Founded in the City in 1894 as an integral part of its senior school. It is has a very central location, in the heart of the Barbican. It shares many of the facilities of the senior school, including an indoor swimming pool, all weather pitch, netball and tennis courts, gym and theatre. It is an academically selective school, which achieves high standards (eg nearly half of Year 6 pupils took part in the national finals of the Primary Maths Challenge). An unusually wide range of languages is taught and pupils have some say in the subjects they can take. Options include an impressive choice of academic Challenges, including art history and law. It aims to be a sparky, lively and stimulating environment for junior school children who enjoy being in the heart of London and want to capitalise on all its opportunities. Almost all girls go on to City of London Girls' senior school.
Pupils: Age range 7–11, 104 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 7. Entrance is academically selective; entrance by a series of age-standardised tests (a stress-free occasion). 1 class (of up to 24) throughout the school, often split into 2 teaching groups. No special skills or religious requirements.
No scholarships or bursaries.
15+% of parents are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry/commerce. Over 60% live within 30 miles; under 10% live overseas.
Head: Miss Jane Rogers, in post since 2010. Educated at Chelmsford County High School for Girls, University College London (geography) and Institute of Education. Previously Senior Teacher at The Lyceum School, science lecturer and PGCE course leader at Institute of Education, Deputy Head at Thornhill Primary School, Islington, and Advisory Science Teacher for the ILEA. Teaching staff: 10 full-time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 35.
Pupils take entrance exams to all London day schools and Common Entrance at age 11. Key Stage 2 discontinued in 2009 but 98% of pupils achieved level 5 standard. 15% gain entrance scholarships to their secondary schools.
90% of pupils go on to City of London Girls' senior school; entrance by North London Consortium entrance exam.
All National Curriculum subjects taught. Academic options programme allows girls to choose their own area of study for 2 periods per week. Specialist subject teachers introduced at age 7; core subjects usually taught with 2 fully-qualified teachers in each class. PSHE, citizenship etc taught as a separate subject and integrated into all programmes of study. Special provision: On-site SEN co-ordinator helps assess pupils' needs, makes recommendations and gives individual lessons as necessary (no additional charge). Languages: Spanish taught from age 7, French from 8, German and Latin from 9, Mandarin/Chinese from age 10. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 2 fully-equipped computer suites for ICT lessons; 30 desktops, 30 laptops for use in other curriculum areas.
Nearly all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 6 musical groups. All pupils involved in school drama productions. Specialist art facilities. Music, drama and art all offered as extra-curricular activities. School produces opera, a Christmas show, poetry performance and recitations, and concerts (where girls can play solos); recently published We Are Writers, a book of pupils' poetry.
Compulsory sports: swimming, gym, netball, rounders, tennis, athletics, dance. Optional: football, kwik cricket. Pupils can take BAGA awards. On-site indoor swimming pool, tennis and netball courts, all weather pitch, gym and sports hall. Teams in netball, swimming, rounders and gymnastics which play matches against other London schools and enter competitions (eg London schools floor and vault competition, Novice Gym competition, primary schools gala, mini youth games, London Schools Netball tournament). Activities: Variety of activities to help the community (within and outside school). Some 30 clubs and activities, eg cricket, choir, fencing, archaeology; plus academic Challenges eg history of art, puppet-making, ornithology, practical science, metacognition, law, mediaeval castles, Australia. Precise extra-curricular activities reflect views expressed in school council meetings.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. Form captains, lunchroom monitors, library monitors, tidiness champions - all through peer election. Religion: Non-denominational; attendance at religious worship not compulsory. Social: Year 5 dance in the Lord Mayor's Show every year with a local state school; Year 6 share various activities with City of London (Boys). Trips abroad include annual trip to France (Years 5 and 6). Pupils allowed to bring own bike/scooter to school. Meals formal and compulsory; pupils may bring in a snack for break time. Pupils travel to school by car, public transport or by school bus. Some supervision available before and after school (8.15am to 6pm).
Any pupil failing to produce homework on time would receive no punishment but be asked to produce it for the following day; if a pupil was caught stealing there would be a lengthy discussion with the Head, followed by a meeting with the parents, the return of the stolen item and a written apology. Discipline is always carried out through discussion and reasoning, with the objective of ensuring the child does not repeat their misdemeanour.
Run by Jill Dixon, Executive Chairman, c/o the school.
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