Founded in 1928. The main house, dating from 1799, is still the main reception. It is situated amid beautiful, rural surroundings, 22 miles from London, in 48 acres of grounds amongst the Surrey hills. The school has been greatly extended to provide modern facilities, including all-weather pitches, indoor swimming pool, 750-seat theatre with recording studio and music technology suites and drama workshops. A new prep school has recently been built on the same site. A Roman Catholic foundation, it welcomes other denominations. Classes are small and a broad curriculum provides an all-round education. Examination results are good. Each girl is encouraged to explore her own capabilities, supported by staff but also in her own way, and to discover her own individual talents. Pupils are involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities including music, drama, arts, textiles, debating, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Young Enterprise, first aid for babysitters and African drumming.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 395 girls (302 day, 93 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A grade in sixth-form subjects). 30% of intake from own prep school, others from a range of local prep and state junior schools.
Scholarships, up to 50% of tuition fees: academic, art and music scholarships awarded at 11, 12, 13 and 16; also sixth-form drama and sports awards; 3 pa assisted places. Some bursaries for existing pupils, in case of sudden financial need. Approx 15% of pupils helped in some way.
Headmistress: Mrs Lesley Falconer, in post from 2006. Educated at Loretto College, St Albans and at London University and Queen Mary's (microbiology). Previously Headmistress of More House School, Director of Studies at both The Hellenic College and Landsdowne Independent Sixth Form College and biology teacher at Luton Sixth Form College. Also ISI inspector; South Central representative on GSA Boarding Committee. Teaching staff: 42 full time, 14 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 38.
GCSE: 52 in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 33 in upper sixth, 32% passing in 4+ subjects, 68% in 3 subjects with an average final point score of 386.
100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 30% take courses in science, engineering and medicine, 39% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 21% other vocational subjects eg business administration, physiotherapy.
GCSE, AS and A-levels: 23 GCSE, 25 A-level subjects offered. Vocational: Work experience offered. Special provision: Learning support and EFL lessons by specialist teachers; small groups or individual teaching. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level (French compulsory from age 11; Spanish or German from 12; Latin for a year and a taster term of Japanese at 11). Most take GCSE in more than 1 language. Annual visits to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject. 100 computers for pupil use (12+ hours a day; some for 24 hours), all on wireless network and with email and internet access.
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choirs, many ensembles. Drama: Drama and theatre arts offered at GCSE and A-level and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions; annual productions by Year 7, lower school (Years 7-9) and full school. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Textiles also available. Girls regularly given unconditional offers from top art colleges.
Sport: Hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, rounders, basketball, volleyball, athletics, cross-country, badminton, riding, football, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining, swimming. Optional: touch rugby. PE A-level may be taken. International athletes, skiers and rugby players; county and regional hockey and netball representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Voluntary service includes visits to the elderly, working with the blind and disabled. Over 60 extra-curricular activities and clubs including computer, chess, driving lessons, riding, debating, public-speaking, Japanese for fun, tag rugby, football, problem-solving, Young Enterprise, photography, first aid for babysitters, African drumming.
Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth-form uniform for special occasions. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl and deputy, head of house and house prefects elected by school, ratified by Headmistress and staff. School Council. Religion: Roman Catholic. All girls attend assemblies and chapel. Social: Debates, theatre trips, modern languages and social events, sixth-form societies and challenge of management course with local boys' independent schools. Organised trips abroad for eg sport, art, Spanish; annual choir and art trips (eg Venice, Barcelona, Florence); World Challenge expedition (eg Thailand, Cambodia, Peru). Meals self-service and cooked on site. School bank and shop.
Clearly defined school rules and sanctions.
Fifth and sixth forms have own study bedrooms; others share, usually with 1-3 others. Houses divided by age group. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. Pupils may provide and cook own food on special occasions (kitchen facilities from year 9). Half-term 7-10 days; no fixed exeats. Weekly and occasional boarding offered; also extended day for day girls.
St Teresa's Old Girls' Association (STOGA), c/o the school.
Lynne Reid-Banks (author); Faye Maschler (restaurateur and food critic); Jennifer Michelmore (actress).
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