Founded in 1887 and moved in 1905 to a site within easy walking distance from Reading town centre. It has its own playing fields and recently-upgraded buildings, including a new art and humanities building. The junior school and early years centre are on their own sites nearby. It is a C of E school and, while girls of all faiths or none are accepted, all join in morning assemblies. The IB Diploma is now offered as an alternative to A-levels. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music, sport and drama are particularly strong, with events and productions involving many members of the school in some capacity. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award flourishes and there is a range of overseas trips and extra-curricular clubs.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 1052 day girls. Junior department 3-11, 302 girls. Senior school 11-18, 750 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 6-11, 13 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth-form entry, at least 7 GCSEs at grade B, including sixth-form subjects. Pupils drawn from large number of state and independent schools.
Academic scholarships awarded at age 11 and 16; also music, art, drama, ICT and sports awards offered on entry; scholarships recognise talent rather than provide major financial awards. Means-tested bursaries available up to 100% of fees (including to supplement a scholarship if necessary). Parents not expected to buy textbooks. Only extras are individual music and speech and drama.
Headmistress: Mrs Barbara E Stanley, appointed 2002. Educated at Glenlola Collegiate School, Co Down, and at universities of Belfast and Leicester. Previously Principal at Alexandra College, Dublin, Headmistress of Bedford High, Deputy Headmistress of Channing, Head of Geography at St Bernard's Convent, and held other posts at Forest School, Devizes School and Glenlola Collegiate School. Also on Church council and is a school governor; member and speaker, Corrymeela Community (N Ireland Reconciliation Community); executive member, NI branch of Assistant Masters' and Mistress's Association (AMMA) and representative on NI Council for Educational Research. Head of Junior School, Mrs Carol Ryninks. Teaching staff: 140 plus 24 visiting staff.
GCSE: On average, 109 pupils in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 83 in upper sixth. 85% take AS/A-levels, passing an average of 3.1 subjects; 15% take the IB, gaining a mean of 38 IB points.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 18% take courses in medical professions, 30% in maths, science and engineering, 38% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in expressive arts eg art, drama, theatre and textiles, 6% in business management.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB Diploma. 23 subjects at GCSE, 28 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Pupils choose either the IB Diploma (15% of year group) or AS and A-levels. Key skills are compulsory, some taught separately, some incorporated into A and AS-levels. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some help for pupils with mild dyslexia. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level and IB, plus IB Italian; French compulsory from age 11, further language from age 12. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and incorporated across curriculum; aim is for all girls to use industry-standard software.
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, concert band, jazz band, brass ensemble, saxophone group, chamber choir, flute ensemble etc. Annual overseas music tour. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Majority of pupils involved in school and other productions; recently Kiss Me Kate, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Animal Farm. Art and design: On average, 28 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Pottery, food technology and textiles offered.
Sport: Hockey, netball, gymnastics, dance, athletics tennis, rounders, swimming compulsory. Options: Synchro swimming, diving, keep fit, aerobics, golf, judo, fencing, cricket. Teams successful in regional competitions. GCSE and A-level may be taken. Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Extensive programme of clubs including music, sports, drama, debating, sailing, public speaking, chess, art, science, Christian Union, Italian, dance.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. 2 head girls, prefects, house captains elected by the school. Sixth-form council. Religion: Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Debating, sixth-form management conference joint with other schools, Young Enterprise. Annual ski trip, visits to France and Spain, exchange with Germany. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike. Meals self-service, separate sixth-form dining room. School shop.
Good pastoral care and clear disciplinary procedures. Heads of year and school nurse are part of the pastoral team that ensures any girl's needs are handled sensitively.
Information on ASROGA is on school website or email development@theabbey.co.uk.
Baroness (Heather) Brigstocke (High Mistress of St Paul's Girls' School); Debby Reynolds (former UK Chief Veterinary Officer); Jenni Falconer, Kate Humble and Miranda Krestovnikoff (TV presenters); Claire Taylor (English cricketer); Elizabeth Taylor (author).
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