Founded in 1884 and owned by the United Church Schools Trust, it stands in a quiet part of Surbiton in pleasant grounds. The buildings are well designed and facilities are good. There are two junior schools, for boys and girls; these and the sixth form centre are on separate sites, close to the senior school. Recent acquisitions and conversions have provided a theatre, music block, drama studio and a library. New playing fields and all-weather courts are close to the school. It is a Church of England foundation but all faiths are welcome. A friendly school where individuals are valued and encouraged to develop their talents. Examination results are very good. It has strong music, drama and art departments and a range of games, sports and activities.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1233 day pupils (126 boys, 1107 girls). Senior department 11-18, 868 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 5, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, interview and school report as well as predicted GCSE grades. No special skills or religious requirements.
Scholarships (academic, sport, art, music) awarded at 11 and 16, plus sixth-form drama scholarship. UCST assisted places, up to 85% fees. Bursaries, based on financial need. Reduced fees for clergy children.
Head: Ann Haydon, in post from 2008. Educated at the universities of Surrey (geography), Nottingham (PGCE) and London (NPQH). Previously Deputy Head at Guildford High. Teaching staff: 100 full time, 46 part time.
GCSE: 141 in Year 11, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 94 in upper sixth. 13% passed in 4+ subjects, 84% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 400.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 22% in science and engineering, 40% in humanities, languages and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 6% in combined courses, 24% in vocational subjects eg drama, fashion management.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 subjects offered. Sixth form: Sixth formers take 4 or 5 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; critical thinking taught in Year 12 (no general studies). Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French (taught from age 4), German, Spanish and Latin all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Some 7 musical groups including orchestras, concert band, choirs, string and wind ensembles. Drama: Drama offered Years 7-9; GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in form/other productions. Art and design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, product design and photography also offered.
Sport: Hockey, netball, rounders, tennis, athletics compulsory. Optional: squash, rowing, badminton, dry skiing, gymnastics, keep fit, aerobics, weight-training, trampolining, karate, swimming, basketball, football. National and international success in rowing and skiing (individual and team). Activities: Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, World Challenge, community service optional; sixth-form community awareness option. 50 clubs, eg technology, science, drama, music, debating, Young Enterprise, theatre, sport, computer skills.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system. Peer mentoring and prefects. Head girl, deputies and committee (appointed by Head after discussion with staff and pupils), head girls and deputies for middle and upper schools. Religion: Church of England. Compulsory attendance at daily assembly, pupils often taking participatory role in leading prayers. Social: Theatre/music performance links with local boys' schools; Observer Mace Debating Competition; sixth-form theatre club; inter-form public-speaking competition. Organised visits to America, France, Italy, Barbados, Iceland; regular skiing holidays; French, Spanish and German exchanges. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service.
Pastoral care and discipline policies underpinned by caring Christian ethos. Aim is to have open and effective channels of communication between pupils, staff and parents; all parties are involved to effect a swift resolution of problems, whether minor or more serious.
D M Wrinch (mathematician); Emma Wilson (academic and writer); Mollie King (singer); Chemmy Alcott (skier).
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