Founded in 1904, it belongs to the Christian Foundation originally provided by Dean Colet in 1509, like its counterpart for boys. Its handsome Edwardian buildings lie in a pleasant part of Hammersmith and are outstandingly well equipped with, among other things, excellent libraries, ICT provision and a fine theatre; the school is continually modernising. There is a sports hall and swimming pool; sports pitches and athletics track are nearby. A non-denominational school and children of other faiths are welcomed. There is a large and extremely well-qualified staff. Academically it is formidably high-powered, equally strong in arts and sciences. The curriculum is designed to introduce girls to a breadth and depth of academic study and a high value is placed on participation in extra-curricular activities which stretch them beyond the classroom. Paulinas are encouraged to be intellectually curious, independent-minded and caring in their relations with others. Examination results are consistently excellent; an exceptionally high proportion of leavers goes on to Oxbridge each year. Since the appointment of the school's first director of music, Gustav Holst, music has been an important activity. There is a specially-built music wing with a concert hall; the Great Hall has an organ. There are many musical groups and a high proportion of girls learn one or more instruments. A great deal of drama is done each year, including workshop productions, and the standards are high. Standards are equally high in a wide variety of sports and games and physical education. There are demonstrations of self-defence; numerous extra-curricular activities, clubs and societies.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 715 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used.
Variable number of scholarships (honorary) and bursaries (means-tested up to 100% of fees): academic and music at various ages, art scholarships and Ogden science award at 16.
High Mistress: Ms Clarissa Farr, in post from 2006. Educated at Bruton School for Girls and Exeter University (English). Previously Principal of Queenswood and Senior Mistress at Leicester Grammar School. Also former BSA Chairman and GSA President. Teaching staff: 62 full time, 11 part time plus 40 music staff (full and part time).
GCSE: 93 in Year 11, gaining grade C or above in an average of 9.2 subjects. A-levels: 100 in Year 13, gaining an average final point score of 446.
All sixth-form leavers typically go on to a degree course (43% after a gap year), 49% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 58% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in arts and music, 3% in vocational subjects eg management.
GCSE, AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including 4 orchestras, 4 choirs, jazz group, many ensembles. Pupils regularly offered places at conservatoires and choral or instrumental scholarships at Oxbridge. Many pupils in National Youth Orchestra; school regular finalist in National Schools' Chamber Music Competition. Drama: Drama part of curriculum for first two years, later an option. All pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 50+% of pupils take school-directed course with GCSEs. Design, photography, printmaking, critical and historical studies also offered. Typically 2 students a year go on to art college.
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, gym, dance, swimming, athletics, volleyball, keep fit etc compulsory to 14. Optional: fencing, badminton, squash, karate, yoga, football, kickboxing, rowing. RLSS exams may be taken. National and regional junior lacrosse representatives; London Schools athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 100 clubs, eg literary, philosophy, photography, classics, politics, economics, drama, modern languages, history, geography.
Uniform: No school uniform. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. School Council. Religion: Non-denominatinal foundation (with own chaplain); all faiths welcomed. Assemblies and religious studies lessons are inclusive and seek to involve school community as a whole. Social: Joint activities with St Paul's (brother school): concerts and plays, literary, economics, and political discussion groups, modern languages group. Trips abroad include history of art, music, skiing and cultural trips to France, Spain, Italy, Russia and USA; regular exchanges with schools in Beijing, Bonn, Barcelona, Dresden, Marseilles, Prague, St Petersburg, Sydney, Washington, New Hampshire and New York. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals cafeteria style. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to complete the work within the day or by the next.
contacted via Charlotte.buswell@spgs.org
Brigid Brophy (writer); Harriet Harman MP; Professor Catherine Peckham (paediatric epidemiologist); Professor Dame Jessica Rawson (Chinese art/archeology); Natasha Richardson and Rachel Weisz (actresses); Onora O'Neill (president of the British Academy); Dame Margaret Turner Warwick (first female president of the Royal College of Physicians); Professor Ruth Itzhaki (molecular neurobiologist); Helen Alexander (chief executive of The Economist Group).
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