Founded in 1928, it is centred on Westonbirt House, a magnificent Renaissance-style mansion in 210 acres of fine gardens and parkland. Over the years it has been adapted and new buildings added, most recently an indoor swimming pool, a sports centre (with sports hall and fitness centre) and new sixth-form block. Facilities and accommodation are very good. It is predominantly a boarding school, though day girls are well integrated to the school (and may stay one night a week, free of charge). The ethos is to promote a good all-round education for girls of all abilities, developing individual talents, whatever they may be, in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Religious services (held in the school chapel) are Anglican and compulsory. Academic standards are creditable, examination results very good for a mixed ability intake and the value added measure is excellent. It is strong in music, art and drama. There is a range of games, sports and activities, a promising record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and a thriving Young Enterprise Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 247 girls (84 day, 163 boarding). Entrance: Main entry age 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance papers used. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects) or entrance paper in 2 subjects. Aptitude at music, drama, art and sport helps; school is Church of England and all are required to attend services. 25% main intakes from state schools (plus 4% to sixth form). Pupils come from a wide variety of prep and primary schools within the area, from London and further afield (including overseas).
Variable number of scholarships, value 10%-25% fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, music, art and drama (awarded at 11, 12, 13 and 16); also some bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extras include music and sports coaching, excursions, public exam fees etc.
Head: Mrs Mary Henderson, in post from 1999. Educated at Berkhamsted School for Girls and universities of St Andrews and Durham (modern languages and PGCE). Previously Head of Modern Languages at the school, Sixth Form Housemistress at Cheltenham Ladies' College and taught modern languages at Warminster. Teaching staff: 39 full time, 15 part time (plus peripatetic music and PE staff). Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 37 pupils in Year 11, gaining at least grade C in an average of 8.6 subjects. A-levels: 25 in upper sixth, on average passing in 3.5 subjects with a final points score of 350.
88% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year). 43% take courses in science and technology, 52% in arts and humanities, 5% in other vocational subjects eg education, nursing, physiotherapy. Others typically go on to art foundation courses or to business college.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 AS/A-level subjects (including theatre studies, business studies, psychology, PE). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 33% take science A-levels; 33% arts/humanities; 33% both. Key skills compulsory; integrated into sixth-form course and activities. Vocational: Work experience compulsory in Year 11. Leith's food and wine basic certificate course, lifeskills courses; Young Enterprise; World Challenge. Special provision: ELT and learning support departments; individual coaching paid for separately. Gifted and talented scheme for most able. Languages: French (compulsory to GCSE), Spanish (option from Year 10) and Latin; all offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular foreign visits. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject; pupils use ICT in eg coursework. Most take ECDL. 180 networked PCs for pupil use all day, all with email and access to the internet (when required). Many pupils have own laptops.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn at least one musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 9 musical groups including 4 choirs and an orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered in curriculum and most pupils also take private speech and drama lessons; GCSE and A-level drama, ESB, LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: Art, design, textiles, design techology and history of art offered.
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, tennis, rounders, athletics, swimming compulsory. Optional: hockey, golf, badminton, basketball, aerobics, cricket, trampolining, squash, yoga. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Many clubs and leisure activities eg Scottish country dancing, film, theatre, Guides. Lively evening programme eg Abba night, murder mystery. Most sixth formers take Leith's certificate in food and wine.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. All sixth form have positions of responsibility. Head girl, deputy head girl, heads of house and head of games - formal applications for posts, then interviewed and appointed by the Head after consultation with staff and girls. Religion: Church of England. Compulsory daily prayers and Sunday service. Social: Discos, socials and dinner parties with other independent schools. Trips abroad include art, classics, English, geography, history and modern languages to France, Iceland, Italy, Spain and Belgium; lacrosse to America, netball to Spain, scuba diving to Egypt. Meals formal, except supper; all cooked in house by resident chefs. School shops (tuck, books and uniform). No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention; those caught drinking alcohol or smoking on the premises could expect suspension for the first offence and expulsion for the second.
Sixth formers have own study bedrooms. Houses of approximately 50, same as competitive houses. Team of resident qualified nurses; visiting doctor. Central dining room; separate sixth-form and Year 7 dining rooms. 2 exeats (2 nights) and half term each term.
c/o Mrs Charlotte Rogers-Jones, Development Director, c/o the school.
Ruth Watson (food writer and broadcaster).
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