in post from 2008.
GCSE:46 pupils in upper fifth, 100% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 33 in upper sixth, passing an average of 2.9 subjects.
80% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (8% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 12% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 12% in science and engineering, 34% in humanities and social sciences, 18% art and design, 13% in music, drama and television, 11% in other vocational subjects eg sports coaching, physiotherapy, pharmacy. Others go on to eg foundation art courses, apprenticeships in electronics or direct into careers.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 examination subjects offered. (including classical civilisation). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS, 3 at A-level. General studies taught but not examined. Key skills integrated into sixth form curriculum. Vocational: Work experience available. CCF leads to BTEC First Diploma in Public Service Awards. Special provision: Some special provision eg study skills support, additional English lessons, special exam arrangements; pupils with SLD use laptops in class. Languages: French compulsory from age 7 to 16, German or Spanish from 11-14; all offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also Latin. Regular visits and exchanges. 3-year Comenius project on Changes with a European perspective, involving a number of staff and pupils and partner schools in Belgium, Denmark, Poland and Bedford. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. High ICT level achieved by 14, to enhance GCSE work. All take Clait level 1 in Year 8, many take level 2 in Year 9. Network of 50 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all with e-mail and internet access.
Music: 75+% pupils take instrumental lessons; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 18 musical groups, including 4 orchestras, 5 choirs, barbershop, swing band, jazz band and various wind groups. Chapel Choir has achieved success nationally in Choir of the Year competition (in top 6 youth choirs, singing at the Millenium Centre, Cardiff), National Festival of Music for Youth and in School Choir Festival (in final 3 senior choirs). Drama and dance: Both offered; GCSE, AS and A-level drama offered, and LAMDA qualifications. Majority involved in school productions, all in house and other productions. School productions involving music and drama departments, eg The Boyfriend, Guys and Dolls. Drama department invited by the National Theatre to perform new works at Drum Theatre, Plymouth, in 2004 and 2005. Art and design: On average, 12 take GCSE, 9 AS/A-level. Design, textiles, photography also offered.
Sport: Netball, hockey, athletics, rounders, tennis, dance, gym, swimming compulsory. Basketball, volleyball, football, aerobics, badminton optional. Sixth form only, rowing, kick boxing. AS and A-level sports studies may be taken. Regional representative at rowing (and GB selection); county javelin; regional athletics team. Also junior GB show jumpers. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (20-30 golds a year). CCF and community service both optional; pupils gain BTEC first diploma in public services award. 30+ clubs, including various musical, body combat, sugarcraft, flamenco, Latin, confirmation, ICT, Young Enterprise, Rotary Club Youth Speaks.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of houses, generally by election. School Council. Religion: Anglican. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Some events with other local schools eg maths masterclasses, Youth Speaks, Exeter young musician of the year. Comenius project with 4 other European schools; exchanges with schools in France, Germany and Spain; ski trip to Switzerland; DofE gold trip to India, art and history trip to New York. Pupils allowed to bring own bike, car etc to school. Meals self-service.
Aims to be firm and appropriate to the individual. Drug-related offences may result in suspension.
run by the Deputy Headmistress
Mary Nightingale (TV presenter); Rachel Vine (radio presenter); Hedli Niklaus (actor); Debra Veal (international sportswoman).
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