Founded in 1887 by the the Girls' Day School Trust, it occupies a leafy 6-acre site well served by public transport, allowing pupils to attend from a wide catchment area. The main building is a handsome Victorian house to which has been added modern purpose-built premises which provide excellent facilities, most recently a fine new ICT suite. The declared aim is to provide opportunities to develop the potential of every individual. Academic standards are good, as are examination results. There is a diversity of music-making and opportunities for those of any level of expertise; pupils perform in school, nationally and internationally. Drama is popular and there is a variety of productions. Excellent on-site facilities provide for a wide range of sports and games (supplemented by access to the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace) and there have been many representatives at county and national level in hockey, netball, tennis, diving, gymnastics and fencing. A variety of extra-curricular activities is available. A responsibility to the wider community is encouraged through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and charity work.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18, 680 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 480 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam (including for sixth form) plus interview. Good standard of English and mathematics required (minimum, level 4 at key stage 2), with an enthusiasm for learning; no religious requirements. 50% of senior intake from own junior department (enquiries to the Head, Sydenham High Junior School, 15 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL, tel 020 8778 9558, email info@syd.gdst.net).
Scholarships awarded at age 11: academic plus one each for music, drama, art and sports. Also sixth-form travel scholarships. Means-tested bursaries for talented pupils who would not otherwise be able to attend the school. Parents not expected to buy textbooks or pay exam entry fees etc.
Head Teacher: Mrs Kathryn Pullen, in post from 2002. Educated at Warwick University (English and American literature) and Institute of Education (MA curriculum studies). Previously Deputy Head at the school, Head of English and Drama at Glenthorne High School, Head of English at St Saviour's and St Olave's.
GCSE: 72 in Year 11, 99% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 33 in Year 13, passing an average of 3 subjects.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (16% after a gap year). Few occasionally go on to vocational courses, to art or music colleges.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 exam subjects offered. Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also language conversation classes for all sixth form. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. All pupils take GCSE (full or short course). Many computers for pupil use (all day in lessons, 3 hours own use), all networked and with email and internet access; separate suites for sixth form and for Years 10-11.
Music: Most pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestra, chamber group, jazz band, flute group, wind band, wind ensemble, string ensemble, choirs. Prizes in Beckenham Festival; girls sing in Ernest Read Choir, Bach Choir; students have won place at Royal College of Music. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies, ESB, LAMDA exams may be taken. Pupils are involved in a range of school productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 15 AS-level and 8 A-level; design, technology, pottery, textiles, photography also offered. Art college applications always successful.
Sport: Gym, netball, hockey, dance, swimming, athletics, rounders, tennis, volleyball, netball compulsory at different ages. Optional: fencing, trampolining, squash, racket-ball, aerobics, badminton, self-defence, basketball. GCSE, BAGA exams may be taken. Pupils in national gymnastics squad, county tennis and district hockey teams; regional diving champion; teams successful in London Schools trampolining and national fencing championships. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional: stress on charity activities, both in school and participation in national events. Up to 20 clubs, eg gourmet cookery, Japanese, computer, Christian Discovery, textiles, debating, Amnesty group.
Uniform: School uniform worn; relaxed dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head girl, elected by staff and peers. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational assembly compulsory. Social: Organised ski trips, water sports holidays, French exchanges; cultural visits to eg Seville, Athens, Pompeii/Naples; biology/geography field trips and music tours. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework once would discuss the problem with the teachers; consistent failure to produce work would incur a detention and report home. Those caught with drugs on the premises could expect temporary exclusion then permanent exclusion.
Kathleen Halpin (feminist); Margaret Lockwood (actress); Winifred Gérin (biographer); Professor Elizabeth Anscombe (philosopher).
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