The special strengths of this school is its ability to combine academic excellence with a non-elitist approach to education. Here outstandingly able girls live and work alongside those of modest intellectual ability, but in an environment of mutual respect. Girls joining the Preparatory Department are guaranteed a place in Senior School. There is an open entry policy to the Sixth Form: the majority of Year 11 girls stay on into a Sixth Form where they are joined by newcomers from Maintained and Independent sector schools at home and abroad.
The wide range of courses at Sixth Form and GCSE Level reflects the wide range of ability in this school. GCSE's in Textiles, Child Development, PE and Keyboarding are offered alongside Latin, three modern languages and all the traditional academic subjects.
In the Sixth Form girls can take three or four 'A' Levels, proceeding along a time-honoured path to academic excellence; others choose two 'A' Level subjects at the same time as strengthening or extending their GCSE base. The Advance GNVQ or Vocational 'A' Levels in Business Studies and Health and Social Care provide an alternative route for those seeking for applied and vocational conclusion to their school careers.
Diversity of talents and aspiration goes hand in hand with a surprising degree of uniformity. Here Sixth Form girls continue to wear uniform - out of choice - because they can identify more closely with a school that has nurtured them and which now they lead.
A strong boarding ethos underpins today's more hybrid school population. Day girls all belong to boarding houses and many local girls choose to become boarders as they move up through the School. Weekly boarders are welcomed as an arrangement which meets the needs of many of today's families. A flexible approach often finds day girls staying overnight or resident for a term or two. Conversely, boarders may choose to live with their families for a time when overseas parents are posted home.
This is a very happy school. It recognises that some people are good at everything but everybody is good at something.
