Founded in 1919, it has large premises with good facilities in Bedford Park, a garden suburb in west London. The curriculum includes academic courses leading to 8 or 9 GCSEs and training, to a very high standard, in the creative and expressive arts. Music and drama form an integrated course; dance training includes ballet, tap, character and modern. At 16, pupils either continue their vocational and academic training at the school - a vocational, arts-based A-level course has been introduced - or move to another school to study A-levels. When curriculum time allows, pupils have performed with prestigious companies such as The English National Ballet, the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera.

Pupils: Age range 8-18; 154 day pupils, (42 boys, 112 girls). Senior department, 11-18. Entrance: Main entry ages 8, 11, 14 and 16. Own entrance tests in English and maths and potential skills in dance, drama or music assessed. No religious requirements. State school entry 20% of main intake.

3-4 pa scholarships, part fees: 1 music, 1 drama and 2 dance (1 at 11, 1 at 13 and 1 at other ages). Few extras; lunch included in fees.

Headmaster: Oliver Price, appointed 2006. Teaching staff: 15 full time, 18 part time; all creative staff are experienced performers.

GCSE: On average 18 pupils in fifth; 85% gain grade C or above in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 53 (45 over 5 years). A-levels: 12 in sixth form. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 304

80% of leavers go on to sixth forms in other schools, 20% follow vocational courses (dance, drama and music) at specialist colleges.

GCSE, AS/A-levels (also BA in acting and in musical theatre, MA in acting). 11 GCSE subjects including drama and dance, 7 at AS/A-levels. Sixth form: Pupils take 4 subjects to AS-level, 3 at A-level plus vocational subjects (acting, singing, voice, Alexander Technique). Vocational: Work experience for fifth form. Special provision: Private lessons arranged for dyslexic children. Languages: French compulsory to GCSE. Regular visits to France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg geography and French. 16 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), many networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take NICAS.

Music: 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 2 choirs, 3 ensembles. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered and GCSE may be taken; also LAMDA, RAD, ISTD (ballet, modern). Performances with Royal Opera House, English National Ballet and English National Opera. Art and design: On average, 18 take GCSE. Pottery also offered.

No sports or community service offered. Up to 5 clubs.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head boy and girl, selected by staff; class captains elected. Religion: Inter-denominational. 2 school assemblies weekly. Social: Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework or committing other infringements might expect a demerit or detention.

Julie Andrews; Catherine Becque; Claire Bloom; Sarah Brightman; Darcy Bussell; Anna Cartaret; Adam Cooper; Leslie Crowther; Liz Crowther; Seth Gilber; Matthew Hart; Nigel Havers; Finola Hughes; Teresa Jarvis; Glynis Johns; Margaret Lockwood; Cherie Lunghi; Gillian Lynne; Sarah Miles; Jane Seymour; Antoinette Sibley.