Founded in 1875, the school is located in an urban residential area, close to the city centre. It has well-equipped buildings and excellent facilities set in 17 acres of pleasant grounds, playing fields and woodland. The senior school shares the site with the prep school, which is co-educational. It is committed to the education and development of girls, who are encouraged to excel in male-dominated subjects (such as maths, engineering and sciences) and to aspire, succeed and lead in school, at university, and on into the world of work. Pupils are keen and well motivated. Numbers are kept small enough for every teacher to know every pupil. It has a strong reputation; examination results are very good. The arts are especially strong and sports are played to a very high standard. A good range of activities include successful public speaking, debating, world challenge and dance (the school hosts workshops by Northern Ballet). It enjoys vigorous support from the local community as well as from its alumni.
Pupils: Total age range 2-18; 500 day pupils (32 boys, 468 girls). Prep department (Lady Royd Preparatory School), 2-11, 115 pupils (32 boys, 83 girls). Senior department 11-18, 385 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 2-10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 20% of senior intake from state schools (plus 5% to sixth form).
Bursaries available according to need. One free place offered at 11 and another at 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; charges for individual instrumental lessons, speech and drama etc.
Headmistress: Mrs Kathryn M Matthews, in post from 2009. Educated at Manchester High and at Leeds University (maths) and Leeds Trinity (PGCE and MA). Previously Deputy Head at Gateways School. Also ISI team inspector. Teaching staff: 66 full time, 31 part time. Annual turnover 5-10%. Average age 35-40.
GCSE: On average 100 pupils in upper fifth, 98% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 80 in upper sixth, 20% passing in 4+ subjects, 78% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 425.
94% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 12% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 26% in science and engineering, 62% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects; 25+ AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (range 3-5), 3 or 4 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies (A-level optional). Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular visits to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg physics and geography spreadsheets, classics vocabulary exercises, art use drawing packages (to develop techniques and styles). Computers available for pupil use 7 hours a day, most networked, including a school intranet.
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including choir, orchestra, flute ensemble, jazz band, percussion group & steel pans, plus ad hoc chamber groups etc. Drama: Drama offered at AS and A-level; ABRSM speech and drama exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and some in other productions. Pupils participate in public speaking and debating competitions. Art and design: On average, 15-26 take GCSE, 1-2 AS-level, 5-10 A-level. Design, technology and engineering also offered.
Sport: Dance, gymnastics, swimming, hockey, netball, badminton, squash, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, tennis, rounders, athletics, HRF compulsory. Optional: aerobics, martial arts, sailing. Sixth form only: dry skiing, canoeing, yoga. A-level PE, BAGA exams, community sports leaderships and various coaching awards may be taken. National, regional and county representatives in hockey and athletics; also county squash and netball players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for 2 years at age 16. BBC Children in Need appeal and outward bound-style activities. Up to 10 clubs, eg modern languages, Rock Solid, debating; competitions eg Young Engineers, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, president of school, elected by school and staff. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school. Collective worship for whole school twice a week (once for sixth form); plus year-group assemblies focusing on aspects of PSHE and preparation for opportunities and experiences of life as young people. Social: Occasional careers conventions, debating society joint with other schools. Organised trips include visits to outdoor pursuit centres; visits to France, Germany and Spain. Sixth form only allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service.
Code of practice with rewards and sanctions. Girls are treated as individuals and high standards of behaviour attained (as outlined in school policies).
Old Girls Union managed by the OGU Adminstrator (email lpearson@bggs.com or tel 01274 545395)
Juliet R V Barker (historian); Linda Barker (TV interior designer); Linda Campbell (Chair of PAI); Barbara Castle (Labour politician); Katy Deacon (2007, Young Woman Engineer of the Year); Patricia Eve (Owner, Seafarer Books); Jodie Greenwood (editor, Penguin Books); Patricia Hall (aka Maureen O'Connor, writer); Isobel Hilton (journalist); Professor Sally Kift (lawyer, Supreme Court of Queensland); Melanie Kilburn and Lizzie Mickery (actresses); Rachel Midgely (consultant oncologist, Oxford); Claire O'Connor (MD, Song & Dance Academy); Anita Rani (television presenter); Pippa Wells (CERN staff physicist).
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