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What it's like

Founded in 1894, it has handsome well-equipped premises in a pleasant residential suburb south of Glasgow, just minutes from the city centre. The playing fields are on the Pollok estate a few minutes away. Primary and secondary departments are combined, the infant department and nursery are on a separate site within a few minutes walking distance. Excellent facilities are provided, including most recently a library and resource centre, science laboratory and music suite and sports complex, each with up-to-date technology. It is an inter-denominational school. Academic standards are high and public examination results are very good. There are strong music and drama departments and an active art department. Sports and games are also of a high standard with regular representation at regional and national level, particularly in hockey. A range of extra-curricular activities is available to pupils at all ages. A number of enterprising trips are organised. The schoolžs record in the Duke of Edinburghžs Award Scheme is outstanding. The sixth form operates a Young Enterprise Company.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3ÃÂ"18; 520 day pupils (15 boys, 505 girls). Senior department 12ÃÂ"18, 259 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11 and 12. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, individual interview, school report (generally S-grade credit 1 or 2 if taking on to Higher). No special skills or religious requirements.

Scholarships & bursaries

Limited number of means-tested bursaries, usually for girls entering at age 12. Parents expected to buy textbooks, instrumental lessons, optional canteen lunch.

Head & staff

Principal: Mrs Gillian Stobo, in post from 2004. Educated at Glasgow High and Glasgow University (chemistry). Previously Assistant Rector at Glasgow High School. Teaching staff: 60 full time, 10 part time.

Exam results

S-grade: 41 pupils in S-grade year: all passed in 5+ subjects. Highers: 41 in Higher year (S5): 91% passed in 4+ subjects. Advanced highers: 27 in S6: on average, 92% passed in 3 subjects.

University & college entrance

100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 15% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 19% in science and engineering, 8% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 4% in vocational subjects eg accountancy, nursing, music, sport.

Curriculum

S-grades, Highers, Advanced Higher and SQA national courses. 14 subjects offered at S-grade: all take English, maths, at least one social subject, one science and one language. 86% participate in a technical activitiy, 88% in a creative activity. Wide range of National Qualification subjects (intermediate to advanced higher). Vocational: Work experience available; also various short courses in eg media, design with business. Special provision: Specialist learning support teacher. Languages: French compulsory from age 4 to S-grade. National qualifcations in French, Spanish, German and Italian. Regular visits to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg statistical analysis in geography, data-logging in science. 150 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access; additional resources in junior school.

The arts

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups including 2 orchestras, 3 choirs, 2 flute groups, 2 string ensembles, clarinet quartet. 8 in regional independent schools orchestra. Drama: Drama offered in curriculum. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and many in public-speaking. Annual school show, play or musical. Pupils recently taken part in nationwide youth theatre events eg Shakespeare Schools Festival. Art and design: On average, 15 take S-grade, 10 Higher. Pottery, photography and jewellery also offered. Pupils take part in annual art competitions.

Sports & activities

Sport: Curricular sports: gymnastics, dance, netball, voleyball, badminton, cross-country, athletics, short tennis, tennis, hockey, indoor hockey, climging wall, swimming. Optional: self-defence for seniors. Scottish hockey players (2 U18, 1 U16), 1 U17 cross-country; 1 county tennis player. Winners of district hockey tournament and runners-up at Scottish indoor hockey championships. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for 1 year at age 16+. Up to 10 clubs, eg country dancing, debating, pottery, equastrian, engineering.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and deputes appointed by peers. Head of house and house prefects (elected). School Forum chaired by head girl. Religion: Christian school. Assembly compulsory three mornings a week (inter-denominational); separate Jewish assembly weekly. Social: Joint discos for charity with local schools. Frequent organised trips abroad (at least one annually) including skiing and to eg Europe, China, Costa Rica. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco, drugs or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

After-school detentions for failure to produce homework after three requests; pupils caught smoking cannabis would expect suspension.

Former pupils

Lesley Bale (BAA Director); Kate Heavenor (BBC presenter); Joanna Boag-Thomson (intellectual property partner, Shepherd and Wedderburn).