Founded in 1945 by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (now Congregation of Jesus) in the tradition of its 17th-century foundress Mary Ward who said 'There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things, as we have seen by example of many saints. And I hope in God it will be seen that women in time to come will do much'. The school has a handsome site of 55 acres about a mile outside the Saxon town of Shaftesbury. It has fine buildings and excellent facilities, including a purpose-built sixth-form house, IT rooms and drama studio; an astroturf pitch and music school are the most recent additions. It aims to educate girls of all Christian denominations, but primarily Roman Catholics, in an environment which develops Christian values and prepares girls for any walk of life. Religious education is part of the core curriculum and there is considerable emphasis on worship and prayer. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:10. Academic standards are good and examination results very good. Music, drama and art are strong; speech and drama exams are taken to Gold Medal level. Ballet and modern dance are well supported. There is a range of clubs and societies and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. A wide and increasing range of sports.

Pupils: Total age range 9-18; 314 girls (115 day, 199 boarding). Senior department 11-18, 300 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, plus interview and testimonial; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A in sixth-form subjects) plus interview with Head.

10 pa scholarships, value 25% fees: 5 academic, 2 art, 2 music. 1 sport. Some means-tested help for existing pupils whose parents hit hard times. Parents expected to buy a few textbooks in sixth form. Maximum extras around 200 per term.

Head: Richard James, appointed 2006. Educated at the Royal College of Music. Previously Deputy Head, Director of Music and Head of House at St Mary's Ascot. Teaching staff: 30 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40-45.

GCSE: 57 pupils in upper fifth, 100% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (most in 9+ subjects). Average GCSE score 67. A-levels: 39 in upper sixth: 96% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 310.

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (53% after a gap year), up to 5% to Oxbridge. 13% in science, medicine and veterinary science, 63% in arts, humanities and classics, 11% in art and design, 13% in eg business management.

GCSE and AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 20% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into courses and activities. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French (compulsory from 9 to 16), German and Spanish all offered to GCSE and A-level; other languages may be offered as extras. Regular exchanges on an individual basis (France and Spain). Most pupils take Pitmans text production in a foreign language. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. 60 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups: brass groups, recorder consort, woodwind ensemble, orchestra, folk group, 4 choirs. Sainsbury Choir of the Year competition, regional winner; Bath music festival, trophy winners; finals of Choir Girl of the Year. Choir trips to St Petersburg, Bavaria, Italy, Budapest and Krakov. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Many achieve gold medal verse and prose, acting with distinction. Art and design: Fine art and photography offered as exam subjects; ceramics, textile, 3D design, printmaking, sculpture also taught.

Sport: Netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders, badminton, fencing, aerobics, riding, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, dance offered; also outdoor pursuits, trampolining, waterpolo, synchronised swimming. Lifesaving awards may be taken. County netball champions, regular finalists at all age groups; county hockey finalists, cross-country champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 10 clubs, eg debating, wine tasting, photography.

Uniform: School uniform worn (sold on premises); varied in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Head after consultation with staff, lower sixth and previous upper sixth. Religion: Roman Catholic. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Regular debates and joint concerts. Trips abroad typically: 1 week trip to France (second year); history of art to Paris (sixth form), Florence, Venice; choir concert to Hungary; general trip to Russia. Pupils allowed to bring own bike for DoE scheme; upper sixth may bring own cars. Meals self-service but eaten formally. School tuck shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to re-do it in own time (re-do in detention on subsequent occasion). Drug or solvent abuse of any kind will result in swift, severe action.