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What it's like

Founded in 1850 the school moved several times before settling at Wykham Park. It is housed in a 17th-century manor house, and also in a fine 18th-century house next door, set in beautiful gardens and parkland. Boarding accommodation and general facilities are excellent. Attention is given to religious education in the Anglican tradition; there is Sunday worship at school or the local Roman Catholic church. A large and well-qualified staff permits a favourable staff:pupil ratio of about 1:9. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. There is much emphasis on music, with excellent facilities and an orchestra, choir and smaller musical groups. Facilities for sports and games are first class, and include squash courts, sports hall, astroturf for hockey in winter, tennis in summer, gym and a swimming pool. Polo and riding are available, as well as the standard range of sports and games. There is an impressive range of clubs and societies, including a Young Enterprise company. Public speaking is strong. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is popular and many sixth form are involved in local social and community services. There are many creative activities, eg art, dance, CDT, cookery and drama.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 288 girls (65 day, 223 full boarding). Entrance:à Main entry ages 11, 12 and 13. Common Entrance exam used. Few sixth-form places available but 5 GCSEs required (at least grade B in sixth-form subjects). State school entry very small. Entry from a wide range of schools nationwide.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships at 11, 12, 13; most academic, also music, art, sport and drama.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Miss Wendy Griffiths, in post from 2004. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Carmarthen, and University of Wales (zoology and PGCE). Previously Director of Studies at St Catherine's, Bramley, Head of Sixth Form at Tormead and taught at Wispers School. Teaching staff: 46 full time, 13 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 42 pupils in upper fifth, who gain at least grade C in an average of 9.7 subjects, with a GCSE score of 66. A-levels: 37 in upper sixth, who pass an average of 3 subjects with a final point scored of 302.

University & college entrance

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (60% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 61% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in art and design, 10% in other vocational subjects eg education, hospitality management, agriculture, physiotherapy, architecture. Others typically go on to art courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels: 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, contemporary issues taught to all. 20% take science A-levels; 55% arts/humanities; 25% combinations. Vocational: All pupils do work experience after GCSE. Special provision: 1 full-time SENCO, 2 part-time learning support staff, 2 classroom asssistants. Languages: French, German, Latin and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also beginner's Russian, GCSE Italian, classical Greek to AS-level in sixth form. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject; all study Clait in Year 9 onwards, with aim of achiving level 2-3 qualifications. Extensive ICT provision and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choir, big bands, wind band, string groups, etc. Drama and dance: Both offered. A-level theatre studies, GCSE dance and Guildhall drama exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 28 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Textiles, photography and CDT also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, lacrosse, rounders, tennis, athletics compulsory. Optional: squash, basketball, badminton, riding, polo. Sixth form only: sailing, golf. Frequent firsts at independent schools events in cross-country, riding. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service compulsory at age 17. Various clubs, eg dance, art, photography, Young Enterprise, public speaking (very strong), debating, especially for Model United Nations (very strong). World Challenge expedition every 2 years.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in fifth and sixth forms. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Headmistress. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory until age 17. Social: Sports, choral society and guest lecturers jointly with other local schools. Trips abroad eg Russia, art trip and classics to Italy, expeditions to eg Peru, Tanzania. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework might expect to do it in their free time; sixth formers behind with their work are not allowed away at weekends. Pupils could be expelled for serious offences.