Tormead

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What it's like

Founded in 1905, as a non-denominational school, it is set in an attractive site of some 4 acres, close to the centre of Guildford. The junior department has its own buildings opposite the main school. Examination results are excellent. There is much emphasis on the extra-curricular programme. Drama and music are well supported and there is a new, purpose-built performing arts centre. A wide range of sports and games is available, with many county, regional and national representatives. There is a large number of clubs and societies. Most pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and pupils regularly join in British Schools' Exploration Society expeditions.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18, 780 day girls. Junior School 4-11, 190 girls. Senior School 11-18, 590 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth form entry, interview and 9 good GCSEs (usually grade A in sixth form subjects). State school entry, 25% of senior intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

15 pa scholarships, value up to 25% of fees: academic, music and art (awarded at 11 and 16). Also means-tested bursaries awarded at age 11 and 16.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Christina Foord, in post from 2010. Previously Deputy Head of St Catherine’s Bramley. Head of Junior School: Miss Karen Tuckwell, in post from 2006. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 24 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 46.

Exam results

GCSE: 89 pupils in Year 11; all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects (including English, maths, a science and a modern language; not all pupils take a humanity). A-levels: 64 in upper sixth: 99% passed in 4+ subjects.

Pupils' destinations

Almost all sixth form leavers go on to a degree or art foundation course (10% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in science, maths and engineering, 64% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 21% in vocational subjects (including medicine).

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; AS-level critical thinking an additional option. 38% take science A-levels; 38% arts/humanities; 24% both. Key skills not examined but integrated where possible into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available: also Clait exams. Special provision: Some for pupils with dyslexia. Languages: French, German, Latin, Greek and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also Chinese GCSE. French studied from Year 7, Spanish and German from Year 8, Latin in Years 7-9. All take a modern foreign language to GCSE (14% take more than 1). Regular language trips (France, Germany, Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. All Year 10 take Clait diploma; lower sixth can take Clait Plus. 240 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with internet access; plus departmental stand-alones. School intranet, electronic bulletin board, computerised library catalogues.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10+ musical groups, including orchestras, jazz band, chamber ensembles, choirs. Several pupils play with Surrey Youth Orchestra; quarter of Guildford Cathedral girls' choir are pupils. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions, majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 9 A-level. Graphics, ceramics and textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Gym, netball, hockey, swimming, basketball, volleyball, badminton, athletics, football, tennis, rounders, aerobic fitness, dance as part of the curriculum. Year 11 and sixth form only: aerobics, golf, conditioning, yoga, rugby, badminton, trampolining, hockey, netball and rock climbing. Nationally successful gym and sports acro and biathlon teams, U9 – U19; always in hockey and netball county finals. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Girls selected for BSES summer expeditions, destinations worldwide. Up to 30 clubs including Christian Union, speakers society, computers, drama, chess, debating, various sports.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, heads of houses and games captain - all apply for the job and are selected on the basis of their application, staff recommendation and support from their peers. School Committee. Religion: Christian inter-denominational; some other faiths but all girls attend school assembly. Social: Debates, lectures, theatrical and musical productions with other local schools. Regular European trips. Meals self-service.

Discipline

The discipline policy rests on a code of conduct, devised with the help of staff, parents, pupils and governors. Girls infringing the code may expect extra work, to be put on report, a detention or a fine, as appropriate. Serious or persistent offences will result in suspension, possible permanent exclusion for further similar offences. A girl who brings a banned substance onto school premises should expect to be permanently excluded.

Association of former pupils

Mrs Nicki Mead, c/o school office

Former pupils

Terry Stiastny (BBC Correspondent), Sandi Toksvig (comedian), Claudia Parsons (first woman to circumnavigate the world by car).