Founded in 1952, the main building of the school is Lavant House, a listed Sussex flintstone house just north of Chichester, between the South Downs and the sea. It is set in 7 acres of gardens and playing fields, with a further 55 acres of grazing for horses. The school enjoys a family atmosphere and has many of the advantages of being small: personalised teaching leading to good examination results, excellent staff/pupil relationships, and the involvement of all pupils in major extra-curricular activities. There are good drama and music departments and a fine sporting record, especially in netball and athletics. There is a riding stables next to the school and an active Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 165 girls (140 day, 25 boarding). Senior department 11-18, 125 girls. Entrance:à Main entry ages 11-13. Entry by own assessment tests, Common Entrance or key stage 2/3; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements, although the school has a broadly Christian ethos. State school entry 15+% of senior intake; own junior department 50+%.

Some scholarships, value 20% of fees, awarded at 11, 13 and sixth form. Some bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Headmistress: Mrs M Scott, in post from 2001. Educated at Talbot Heath and Cambridge University (natural sciences). Previously Deputy Head at the school and taught at The Abbey School and at Long Road Sixth Form College. Teaching staff: 14 full time, 15 part time.

GCSE: 20 pupils in Year 11: 75% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 17% in 5-7 subjects; average of 8.9 subjects, with a GCSE score of 54. A-levels: 6 in upper sixth: 13% pass in 4+ subjects; 87% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 325.

Sixth-form leavers usually all go on to university (some after a gap year). Approx 25% go onto courses in science, 25% in humanities, 25% in arts and 25% vocational courses eg teaching, nursing, computing, PR.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL and dyslexia teaching (both extra). Languages: French, Spanish and Latin offered at GCSE and A-level; all languages compulsory from 11-14. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 40+ computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), 20 networked and most with email and internet access.

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, instrumental groups. Drama: GCSE drama, AS and A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils involved in school productions, including musicals. Art and design: Pottery, textiles, photography and history of art also offered.

Sport: Netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders compulsory. Optional: fencing, badminton, volleyball, squash, riding. Sport is compulsory throughout the school. GCSE PE, A-level sports studies and BHS exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Other activities vary but include eg Red Cross First Aid course, jazz dance.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, heads of house and games captain, appointed by school and Headmistress. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Morning assembly; parish church used for special occasions. Social: Organised language and art trips to eg Granada (2007); netball tour to Barbados (2006); ski trip to France (2005). Pupils allowed to bring own horse, bike or car to school. Meals self-service. No alcohol or tobacco allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once would be reprimanded, detention for subsequent failures; those caught smoking cannabis or bringing alcohol onto the premises could expect expulsion.

is run c/o the school. An old girls' network, Lavant Exchange, is run by Terry Carlysle, email lavantexchange@aol.com