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What it's like

Founded in 1854, the present school dates from 1888. The main building (and the heart of the school) is a very elegant late 18th-century house in a beautiful garden and wooded park of 19 acres on the edge of Darlington. The nursery and junior school are combined with the main school. Both the junior school and the sixth form are co-educational (the sixth form since 2007); education between 11 and 16 is for girls only. The buildings, facilities and accommodation are excellent. Great importance is attached to pastoral life and to the creation of a happy family atmosphere. The school welcomes pupils from a variety of backgrounds and of varying ability, confident that all can be helped to achieve their potential. A broad academic education is given and examination results are very good. The music, art and drama departments are strong and there is a good range of sports, games and activities. Substantial commitment to local community service, supported through a comprehensive PSHCE programme. Impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 434 pupils, 14 day boys, 420 girls (366 day, 54 boarding). Senior department 11-18, 230 pupils, 7 boys, 223 girls (sixth form only recently co-educational). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects) but exceptions for overseas pupils. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 30% of senior intake plus small number to sixth form. Own junior school provides 70% senior intake (enquiries to the Junior School Headmistress, same address).

Scholarships & bursaries

Number of annual scholarships, value 8%-33% (exceptionally 50%) of fees: sport, music and academic (2 awarded at age 7, 4+ at 11, 2+ at 14, up to 10 at 16). Variable number of means-tested bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras 100.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Miss Marie Green, appointed 2004. Educated at Mount St Joseph Convent Grammar (Bolton), Catherine McAuley School (Doncaster) and Lancaster University (English and French). Previously Head of English at Withington, Head of Sixth Form Girls at St Bede's College, Manchester, and teacher at William Hulme's Grammar School. Also Secretary of MATE (Manchester Association for the Teaching of English); written several plays for school productions, including Titanic and adaptation of Animal Farm.

Exam results

GCSE: 48 pupils in upper fifth: 73% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 20% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 53. A-levels: 19 in upper sixth: 74% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 290.

University & college entrance

96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 53% take courses in humanities and social sciences, 7% in science and engineering, 25% in business-related subjects and 4% in vocational subjects, eg education, nursing. Others typically go on to art college.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 21 AS-levels, 19 A-level (including statistics, theatre studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS and 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies (A-level optional). 30% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Dyslexia Institute visits; EAL lessons provided in school; special needs unit. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level (French compulsory from age 11, German and Spanish from 12). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg introduction of calculus in maths and DTP in English. 100 computers for pupil use, networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including choir, wind band, chamber groups, soul band. Members of National Children's Orchestra, National Youth Wind Orchestra, Northern Junior Philharmonic etc. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, ESB, LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Recent productions include Grimm Tales, Little Shop of Horrors. Art and design: On average, 18 take GCSE, 6 AS-level, 5 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles and photography also offered. Recent pupil to foundation course at Central Saint Martin's.

Sports & activities

Sport: Lacrosse, hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders compulsory. Optional: badminton, self-defence, fencing, squash, basketball, volleyball. Sixth form only: rock climbing. GCSE, A-level and BAGA exams may be taken. Representatives in county and area hockey teams; regional lacrosse squads; area netball teams. National representation in fencing and golf. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional in sixth form. 30+ clubs and societies, eg film, country dance, fencing, creative writing, chess, drama, origami, flower-arranging, quiz leagues.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. No prefects; head student and heads of house elected by school and staff. Religion: Christian, inter-denominational. Morning assembly (reading) compulsory at all ages. Social: Social functions and occasional joint musical activities with local independent schools. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Few school rules; code based on respect for self and others. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a lunchtime catch-up session; those caught drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis on the premises may expect suspension or permanent exclusion.

Alumni association

can be contactd c/o the school.