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What it's like

Founded in 1880, it moved in 1887 to its present site in the centre of Wimbledon. The school has recently undergone a major refurbishment programme, which includes a purpose-built junior department and a new performing arts centre. Sports facilities, including an all-weather pitch, are on the site of the original All England Tennis Club. Pupils come from the immediate vicinity and from a radius of some 20 miles. Examination results are very good. The ethos of the school is friendly and deliberately non-competitive in order to focus on the qualities of the individual. Girls are encouraged to practise leadership through the school council and sixth form committee. Music, art and drama are very strong; there is a high level of participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and World Challenge. There are close links with local organisations and charities, chosen by the pupils.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 900 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 580 girls. Entrance:à Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16; some at 7 and 13. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, an entrance test, interview and 8 GCSE passes (grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Own junior department provides some 60% of senior intake (enquiries to the Junior Department Admissions Secretary).

Scholarships & bursaries

Variable number of scholarships and bursaries available. Parents expected to buy some textbooks; music tuition and lunches extra.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Pamela Wilkes, in post since 2001. Educated at St Joseph's Convent, Sidcup, and Hull University (history and theology). Previously Deputy Head at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls. Teaching staff: 60 full time, 20 part time (with 20 visiting music staff). Average annual turnover 10%. Average age 45.

Exam results

GCSE: 85 pupils in Year 11, almost all gaining at least grade C in 10+ subjects. Average GCSE score 74. A-levels: 65 in Year 13: Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 354.

University & college entrance

Over 90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 16% in science and engineering, 14% language-based courses, 62% humanities and arts courses. Typically, 3-5 pupils go on to art foundation courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 subjects (including A-level Latin and Greek, economics, theatre studies, psychology); design technology taught from Years 7-13. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; AS and A-level general studies an additional option. Vocational: Work experience in Year 11. Special provision: Some support for dyslexic and mildly handicapped pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Study visits and language exchange in Year 9. ICT: Integral to all learning; all sixth form take key skills level 3. 196 multimedia workstations in networked computer rooms plus 30 pupil laptops, all with email and internet access; also specialist departmental resources.

The arts

Music: 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, jazz, chamber choir, various chamber groups. Several in county orchestras and national and local youth choirs; a number attend London Saturdays conservatoires; each year some go on to study music at university/college. Annual musicals; musicians regularly tour abroad. Drama and dance: Both offered; improvisation classes. Majority of pupils involved in regular productions. Art and design: On average, 30% take GCSE, 13% A-level art, 10% A-level history of art.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, athletics, rounders compulsory. Optional: yoga, step-aerobics, self-defence, rowing, aqua-aerobics, kick boxing, squash, fitness, sailing, trampolining. Annual gym and dance display. Pupils act as ball-girls at Wimbledon. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; also First Challenge, Team Challenge. Community service optional in lower sixth, mostly working with elderly or young children. Extra-curricular clubs include Mandarin, photography, astronomy, chess, drama, book, technology workshops, engineering days.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except from mid-Year 11. Houses and prefects: Houses and House teams led by elected House Captains, who are part of School Committee, elected by staff and sixth form; committee led by the Head Girl team, who also run the School Council meetings. Religion: Daily non-denominational religious assembly. Social: Debating society, some drama, choir and orchestral participation with other schools. Trips abroad include netball tours, French and German exchanges; skiing, classical and art trips to Italy, Spain, Greece, France; activity courses. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect verbal warning and/or referral slip; 5 referrals leads to after school detention. Strong degree of self-discipline expected; imposed discipline is always in collaboration with students and parents.

Alumni association

Contacted through the school.