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What it's like

Founded in 1887 and moved in 1905 to an urban site near Reading town centre. It has its own playing fields and recently-upgraded buildings, including new art studios and ICT classrooms. 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 prayers and religious instruction in accordance with C of E principles. The school aims to send into the world young people with good standards of behaviour, with a responsible attitude to work and to other people, and with a capacity for enjoying life to the full; this is achieved by giving girls a broad education, strong pastoral care and many enrichment activities. The IB Diploma is now offered as an alternative to A-levels. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Girls are accepted to the senior school on the understanding that they will remain in the school until the end of the sixth form. Music, sport and drama are particularly strong, with events and productions involving all members of the school in some capacity. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award flourishes and some nine or ten expeditions are arranged each year. The proximity of the railway station and an extensive coach network allows pupils to come from a wide area.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 1030 day girls. Junior department 3-11, 280 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.

Scholarships & bursaries

Academic scholarships awarded at age 11 and 16; also music, art, drama, ICT and sports awards offered on entry. 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.

Head & staff

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. Teaching staff: 128 full time, some part time, 20 visiting specialists.

Exam results

GCSE: On average, 100 pupils in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 79 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.1 subjects. First IB results not yet available.

Pupils' destinations

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.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB Diploma. 23 subjects at GCSE, 28 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Pupils choose either the IB Diploma (10% 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. No vocational courses. Special provision: Some help for pupils with mild dyslexia. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level and IB; 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. Both GCSE and A level offered. Co-operation with leading ICT companies to provide girls with industry-standard skills. 450 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

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 choir etc. Many concerts and overseas tours. Drama: Drama offered both as part of the curriculum and extra-curricular. GCSE, AS and A-level, IB and New Era Academy exams may be taken. 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.

Sports & activities

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.

School life

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. Educational cruises to Mediterranean, annual ski trip, visits to France and Spain, exchange with Germany (Hetligenhaus). Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike. Meals self-service, separate sixth-form dining room. School shop.

Discipline

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.

Association of former pupils

Information on ASROGA is on school website.

Former pupils

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).