Founded in 1900, it occupies a fine 40-acre rural site on the edge of the small town of Bruton, in a beautiful part of Somerset with views of Glastonbury Tor, the Quantocks and the Mendips. Bath, Bristol and Salisbury are all within easy reach and full use is made of their cultural facilities. The buildings are pleasant and well equipped and facilities are good; both the prep school and the sixth form have their own accommodation on the campus. Pupils come from all over the British Isles and the world. The school has high expectations academically and examination results are very good. Creative and practical talents in music, art, drama and sport are encouraged and there are many opportunities to perform and compete. There is a good range of sport and games and many county representatives. The school seeks to create a community with an ethos based on mutual respect and an environment where students can develop a lively intellect and enjoy success in a wide variety of ways. Pupils are encouraged to have self-belief, to set challenging goals, display independence of thought, and enjoy learning for its own sake and to develop cultural and social skills. It is well-supported in the community and has a strong commitment to local community projects and to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 2-18; 300 pupils (195 day, 105 boarding). Junior department 2-11, 70 pupils (13 boys, 57 girls). Senior department 11-18, 230 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 2, 4, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance assessments used in senior school (for diagnostic purposes). No special skills or religious requirements.
Variable number (some 12-18 pa) of scholarships and means-tested exhibitions available at age 11, 13 and 16: scholarships (academic, art, drama, music, sport), value 5%-10% of fees; means-tested exhibitions, typically 10%-40% of fees, and may be held in addition to a scholarship. Forces families elegible for 10% fee discount (if in receipt of continuity of education allowance). Parents not expected to buy textbooks; no other compulsory extras.
Strong links with the surrounding communities and HM Forces. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Headmaster: John Burrough in post since 2005. Educated at York University (maths). Previously senior member of staff at the school, and Head of Sixth and maths teacher at Gryphon School, Sherborne. Head of Prep School: Mrs Helen Snow, in post since 2009. Previously on the staff and has had teaching and management roles at secondary and primary levels in the UK and overseas. Teaching staff: 42 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 46.
GCSE: 58 pupils in Senior Form 5 (Year 11); 93% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects (71% of pupils included English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). A-levels: 32 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 360.
85% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 40% in science and engineering, 35% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design. Others typically go on to art/drama college, few to articled professional training.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects (including 3 sciences), 22 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 50% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 10% both. Key skills largely integrated into sixth-form courses; also ESB, critical thinking, Leith's food and wine certificate, study skills. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist teaching for specific learning difficulties and EAL support programme. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg presentation and research. 200 computers for pupil use (16 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access, 15 laptops.
Music: Up to 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE and A-level drama, LAMDA exams may be taken. All pupils can be involved in school productions (several annually). Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, textiles, photography also offered. Evening activities in painting, photography, sculpture, life-drawing etc open to other schools and the local community.
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, rounders, athletics, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: dance, aerobics, badminton, judo, yoga, trampolining, riding, fitness. National representatives in equestrian, athletics, cross-country; county reps at athletics, cross-country, hockey, netball, tennis. Activities: Pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Clubs include public speaking, debating, technology and electronics, sports, cookery, art, science and eco-club.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girls, prefects and hall captains elected. Religion: Christian ethos but welcomes pupils from all faiths or none. Regular assemblies; Sunday service for boarders. Social: Joint social events with local schools. Organised trips abroad, eg ski trip, cultural visits (Spain, Germany and France), sports tours (eg Canada, Malaysia, Portugal). Senior pupils allowed to bring own bikes/cars to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do a repeat. No tobacco, drugs or alcohol allowed.
Senior Form 5 (Year 11) upwards in single study bedrooms (with basin, computer point and telephone); Senior Form 4 (Year 10) in doubles: others share (3-6 pupils). 3 boarding houses, divided by age. Qualified nursing sister in medical centre. Central dining room. Sixth formers may provide and cook their own food. Weekly and flexi-boarding available. Visits to the local town allowed.
Sunny Hill Old Girls Association (SHOGA), contact via the school.
Emily Eavis (co-organiser, Glastonbury Festival), Helen Roberts (set up eye clinic in Kenya); Viv Groskop (writer/journalist, The Guardian); Imogen Sellars (journalist/broadcaster, BBC); Catherine Davis (journalist); Louisa Gritt (commander, Royal Navy); Clarissa Farr (High Mistress, St Pauls Girls School)
|
