Founded in 1902 by Mrs Julia Huxley, mother of Julian and Aldous, it retains links with the Huxley family which has been a guiding influence since the foundation. The main buildings, which include a Voysey house, are in a delightful and peaceful rural site of 25 acres (including formal gardens) in the green belt outside Guildford. Recent additions include a sixth-form house, music school, sports hall and new science centre; otherwise the school is under one roof. A small but vibrant school, it has a congenial family atmosphere and enjoys comfortable refurbished accommodation and good modern facilities. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9. Academic standards and examination results are good. Music and drama are strong. All girls play sport on a regular basis. There is a wide range of co-curricular activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Young Enterprise.

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 331 girls (212 day, 119 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam plus interview; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Many pupils from St Hilary's, Longacre, Halstead, Rydes Hill, St Catherine's and St Ives schools.

5-8 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: 2 academic plus others for art, drama, music and sport, awarded at 11 and 13; also sixth-form scholarships. Special discounts for service daughters, sisters and old girls. Parents not expected to buy textbooks, except for some examination texts.

60+% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas.

Headmistress: Mrs Julie Roseblade, in post from 2006. Previously Deputy Head at St Helen's, Northwood. Teaching staff: 36 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.

GCSE: 50 pupils in Year 11: 82% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 18% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 59. A-levels: 25 in upper sixth: 24% passed in 4+ subjects; 76% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 301.

96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, some after a gap year. 12% take courses in science and engineering, 60% in humanities, 28% in art and design. Others go on to eg drama college and non-degree courses.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. On average, 55% take arts/humanities A-levels; 45% both arts/humanities and science. Vocational: Work experience available. Also touch typing in first year. Special provision: Specialist teacher for dyslexic pupils and for EFL (one-to-one or in small groups). Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. German, Italian, Arabic and Russian lessons by arrangement. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject, across the curriculum and through learning skills. 45 computers for pupil use (15 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Computers available in boarding houses; some pupils have their own laptops.

Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 10 musical groups including 3 choirs, 2 orchestras, 2 flute groups, strings, chamber orchestra, jazz group and ensembles. Solo singing entrants and chamber choirs often won at Woking and Godalming Festivals. Drama and dance: GCSE and A-level drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Dance may form part of PE course. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house productions. More than 50% distinctions and honours for LAMDA. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, history of art, sculpture also offered.

Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, dance, basketball, athletics, rounders compulsory. Optional: badminton, volleyball, squash, trampolining, table tennis, golf, football, archery, fencing, aerobics, riding. RLSS exams may be taken. County hockey, tennis, cross country and athletics representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Over 45 clubs, eg lacemaking, computers, gymnastics, chess, photography.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head girl - appointed by the Headmistress after ballot of sixth form and staff. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Skiing holidays, activity camps and exchanges with schools in France, Spain and Australia. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service (includes special diets and vegetarian). School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do it in their own time by the following day; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises expect expulsion.

is run by Mrs Margaret Elliott, c/o the school.

Enid Bagnold; Baroness Warnock; Jill Bennett and Victoria Hamilton (actresses).