Founded by Miss Olive Willis in 1907 in Darwin's home, Downe House in Kent, it moved to its present site in 1921. This is a very beautiful site of 110 acres in the village of Cold Ash, on a wooded ridge 5 miles north of Newbury. Extensive modernisation and building has taken place over the years and facilities are now first-rate. The accommodation is very civilised. Life in the sixth form is planned to give girls a greater degree of independence to provide a transition between school and higher education. The school has its own chapel which is central to school life. The teaching is good and examination results are excellent. The school is very strong indeed in music; the art and drama departments are very active. There are excellent sports facilities and a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 550 girls (13 day, 537 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12 and 13. Common Entrance exam and own assessment used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade B (grade A preferred in sixth-form subjects). Small state school entry. Feeder schools include Bute House, The Dragon, Highfield, Cheam, Falkner House, Packwood Haugh.

Variable number of scholarships, value 17%-40% fees: academic, sports, music, all-rounder, art, drama. Some bursaries, based on financial need.

Headmistress: Mrs Emma McKendrick, appointed 1997. Educated at Bedford High and at the universities of Liverpool and Birmingham (German and Dutch). Previously Headmistress at The Royal School, Bath.

GCSE: 75 pupils in upper fifth: 100% gained grade C or above in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 71 (70 over 5 years). A-levels: 63 in upper sixth: 100% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 412.

All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (74% after a gap year), 18% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 21% in science and engineering, 51% in humanities and social sciences (including languages), 18% in art and design, 4% in vocational subjects eg sports science, physiotherapy, education.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27+ AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS and A-level general studies. 31% take science A-levels; 36% arts/humanities; 33% both. Communication skills integrated into general studies, IT as a discrete unit (to level 3); number key skills not covered. Leith's Certificate in Food and Wine also offered in sixth form. Special provision: 2 part-time learning support teachers (full-time co-ordinator); also EFL. Languages: French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also Italian GCSE and French and German AS-level. All 12-year olds spend a term in France; regular exchanges (aged 14-16 to France). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum; compulsory to 16. 250 computers for pupil use (all day), networked and most with email and internet access. Many girls have own laptops but school has ratio of 1:3 computers to girls.

Music: Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including 3 orchestras, 4 choirs, wind, brass bands. National Chamber Music Competition finalists and semi-finalists. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 20 take AS and A-level; 12 take GCSE photography, 16 take AS and A-level. Pottery, textiles also offered. Most A-level students accepted to first choice art foundation courses.

Sport: Tennis, squash, lacrosse, swimming, athletics, aerobics, gymnastics, trampolining, cross-country, running, dance compulsory. National, county and territory lacrosse representatives; county netball, cross-country and athletics representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg clay-pigeon shooting, debating, fencing, art appreciation. Variety of social, creative and physical activities and optional weekend events.

Pupils failing to produce prep once might expect to complete it in a supervised work session; for those caught smoking cannabis on the premises the ultimate sanction is expulsion.

Geraldine James (actress); Georgina Capel (literary agent); Clare Balding (TV sports commentator).