Opened in 1887 as Brixton Hill High School by the Girls' Day School Trust and, in 1938 it amalgamated with Clapham High School. It is one of the longest established girls' schools in South London. In 1994, the senior school moved to a new site adjacent to Tooting Bec Common, where there has been a major building programme; facilities include sixth-form building, music IT suite and recital hall and all-weather and grass pitches. The junior department remains on the Streatham site in Wavertree Road. Both departments now have first-class accommodation and resources. A well-balanced, general education is provided and examination results are very good. Pastoral care is strong and the school welcomes girls from a wide range of backgrounds. There is a substantial commitment to music, drama and art. A range of sports and games is offered and there are a number of extra-curricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 600 day pupils. Junior department 3-11, 200 pupils (mostly girls). Senior department 11-18, 400 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A in sixth-form subjects). Musical, sporting and/or dramatic skill looked for; no religious requirements. Many senior pupils from own junior department.
Approx 15 pa academic scholarships, value 10%-50% fees, awarded on entry at 11 and 16; also for music, art, drama and sports. 15+ bursaries, mainly at 11 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmistress: Mrs Sue Mitchell, appointed 2002. Educated at universities of Oxford (English) and Leeds (PGCE). Previously Deputy Head at Bromley High School. Teaching staff: 59 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 34.
GCSE: 70 in Year 11: 97% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 38 in upper sixth: 13% passed in 4+ subjects; 87% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 328.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (44% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 78% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 2% in other areas.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Key skills integrated into curriculum. Languages: Latin, French, German, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges, conversation lessons and visits abroad. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and used across the curriculum eg equation building, data logging, photo manipulation, vocal training (languages). All sixth formers have laptops.
Music: 75% of pupils learn music in some form; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, chamber groups, choirs, vocal ensembles. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama and dance, A-level drama may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25% take GCSE, 10% A-level.
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, athletics, cricket, badminton, football, dance, gymnastics. Optional: skating, fencing, yoga, street dance, orienteering, trampolining. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Up to 60 clubs, eg classics, debating, photography, gym, dance, drama, public-speaking, science, astronomy, languages, handicraft, meditation, pottery, Christian Union, Islamic Society.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth-form. House/prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and prefects - elected by staff and senior girls. Religion: Non-denominational; worship encouraged. Social: Frequent visits to Europe (eg France, Austria, Italy, Greece); some further afield. Regular trips to theatres, museums and galleries. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.
Good behaviour fostered through rewards and sanctions policy, with distinctions and house points for good behaviour. Pupils failing to produce homework on time might expect detention after school; if any girl were to be caught in possession of drugs, she would expect exclusion.
June Whitfield, Carol Royle, Hannah Waddingham (actresses); Angela Carter (novelist); Eva Myers (mathematician); Cordelia Kretzmar (TV news reporter); Nazanine Moshiri (Sky News).
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