Founded in 1884, it is a few minutes from the town centre and close to the rail/tram and bus stations. The main school is housed in a handsome Edwardian building, to which there have been many fine modern additions. Facilities are good with specialist accommodation for art, design and technology, ICT, music, drama and science. A Christian foundation, it now welcomes pupils of all religious faiths and none. Examination results are very good. There is a tradition of achievement in sport and games, particularly swimming, netball and hockey. Many clubs and activities flourish and extensive work is done on behalf of national charities. It enjoys strong local support.

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 1032 day pupils (104 boys, 928 girls). Senior department 11-18, 673 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade B including English and maths (preferably A, in sixth-form subjects).

1 pa academic scholarship at 11, value up to 50% of fees. Approx 10 governors' awards, based on academic ability and financial need, at age 11. Parents are not expected to buy textbooks. Lunches and instrumental musical tuition extra.

Headmistress: Mrs R S Georghiou, appointed 2003. Educated at Manchester University (English). Previously Deputy Headmistress at Westholme School and Head of  English at Bolton School (Girls). Teaching staff: 77 full time, 23 part time.

GCSE: 103 pupils in year 11; 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 65 (over last 5 years). A-levels: 64 in upper sixth, all passing in 4+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 397.

Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (several after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 14% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 5% in science and engineering, 6% in law, 42% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in arts, 3% in languages, 3% in art and design, 12% in vocational subjects eg business and management, finance, computer science, education. A few typically go on to art or drama training.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (5 if includes further maths), 3-4 at A-level; in addition, AS-level general studies optional. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE (one modern foreign language compulsory), AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 66 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access; plus 32 laptops on wireless network and 16 computers in sixth-form room. GCSE and A-level IT offered.

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, chamber quartet, brass, wind bands, jazz group, choirs. Drama: Drama offered; A-level theatre studies. Some pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 30-35 take art and design GCSE, 9 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles also offered.

Sport: Athletics, hockey, netball, swimming, gymnastics, dance, tennis, rounders, basketball, volleyball, badminton, health-related fitness compulsory. GCSE and A-level PE offered. Regular county, occasional national, swimming, hockey, cross-country; also England netball rep and county badminton players. Activities: Community service optional at age 16-18. Up to 30 clubs, eg science, football, photography, badminton, debating, environment, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. Appointed head girl, deputy head girl and elected head of sixth form committee. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school. All religious faiths welcome. Social: Many concerts, plays and societies are joint with Bury Grammar Boys. Both schools share sixth-form common-room facilities. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once would be expected to hand it in the next day (lunchtime detention for repeated offences); those involved in smoking could expect suspension. Anyone with drugs on the premises could expect expulsion.

Victoria Wood, Nicola Shindler, Gill Samuels.