The original foundation is based on the will of Elizabeth Godolphin made in 1726 and the school moved to its present site on the edge of Salisbury in 1891. The main building is Victorian and the other buildings reflect the full range of 20th-century architectural styles, as the school has steadily developed. The most recent addition is a purpose-built performing arts centre, a new boarding house and a sixth-form residential study centre. The buildings are surrounded by 16 acres of gardens and playing fields overlooking open countryside. The school was founded in accordance with the Anglican tradition; morning prayers and some religious services are compulsory and there are regular services in Salisbury Cathedral. A broad general education is provided and examination results are very good. Considerable emphasis is placed on careers and higher-education advice. There are very active music, drama and art departments and the school is well equipped with sporting facilities (including a modern sports hall, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre). A wide range of extra-curricular and weekend activities is open to day girls and boarders, including the first all-girls school CCF. The school has its own prep school.

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 435 girls (269 day, 166 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used. For sixth-form entry, interview, school report, GCSE results (grade B in sixth-form subjects) and a written paper in proposed sixth-form subjects. Small state school entry; intake from a variety of local prep schools including Godolphin Prep (tel 01722 430652).

Scholarships, value 5%-50% fees: academic, music, art and sports. Variable number of bursaries.

Headmistress: Miss Jill Horsburgh, appointed in 1996. Educated at the universities of Oxford (history) and Leicester (education); postgraduate work at universities of Sheffield and Surrey. Previously Deputy Head and Head of History at Benenden and taught at Downe House. Teaching staff: 57 full time, 28 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 40.

GCSE: 66 pupils in fifth: 94% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 64. A-levels: 50 in upper sixth: 70% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 350.

98% sixth-form leavers go on to a degree or foundation course, some after a gap year. 24% take degree courses in science and engineering, 68% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at both AS and A-level. Key skills assumed to be integrated in courses. Vocational: Work shadowing in lower sixth. RSA Stage 1 Clait and Stages 1 and 2 wordprocessing. Special provision: EFL coaching, and support for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, Spanish, German and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Italian and classical Greek for fun. All sixth form may continue with languages regardless of sixth-form subjects. Cable TV access to European networks. Regular visits and exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 65 computers for pupil use (13 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Clait on offer to sixth form.

Music: 65% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken, also GCSE and A-level. Some 16 musical groups including choirs, bands, orchestras, string orchestras, ensembles. Pupils are members of national and county orchestras and choirs. Pupils regularly go on to conservatoires. Public concerts, UK and foreign music tours, workshops and masterclasses. Drama: Drama at GCSE and A-level. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 50+% take GCSE, 30% A-level. 3D design, pottery, textiles, photography, wood/metal work, sculpture, printing, art history, life class also offered. Trips to local, national and international art galleries; visits by leading artists (workshops and seminars at exam level); students' work regularly exhibited.

Sport: Netball, hockey, lacrosse, gym, dance, athletics, tennis, swimming and rounders compulsory (for 3 years). Choice of 24 other optional sports. RLSS exams may be taken. Pupils in national athletics and junior lacrosse teams; 24 county players (various sports). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; CCF. Up to 30 clubs, eg fencing, riding, golf, lifesaving, pets, photography, cricket, touch rugby, pottery, lacemaking, jewellery making, cooking-for-fun.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmistress after school election. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Debating and parties with local boys' schools. Music, art, ski and adventure trips to Europe, Middle East, Africa, North and South America. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service.

Personal tutors impose penalties for poor performance and encourage and support achievements, both academic and other, through a commendation/order mark system. Serious offences (eg use of tobacco or alcohol or bullying) are dealt with firmly and immediately; expulsion likely for possession of illegal drugs and suspension for repeated smoking.