Founded in 1906, it moved to its present 14 acre site on the outskirts of the town in 1930. The nursery and junior schools are housed in new, purpose built accommodation in a self-contained area of the grounds. It is a non-denominational school. There are good modern facilities including a sixth form centre, science and technology block, a learning resources centre, music school, art suite and a drama/sports pavilion. There are interactive whiteboards in all classrooms. A broad curriculum is provided and examination results are very good. Music, drama, art and textiles are strong, as are games, with regular county representatives in a number of sports. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is popular. Great importance is attached to pastoral care and contact with parents.
Pupils: Total age range 2½ -18; 744 pupils, 690 day (50 boys, 640 girls), 54 boarding girls. Senior department 11-18, 396 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used. No special skills or religious requirements.
Scholarships available, academic, art, sport, technology (sixth form only), drama and music. Also means-tested bursaries.
75% live within 30 miles; some abroad (10 different nationalities).
Headmistress: Mrs Ann Aughwane, appointed 2006. Educated at Loughborough University (maths and education). Previously Deputy Head at the school. Also ISI inspector. Teaching staff: 54 full time, 17 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 68 pupils in Year 11, all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects (50% gained A/A* in all subjects). A-levels: 44 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 379.
All sixth form leavers go on to a degree or art foundation course (20% after a gap year). 20% took courses in science and engineering, 48% in arts, humanities and business, 32% in other subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; in addition, all follow a life skills programme. 40% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 6% both. Optional extras include ECDL, critical thinking and extended project. Special provision: Gifted children, mild dyslexics and those with minor physical disabilities welcomed. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. French compulsory Years 4-9; Greek and Mandarin extra-curricular options. Regular exchanges to France and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 120 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access; interactive whiteboards. Some sixth form take ECDL.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10-15 musical groups including 2 full orchestras, choirs and ensembles. Pupils regularly perform in local youth orchestras, are winners in festivals and win scholarships to music colleges. Drama and dance: Drama is very strong. Speech and drama classes available. Art and design: Design and/or textiles technology also offered. On average, 36 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Art school entrants each year.
Sport: Netball, hockey, rounders, athletics, tennis, volleyball compulsory. Optional: salsa, basketball, aerobics, badminton, football, riding, rowing, swimming, squash and cricket. Sixth formers: street dance, self-defence, golf, squash. Pupils regularly represent county in netball, hockey, volleyball, cricket, tennis, athletics. County and regional champions in variety of sports. Own equestrian team and events. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Money raised for charity annually. Many clubs eg chess, stamps, drama, art, football, film, riding, garden design, fashion.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, prefects. School council. Religion: Christian ethos. Inter-denominational assembly compulsory. Social: Drama, music, debating with other schools. Trips abroad include ski trips, sports tours, concerts, field courses, classics trips. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
School has high expectations and aims to provide clear boundaries. Pupils failing to produce homework without genuine reason might expect first a warning (detention thereafter); those caught with illegal drugs on the premises would be asked to leave.
Upper sixth have own study bedrooms, others share. Pupils allowed to provide and cook own snacks. 2 weekend exeats a term. Visits to local town allowed. Casual boarding available.
is run by Mrs S Arnold (Chairman), Mrs K Ruff (Secretary), email katharineruff@yahoo.com.
Holly Willoughby (model and TV presenter); Caroline Aktins (cricketer).
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