Founded in 1891, it is an urban, inner-city school with a single site. The original buildings form the nucleus of the modern school and have been extensively augmented to provide very good facilities, most recently for languages and music. It has good links with the city and with Bristol University and, while the majority of girls live in Bristol, about one third travel from further afield (Chepstow, Gloucester, Bath etc). Every girl is treated as an individual and encouraged to discover her own strengths and gifts so that she can further them. The teaching is good, as are the examination results. As a Christian foundation, daily assemblies are valued and religious education is Christian but non-denominational. A good range of standard sports, games and activities. There is a big commitment to drama and to music, with a strong choral tradition.

Pupils: Age range 10-18; 440 day girls. Entrance: Main entry age 10, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade B (including in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required; C of E foundation, but all denominations welcome. 90% from state schools (plus small number to sixth form).

13 pa academic scholarships, value 100-1000 pa (6 at 11 and 7 at 16). Variable number of bursaries at 11, 14 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch is optional extra in some years.

Head Mistress: Mrs Lesley Jones, appointed 2003. Educated at Maidstone School for Girls and Leeds University (geography, economic history). Previously Deputy Head at Wellington School, Somerset. Teaching staff: 30 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 37.

GCSE: 58 pupils in Year 11: all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects, average in 9.3 subjects, with GCSE score of 60. A-levels: 38 in upper sixth: 8% passed in 4 subjects; 84% in 3; 8% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 260.

90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 55% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design, 5% in music.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level (broad range), 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 25% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills implicit in all subjects; not separately assessed. Vocational: Work shadowing available. Special provision: Dyslexia co-ordinator oversees any dyslexic pupil, liaising with form and teaching staff. Languages: French, German, Russian, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE and A-level; 1-year Japanese course in Year 10 and in sixth form. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, Spain and Russia. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with Email and internet access; all Year 12 are given free laptops. Lower sixth pupils take ECDL.

Music: Up to 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken (110 pupils a year). Ensembles include chamber orchestra, wind quintet, chamber choir, jazz group, concert band, pupil-led gospel group. 15 pupils are members of county schools orchestra. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and other productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 8 A-level. Design also offered.

Sport: Swimming, hockey, netball, athletics, tennis compulsory. Optional: aerobics, body tone, squash, badminton, volleyball. GCSE PE, A-level sports studies may be taken. England team representatives at cross-country, gymnastics and trampolining. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for sixth form. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, public speaking, computing, design, Christian Union, drama, Young Enterprise.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Prefects and houses: Senior prefect management team selected by sixth form and staff. Religion: Non-denominational school. Religious worship encouraged. Services in church once a term, with major Commemoration at Bristol Cathedral. Social: Debates, choir, drama productions, dance with other schools. Organised trips to eg Russia, Italy, Austria, France, Greece; chamber choir to Prague (2006). A few pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Small tuckshop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

A co-operative approach between home and school. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a discussion with staff member; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion.