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What it's like

Founded in 1999 from the merger of two long established schools, Mount Carmel School (founded in 1945) and St Hilary's (1876). It is in Alderley Edge, a village 15 miles south of Manchester and easily accessible. Extensive redevelopment on the Mount Carmel site has provided a performing arts theatre, sports hall, music rooms, science laboratories and a multi-media centre. Its aim is to provide a well-balanced education which celebrates achievement in all aspects of school life, from nursery to sixth form. Its approach is based on respect for hard work, the development of the whole person and good discipline. Examination results are good. Music and drama are well-supported.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 600 day girls. Senior department 11-18, 365 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 5 and 11. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 25% senior intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

Several scholarships awarded at 11: academic, music, sport. Some income-linked bursaries.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Kathy Mills, in post from 1999. Educated at University of Wales. Previously Headmistress of Mount Carmel.

Exam results

GCSE: On average, 52 pupils in Year 11, 100% gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 44 in upper sixth, passing on average 3.5 subjects.

Pupils' destinations

90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; in addition, all take general studies AS and A-level. 60% take science A-levels; 40% arts and humanities. Key skills incorporated into general studies. Vocational: Work experience compulsory in Year 10. Special provision: Support services for pupils with dyslexia. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Spain and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg internet links with schools in France and Germany. 60 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 42% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 4 choirs, 2 orchestras, jazz band, ensembles including string, brass and woodwind groups. Some pupils in local youth orchestras. Drama: Drama GCSE and performing arts AS and A-level offered. ESB exams may be taken. Many involved in school productions, all in house and other productions. Art and design: On average, 18 take GCSE, 8 AS/A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: Tennis, rounders, hockey, athletics, netball, gymnastics, swimming, dance, cross-country, orienteering, badminton, volleyball, fitness. Sixth form only: football, aerobics and breakaway skills. Activities: Community service optional in senior school. Many clubs, eg dance, public-speaking, poetry, drama, Green Team, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Young Enterprise.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects appointed by Headmistress and staff. Religion: Compulsory assembly. Separate services for Catholics and Anglicans with all special days observed. Social: Competitions including public-speaking with local schools. Annual exchanges with schools in Germany and France, Spanish trip, ski trips, hockey trip, theatre and museum trips abroad.

Discipline

Pupils expected to adhere to school code of conduct and moral standards. Failure to produce homework would result in an order mark, persistent failure to detention. Serious discipline problems rare (punishment at Headmistress's discretion).