The Francis Holland (Church of England) Schools Trust was founded in 1878. This school opened in 1881 in Eaton Terrace and transferred in 1884 to its present site, near Sloane Square in central London. It has close links with its sister school in Regent's Park. The junior school shares the main site. It has handsome buildings which have been well-adapted to modern needs, and the school has recently completed a major programme of expansion in the senior school. A large new building provides a gym and facilities for science, ICT and art; a library has also been added and, most recently, a new performing arts extension. The teaching and examination results are very good. A strong local and family tradition prevails. Its position makes possible a wide use of London's amenities for outings of all kinds. There is a strong music department and drama is very popular. Some sport and games take place on the school site, otherwise local sports centres and Battersea Park are used.

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 450 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 300 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. London schools' consortium entrance exam. For sixth-form entry, written test, interview and 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including sixth-form subjects). C of E school but all denominations accepted. State school entry relatively small. 25% of senior intake from own junior school.

2 pa scholarships awarded at 11 (academic and music), value 25% of fees; 4 pa awarded at 16, 3 academic (50% of fees), 1 music (25% of fees). 3 bursaries at 11+. Parents expected to buy textbooks; lunch included in fees.

Drawn from a wide range of professions: medicine, law, banking, Church, academics, theatre etc.

Headmistress: Miss Stephanie Pattenden, appointed 1997. Educated at St Anne's College, Sanderstead, and at Durham University (mathematics) and King's College London (PGCE). Previously Deputy Head at South Hampstead High, Head of Maths and Sixth Form at Lady Eleanor Holles, Second Mistress at St Paul's and taught at Harrow Girls' Grammar School. Teaching staff: 41 full time, 15 part time.

GCSE: 43 pupils in Year 11: 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 68. A-levels: 40 in upper sixth: 25% passed in 4+ subjects, 75% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 377.

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to degree courses (50% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in maths and science, 30% in language based courses, 10% in social sciences (including business studies), 35% in other arts courses. A few typically go on to art foundation courses.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 AS/A-level subjects (including history of art, economics, psychology, theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually a wide range), 3-4 at A-level; general studies is taught but not examined, AS-level critical thinking offered. Key skills not taught but monitored through sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience undertaken (2 weeks after GCSEs). Special provision: Time concessions requested for dyslexic girls in public exams. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Pupils arrange personal exchanges and go on language courses. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg data-logging. 60 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 9 musical groups including orchestra, choirs, wind, string groups etc. GCSE and A-level taken. Drama and dance: Both offered. LAMDA and ballet exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Each year pupils go on to foundation courses and take degrees in art.

Sport: Netball, hockey, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, athletics, volleyball compulsory. Seniors only: squash, rowing, karate, aerobics, fencing. Activities: Pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Numerous charitable activities including Wings of Hope Achievement Award, collections for local elderly, community party. Clubs include pottery, ballet, drama, debating, gymnastics, chess, engineering, philosophy, science.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, head of house and house prefects, elected by school and staff. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Social: Organised trips abroad include skiing, history of art, language visits to France and Spain. Meals self-service.

Conduct marks for minor offences, detention for more serious ones. Suspension or expulsion in extreme cases.