Add to clipboard

What it's like

Founded in 1885, it is set in attractive grounds and gardens in the village of Bramley, three miles south of Guildford. The buildings are a mixture of traditional and modern, red-brick. Excellent teaching facilities include new language and science laboratories, music school and art centre. There are extensive playing fields and facilities for sports and games, including an indoor swimming pool. It is a Church of England school with its own chapel in which there are regular services. There is a large staff allowing a good staff:pupil ratio of about 1:9. Academic standards are high and examination results excellent. There is a considerable emphasis on music, with choirs, an orchestra, concert band, ensembles and jazz group. Drama and art also flourish. A range of sports and games is available and teams have been regularly successful at county and national levels. Numerous clubs and societies cater for extra-curricular activities. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Young Enterprise are well supported.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18, 820 girls (680 day, 140 boarding). Senior department 11-18, 580 girls. Entrance: Main entry age, 4, 11, 16. Own entrance exam; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B. State school entry 10% main senior intake; 35% from own prep school,St Catherine's Prep School (transfer not automatic).

Scholarships & bursaries

16-17 pa scholarships, value 17%-33% fees: 12 academic/all-rounder, 1 sport, 1 art, 2 music (3-4 at 11, 4 at 15, 9 at 16); also organ scholarship in conjunction with Guildford Cathedral. Some sixth-form travel bursaries

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs A Phillips, in post since 2000. Educated at Kendal High School and Cambridge University (English). Previously Deputy Head of Tormead. Teaching staff: 76 full time, 26 part time. Annual turnover 8%.

Exam results

GCSE: 82 pupils in upper fifth, all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, with average GCSE score of 73. A-levels: 76 in upper sixth: 41% passed in 4+ subjects; 59% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 387.

University & college entrance

All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (36% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 9% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 43% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in languages, 15% in art or vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, education, sports studies.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects, 28 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies (A-level optional). 12% take science A-levels; 41% arts/humanities; 47% both. Key skills (communication and ICT) integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available (one week in lower sixth). Languages: French and German or Spanish (from 11), Latin and classical Greek offered to GCSE and A-level; also GCSE Italian in sixth form, Mandarin as extra-curricular subject. Annual exchanges (to France, Spain and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject throughout the school and across the curriculum. All pupils take ICT qualifications (GCSE short course, Clait; ICT key skills level 3). Computers for pupil use around the school, all networked and most with email and internet access; sixth form has wireless internet access.

The arts

Music: Nearly 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including 8 choirs, orchestra, concert bands, jazz group, chamber groups, flute choir. Strong choral tradition. Drama and dance: Both offered. LAMDA and RAD exams may be taken. Two major school productions annually; all take part in house/other productions. Art and design: Pottery, textiles, photography, print-making, sculpture, drawing, painting and graphics offered. Artist in residence.

Sports & activities

Sport: Netball, lacrosse, rounders, athletics, swimming, tennis compulsory. Optional: squash, tennis coaching, gymnastics. Fifth form only: basketball, volleyball, football, dance, yoga, aerobics. Multi sports available at Guildford Spectrum and Surrey University. GCSE and A-level sport offered. U15 lacrosse team joint national winners (2007). 11 girls play cacrosse for national teams. Activities: Most pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award, some for gold. Community service optional. Numerous clubs, eg dancing, textiles, drama, judo, swimming, art, ceramics, needlecraft, Tante Marie class, lifesaving, computer, Caledonian Society, CDT, Culture Vultures, Christian Union, musical activities.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form (suits on specified occasions). Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, 2 head girls (appointed by the Headmistress), head of house. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Regular joint events with other local boys' schools. Activities week for all includes visits to places of interest in UK or abroad. Upper sixth day girls may bring own car to school. Meals self-service. School shop.

Discipline

Girls abide by the Traditions of St Catherine's, which they have contributed to themselves. Discipline aims to be supportive rather than punitive. Pupils failing to hand in prep are always expected to catch up; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect suspension or expulsion.

Former pupils

Dorothy Tutin; Joan Greenwood; Zena Skinner; Francine Stock; Sarah Crowe; Juliet Stevenson; Charlie Figgis.