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What it's like

Founded in 1875, it is in an urban residential area near the city centre. The school comprises fine, solid, well-equipped buildings and excellent up-to-date facilities in 17 acres of pleasant grounds, playing fields and woodland. It has its own sixth-form college on site. Its reputation is high and examination results very good. Pupils are well motivated. Music and drama are especially strong and sports and games are played to very high standards (many regional and national representatives). A good range of activities include successful public speaking and involvement in competitions such as Young Engineers and Young Enterprise. It enjoys vigorous local community support as well as support from alumni.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 699 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 563 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3-10, 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).

Scholarships & bursaries

Bursaries available according to need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music, dancing etc charged extra.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs L J Warrington, in post from 1987. Educated at Kesteven and Sleaford High and Leeds University (physics and education). Previously Deputy Head at the school. Teaching staff: 66 full time, 31 part time. Annual turnover 5-10%. Average age 35-40.

Exam results

GCSE: On average 100 pupils in upper fifth; 98% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 2% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 63 (62 over 5 years). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth; 20% pass in 4+ subjects, 78% in 3, 1% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 425.

University & college entrance

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. A few typically go on to HND courses, art colleges or straight into careers eg building societies, management.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects; 28+ 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, AS and A-level general studies an option. 50% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses and activities, with extra support for IT; development encouraged, assessment optional. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, Japan 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). 138 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), most networked, including a school intranet, and many with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 5 musical groups including 2 choirs, orchestra, flute ensemble 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 competitions eg Shakespeare on the Platform, Business and Professional Women's Public Speaking. Art and design: On average, 15-26 take GCSE, 1-2 AS-level, 5-10 A-level. Design, textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

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; 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; link-up with special school for visually impaired, school for hearing impaired; club sailing; outward bound-style activities. Up to 10 clubs, eg modern languages, Christian Union, riding, debating; competitions eg Young Engineers, Young Enterprise.

School life

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. Daily act of worship compulsory except in sixth form or unless withdrawn by parents. Social: Occasional careers conventions, debating society joint with other schools. Organised trips including 1st year to outdoor pursuits centre; exchanges with France, Germany, Japan and Spain; visits to Russia. Sixth form only allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a detention if there was no good reason; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.