Founded in 1836 to educate 'young ladies of quality' in French, history, music, art and embroidery. By 1900 it had grown and had a considerable reputation. The school includes a junior department and a kindergarten and is now fully co-educational, a process started in 1994. It occupies a pleasant, semi-rural site. Ayr itself is a very attractive town, with two theatres and several museums, close to the sea. The school is strong in music and drama and there is a vigorous sporting tradition with a large number of representatives at national and district level. There are good sporting facilities on site, as well as a new playing fields complex at Doonside. There is a strong careers department and a work experience scheme for 16-year-olds. A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available. It also enjoys an impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 582 day pupils (272 boys, 310 girls). Senior department 12-18, 291 pupils (141 boys, 150 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 10, 11 and 16. Approx 25% are children of former pupils. Own entrance exam. Ability in English, maths, music and sport looked for; no religious requirements. 80% of senior intake from own junior school, Drumley.
A number of means tested bursaries available (to cover up to 100% fees plus extras) in secondary department.
Headmaster: R M Parlour, in post from 2006. Educated at Universities of Wales, Oxford and the Open University. Previously Deputy Head at Dundee High. Teaching staff: 53 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 45.
S-grades: On average 50 in S-grade year; 84% pass in 8+ subjects; 16% in 5-7 subjects. Highers/Advanced highers: 42 in S5 and S6.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, some after a gap year. 9% take courses in medicine, dentistry etc, 28% in science and engineering, 23% in humanities and social sciences, 11% in law, 28% in management and accountancy.
S-grades, Highers, Advanced highers. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: can be made for dyslexia and EFL. Languages: French and German offered at S-grade, Higher and Advanced higher. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 140 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with internet and email access.
Music: 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 9 choirs (including 70-voice mixed senior choir, select Madrigal group), orchestras (junior and senior), jazz band, string quartet and many ensembles. Annual shows in infant and junior schools and senior musical. Many pupils in National Youth Choirs and Orchestras. Drama and dance: Both offered. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and Design: On average, 16 take S-grade, 10 Higher, 4 Advanced higher. All expressive and design areas offered including still life, portraiture, landscape and graphics, product, jewellery, fashion/textiles, architecture. Also crafts eg pottery and photography/computer-aided graphic design. Successful entry to local and national competitions eg Young NADFAS and Royal Scottish Academy competitions. Annual exhibition with over 800 works.
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, rugby, cricket, athletics compulsory. Football, gymnastics, golf, weight training, badminton, aerobics optional. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Over 30 clubs, including art, drama, sport, music, chess, debating, Young Enterprise and Young Achievers.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school - appointed by Head with staff advice. School Council. Religion: Christian. Daily assembly. Social: Debates, ESU, dances, sport, music and drama festivals. Annual French and German school exchange; trips to France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, India; skiing trip; rugby and hockey tours. Pupils may bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.
School aims to praise and reward for good and sensible behaviour as well as admonish for breaches of school rules (which are kept to a minimum). Any suggestion of involvement with drugs at school and there would be no hesitation in bringing in the police. School discipline and rules recently reviewed and updated.
is run by Mrs Fiona Paton, c/o the school.
Dr Elizabeth Hewat (theologian and historian); Elizabeth Kyle (author); Kirsty Wark (presenter, BBC TV); Kirsty Hume (model); Nicola Benedetti (musician).
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