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What it's like

Founded in 1904, it belongs to the Christian Foundation originally provided by Dean Colet in 1509, like its counterpart for boys. Its handsome Edwardian buildings lie in a pleasant part of Hammersmith and are outstandingly well equipped with, among other things, excellent libraries, ICT provision and a fine theatre; the school is continually modernising. There is a sports hall and fine swimming pool; sports pitches and athletics track are nearby. A non-denominational school and children of other faiths are welcomed. There is a large and extremely well-qualified staff. Academically it is formidably high-powered, equally strong in arts and sciences. The curriculum is designed to introduce girls to a breadth and depth of academic study and a high value is placed on participation in extra-curricular activities, which stretch them beyond the classroom. Paulinas are encouraged to be intellectually curious, independent-minded and caring in their relations with others. Examination results are consistently excellent; an exceptionally high proportion of leavers goes on to Oxbridge each year. Since the appointment of the school's first director of music, Gustav Holst, music has been an important activity. There is a specially built music wing with a concert hall; the Great Hall has an organ. There are many musical groups and a high proportion of girls learn one or more instruments. A great deal of drama is done each year, including workshop productions, and the standards are high. They are equally high in a wide variety of sports and games and physical education. There are demonstrations of self-defence; numerous extra-curricular activities, clubs and societies.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 690 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used.

Scholarships & bursaries

Variable number of awards and scholarships, value 50-100% fees (means-tested); include art, music and sixth-form scholarships, Ogden Trust Science Award (at 16), HSBC scholarships (at 11).

Head & staff

High Mistress: Ms Clarissa Farr, in post from 2006. Educated at Bruton School for Girls and Exeter University (English). Previously Principal of Queenswood and Senior Mistress at Leicester Grammar School. Also former BSA Chairman and GSA President. Teaching staff: 62 full time, 11 part time plus 40 music staff, full and part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 93 in Year 11, gaining grade C or above in an average of 9.2 subjects, with a GCSE score of 70. A-levels: 100 in Year 13. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 446.

University & college entrance

All sixth-form leavers typically go on to a degree course (43% after a gap year), 49% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 58% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in arts and music, 3% in vocational subjects eg management.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. Key skills taught one at a time and applied directly in the curriculum. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also Italian A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 80 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including 4 orchestras, 4 choirs, jazz group, very many ensembles. Pupils regularly offered places at conservatoires or choral/instrumental scholarships at Oxbridge. Many pupils in National Youth Orchestra; school regular finalist in National Schools' Chamber Music Competition. Drama: Drama part of curriculum for first two years, later an option. All pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, over half of pupils take school-directed course with GCSEs. Design, photography, printmaking, critical and historical studies also offered. 2 students on average go on to art colleges each year.

Sports & activities

Sport: Lacrosse, netball, gym, dance, swimming, athletics, volleyball, keep fit etc compulsory to 14. Optional: fencing, badminton, squash, karate, yoga, football, kickboxing, rowing. RLSS exams may be taken. Regional and country junior lacrosse representatives; London Schools athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 70 clubs, eg literary, philosophy, photography, classics, politics, economics, drama, modern languages, history, geography.

School life

Uniform: No school uniform. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. School Council. Religion: Non-denominatinal foundation (with own chaplain); all faiths welcomed. Assemblies and religious studies lessons are inclusive and seek to involve school community as a whole. Social: Joint activities with St Paul's (brother school): concerts and plays, literary, economics, and political discussion groups, modern languages group. History of art, music, skiing and cultural trips to France, Spain, Italy, Russia and USA; regular exchanges with schools in Bonn, Barcelona, Paris, Marseilles, Moscow, St Petersburg, Sydney, Washington, New Hampshire and New York. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals cafeteria style. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to complete the work within the day or by the next.

Former pupils

Brigid Brophy; Harriet Harman; Professor Catherine Peckham; Jessica Rawson; Natasha Richardson; Onora O'Neill; Margaret Turner Warwick; Ruth Itzhaki, Helen Alexander, Rachel Weisz.