Founded in 1945 by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (now Congregation of Jesus) in the tradition of its 17th century foundress Mary Ward, who said 'There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things, as we have seen by example of many saints. And I hope in God it will be seen that women in time to come will do much'. The school has a handsome site of 55 acres about a mile outside the Saxon town of Shaftesbury. It has fine buildings and excellent facilities, including a purpose-built sixth form house, IT rooms and drama studio; an astroturf pitch and music school are the most recent additions. It aims to educate girls of all Christian denominations, but primarily Roman Catholics, in an environment which develops Christian values and prepares girls for any walk of life. Religious education is part of the core curriculum and there is considerable emphasis on worship and prayer. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:10. Academic standards are good and examination results very good. Music, drama and art are strong; speech and drama exams are taken. Ballet and modern dance are well supported. There is a range of clubs and societies and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. An increasingly wide range of sports.
Pupils: Total age range 9-18; 318 girls (132 day, 186 boarding). Junior department 9-11, 50 girls. Senior department 11-18, 268 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, plus interview and testimonial; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A in sixth form subjects) plus interview with Head.
10 pa scholarships, value 10% fees (3 academic, 2 art, 2 music, 2 sport, 1 Catholic primary); additional scholarships with means-tested bursary, value 40% of fees. Some means-tested help for existing pupils who need financial assistance. Parents expected to buy a few textbooks in sixth form. Maximum extras around £200 per term.
Head: Richard James, appointed 2006. Educated at the Royal College of Music. Previously Deputy Head at the school, Director of Music and Head of House at St Mary's Ascot. Teaching staff: 39 full time, 41 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40-45.
GCSE: 48 pupils in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects (most in 9+ subjects). A-levels: 42 in upper sixth, 94% passing in 3+ subjects - with an average final point score of 329.
95+% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (some 50% after a gap year), up to 7% to Oxbridge. 25% in science, medicine and veterinary science, 65% in arts, humanities and languages, 10% in in business and economics.
GCSE and AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 20% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into courses and activities. Languages: French (compulsory from 9 to 16), German and Spanish all offered to GCSE and A-level; other languages may be offered as extras. Regular exchanges on an individual basis (France and Spain). Most pupils take Pitman text production in a foreign language. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. 100 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and filtered internet access.
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups: brass groups, recorder consort, woodwind ensemble, orchestra, percussion ensemble, 4 choirs. Sainsbury Choir of the Year competition, regional winner; Bath music festival, trophy winners; finals of Choir Girl of the Year. Choir trips to eg St Petersburg, Vienna. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Many achieve gold medal verse and prose, acting with distinction. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: Fine art and photography offered as exam subjects; ceramics, textile, 3D design, printmaking, sculpture also taught.
Sport: Netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders, badminton, fencing, aerobics, riding, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, dance offered; also outdoor pursuits, trampolining, waterpolo, synchronised swimming. Lifesaving awards may be taken. County netball champions, regular finalists at all age groups; county hockey finalists, cross-country champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 10 clubs, eg debating, wine tasting, photography, theology.
Uniform: School uniform worn; varied in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Head after consultation with staff, lower sixth and previous upper sixth. Religion: Roman Catholic. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Regular debates and joint concerts. Trips abroad typically: history of art to Paris (sixth form), Florence, Venice; choir trip to Rome. Pupils allowed to bring own bike for DoE scheme; upper sixth may bring own cars. Meals self-service but eaten formally. School tuck shop; uniform sold on the premises. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to re-do it in own time (re-do in detention on subsequent occasion). Drug or solvent abuse of any kind will result in swift, severe action.
All sixth form have own study bedroom, upper sixth in separate house; fifth form share in pairs, fourth form 2-4 pupils. Houses same as competitive, 40-45 boarders and 15-20 day girls. Sixth form can provide and cook own food to limited extent. Qualified nurse by day (and at night when required). 2 weekend exeats termly (3 in sixth form). Visits to the local town range from 3rd year (2 Saturdays per term) to sixth form (any Saturday and during week if free and with tutor's permission).
c/o Mrs Jo Sampson tel 01747 857105.
Flora McDonnell (children's author); Clare Smales (journalist).
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