Add to clipboard

What it's like

Founded in 1900 in Harrow, it moved in 1982 to its present 9-acre site which offers ample playing fields and an athletics track. The buildings are spacious and modern. There are good modern facilities, including for art, ICT and music, a new drama studio and an indoor pool and sports hall; most recently a new sixth-form centre has been added. The junior department is housed in a purpose-built wing on the same site. The school provides an all-round education and examination results are good. There is also a strong emphasis on pastoral care and extra-curricular activities. The music and PE departments are strong. There is a range of games and sports; a number of county lacrosse players. The school has been awarded both Artsmark and Sportsmark.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 570 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 422 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 40% senior intake (plus 80% new intake to sixth form).

Scholarships & bursaries

4-6 pa scholarships, value 980-2940: most academic, 1 music (awarded at 11 or 16). Approx 8 pa means-tested bursaries, for senior school only. Maximum extras, 130 per term plus lunches.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Miss Christine Juett, appointed 1997. Educated at South Hampstead High and London University (geography). Previously Deputy Head at Wycombe High School. Teaching staff: 51 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 6%.

Exam results

GCSE: 74 pupils in Year 11: all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 63 (61 over 5 years). A-levels: 40 in upper sixth: 100% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 373.

University & college entrance

99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 20% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design. Others typically go on to non-degree courses or art college.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE and 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 40% take science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 30% both. Special provision: Some extra tuition. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Mandarin offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular French, Spanish and German trips. French and Spanish nationals in school as assistants. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg research and data-logging. 187 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All pupils take GCSE in IT.

The arts

Music: Up to 25% pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choir, orchestra, string group, recorder group. 6 in LEA music college, 2 to Royal Academy. Drama: GCSE drama and AS/A level theatre studies offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average 6 take A-level. 3 pa usually accepted for art college.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rounders, tennis, athletics, lacrosse, netball, football, badminton, swimming available. 10 county lacrosse players. Activities: Clubs include computer, social service volunteers, public-speaking, speech and drama, chess and Young Enterprise group, Duke of Edinburgh, Model United Nations, art and craft, ballet, first aid, debating.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and deputy, and heads of houses - elected by upper part of school. Religion: Inter-denominational. Daily assembly. Social: Social service volunteers with local boys' school. Trips to France, Spain and Germany; ski trip, sports tour to USA. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Punishment given by subject teacher and then in a line through Form Tutor and ultimately to Head. Serious transgressions would lead to parental involvement immediately.

Alumni association

GDST Minerva Network.