Founded in 1902 by Mrs Julia Huxley, mother of biologist, Julian, and novelist, Aldous Huxley. It is set in 23 acres of parkland in Surrey and easily accessible by road. The original house was designed by Charles Annesley Voysey, a member of the Arts & Crafts Movement. To this have been added a number of fine new facilities, including a new science centre, library and sports hall. Central to the school's ethos is the belief that pupils flourish in a creative and dynamic environment in which all talents – academic, creative, sporting and other – are recognised and encouraged. Classes are small and very good examination results are achieved. There is an extensive range of clubs, including climbing, glass-making and Russian; the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Young Enterprise and World Challenge are also all popular. A new elite tennis academy has recently been launched.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 415 girls (304 day, 111 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam plus interview and report from current Head. For sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Large range of feeder schools, both state and independent.
Scholarships available at 11, 13 and 16 (academic, art, drama, music and sport), value up to 20% of fees; plus academic exhibitions 15% of fees. Means-tested sixth form bursaries of up to 100% of fees; plus discounts for daughters of old girls and of members of the armed forces . Parents are not expected to buy textbooks, except for some examination texts.
60+% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas (significant proportion of boarders' parents).
Headmistress: Mrs Julie Roseblade, in post from 2006. Previously Deputy Head at St Helen's, Northwood. Teaching staff: 47 full time, 27 part time. Annual turnover 7%.
GCSE: 60 pupils in Year 11: 92% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 8% in 5-7 subjects . A-levels: 23 in upper sixth: 13% passed in 5+ subjects, 22% in 4, 65% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 382.
All sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, some after a gap year. 33% take courses in science and engineering, 24% in humanities, 23% in management, accountancy and maths, 20% in art and design.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Pupils take 4 or 5 subjects at AS-level, 3-5 at A-level; the Extended Project is also offered. On average, 55% take arts/humanities A-levels; 45% both arts/humanities and science. Vocational: Work experience available in UK and in Europe. Also touch-typing in first year. Special provision: Specialist teacher for dyslexic pupils and for EAL (one-to-one or in small groups). Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. German, Chinese, Arabic and Russian by arrangement. ICT: Taught across the curriculum and offered at GCSE and A-level. Networked computers (with email, internet and skype) in boarding houses, 2 ICT rooms, library and classrooms; some pupils have their own laptops.
Music: 60+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 11 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, flute groups, strings, chamber orchestra, rock bands, jazz group, Glee Club and ensembles. Solo singers and chamber choirs regularly successful at Woking and Godalming Festivals. Drama and dance: GCSE and A-level drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Dance forms part of PE curriculum. Many pupils involved in 2 annual school productions, in house competitions and external productions. More than 50% distinctions for LAMDA. Art and design: Art, photography and textiles offered at GCSE and A-level. Pottery, history of art and sculpture also offered. Annual art exhibition and house art competition.
Sport: Hockey, netball, cross country, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, dance, cross country, athletics, rounders compulsory. Optional: badminton, volleyball, basketball, squash, trampolining, table tennis, golf, football, archery, fencing, aerobics, riding. Community Sports Leadership Awards may be taken. County hockey, tennis, cross-country and athletics representatives. Tennis academy for talented players aiming to play at national and international level. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Over 40 clubs, including radio club, debating, foreign films, chess, dance, greenpower engineering, climbing, glass-making, gymnastics, photography, Russian, trampolining.
Uniform: School uniform worn in first 4 years; black suits in fifth form; no uniform in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl selected by the Head; prefects elected by ballot of sixth form and staff. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Skiing holidays, activity camps and exchanges with schools in France, Spain and Australia. Variety of activities with other schools, socials with eg Harrow, Youth Rotary with local schools etc. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service (includes special diets and vegetarian). School shop and tuck shop.
Code of Conduct agreed by pupils and staff. Systems of rewards and punishments, but positive ethos encourages mutual respect and responsibility. No form of substance abuse tolerated.
Full or weekly boarding, plus flexi-boarding up to 2 nights/week available for juniors (aged 11−13). Juniors share, others have single rooms; separate sixth-form house with single rooms, many ensuite. 2 exeats a term; programme of activities on other weekends.
Is run by Samantha Bushell, Alumnae Co-ordinator: tel 01483 813 459, email sbushell@priorsfieldschool.com
Thetis Blacker (singer and artist); Enid Bagnold (playwright); Princess Chula of Thailand; Victoria Hamilton (actress); Baroness (Mary) Warnock (philosopher); Margaret Yorke (crime writer).
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