Founded in 1896, it is near the centre of High Wycombe. The main building is a very large mansion in 160 acres of fine grounds. Exceptionally good modern facilities and comfortable boarding accommodation are provided; a new multi-purpose sports centre recently opened. The teacher:pupil ratio is about 1:7 and academic standards are extremely high; examination results are excellent. A very high proportion of girls goes on to Oxbridge. It is a Church of England school with its own chapel and all pupils are required to attend daily prayers and a Sunday service. A fine range of sports, games and activities is available and standards are high, particularly in lacrosse; there are many pupils in county teams and a number of international lacrosse players. The school is strong in music, art and drama. Sixth formers take part in Young Enterprise; they also help in the local community and work with pupils from a local comprehensive school, with which the school has a partnership. There is an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 547 girls (520 boarding, 27 day). Entrance:à Main entry ages 11 and 13; some at 16. Common Entrance used. For sixth-form entry, own exam, interview and 8 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A in sixth-form subjects). Special skills are always of interest; no religious requirements. Very small state school entry. Feeder schools include Maltman's Green, High March and a range of London day prep schools at 11; Godstowe, The Dragon, Ashdown House, Milbourne Lodge and other prep schools throughout the UK at 13.

A number of academic and music scholarships and exhibitions each year for entrants at 11, 13 and 16. Academic awards valued at 1500 to 15% of fees; music awards from free tuition on 1 instrument to 10% fees and tuition on 2 instruments; all may be increased with means-tested bursaries. Parents expected to buy some textbooks.

Headmistress: Mrs Pauline Davies, in post since 1998. Educated at Guildford County Grammar School and Manchester University (botany and zoology). Previously Headmistress at Croydon High, Deputy Head at King Edward VI School, Chelmsford, and Head of Biology at Urmston Girls' Grammar School. Teaching staff: 74 full time, 17 part time (plus peripatetic staff).

GCSE: 89 pupils in upper fifth, all of whom gained grade B or above in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 72. A-levels: 86 in upper sixth: all passed in 3+ subjects (98+% with an A or B grade). Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 497 (548 including general studies).

All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (some after a gap year). They study a wide range of courses at top UK and American universities, including 25% to Oxbridge.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 subjects at GCSE, 25 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (many take a mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level. About 25% take science A-levels; 33% languages/humanities; 42% combinations. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to A-level. Significant number take Mandarin (taught privately). Regular exchanges and visits to Spain, France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg making web pages in language lessons, modelling in maths, spreadsheets in science, DTP for newspapers and leaflets in English). Most sixth formers take EDCL modules. 100 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with Email and internet access; computers in 3 computer rooms, library, in subject areas and boarding houses; voluntary lap top scheme.

Music: Over 70% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments and instrumental exams are offered. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, string and wind ensembles, clarinet groups, jazz groups, chamber groups, choral society. Chamber groups often reach finals of National Chamber competition; choir tours every 2 years. Annual choral concert with Eton. Drama: In curriculum in first two years and offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; private lessons lead to Guildhall and LAMDA examinations. Annual productions in Years 9-12. Girls often audition for National Youth Theatre and opt for drama degrees. Art and design: GCSE art, A-level art and history of art are popular options.

Sport: Lacrosse, tennis, netball, cross-country, gymnastics, swimming, athletics, health-related fitness, squash, dance. Optional: fencing, trampolining, extra tennis, squash, karate, hockey, gym, ballet, dance, tap dancing, aerobics, self-defence, judo, rock climbing, kick-boxing, golf, football, rifle shooting, riding, skiing, yoga, pilates, sailing, rowing. Sixth form and upper fifth only: fitness suite, volleyball, basketball. RLSS exams may be taken. AS and A-level PE offered. School regularly reaches national finals in lacrosse, gymnastics, squash and tennis; each year a number of girls compete at county, national and international level in a range of sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service compulsory for 2 terms in lower sixth. Variety of clubs eg public speaking, philosophy, classical, fine arts, wine, science.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the upper sixth. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, heads of house and house prefects, chosen from lower sixth. All years represented on school council. Religion: Church of England worship is compulsory. Social: Caledonian Society, choral group, debating society, public-speaking and dining clubs with boys' schools. Annual choir trip to Europe (eg Hungary, Italy and France), cultural visits.

Rt Hon Lady Justice Butler-Sloss; Lady Elspeth Howe; Penelope Fitzgerald; Sally Phillips; Rachel Stirling.