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What it's like

Founded in 1901, it moved to its present site in 1949. The main building is a huge and magnificent country house built in 1758 in 65 acres of splendid parkland. A Church of England foundation, its pupils come from a wide geographic background. It has many of the advantages of a small school, with friendly, happy, well-motivated girls. New facilities include an indoor swimming pool, chapel and theatre. There is a good staff:pupil ratio of 1:7. It is strong academically and examination results are very good. There is a full-time special needs department. A notable feature is the big parental involvement in many areas of school life (eg organisation, cultural, work experience etc). It is strong in music, drama and art. There is a wide range of sports, games in which high standards are achieved. It has a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Prince's Trust Scheme. There are stables for 25 horses on campus and some girls bring their own ponies.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 300 girls (28 day, 272 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, 8 GCSE passes, at least 2 at grade A, 3 grade B (including sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Feeder schools include Minster School, Bramcote, Malsis, Brackenfield, Terrington Hall, Mowden Hall, St Mary's Melrose, Belhaven Hill, Beeston Hall, Ranby House, S. Anselm's, Belmont Grosvenor, The Froebelian School.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships available on entry (academic, art, dance, drama, music, sport), value 10% of fees; some 10% of girls hold a scholarship. Means-tested bursaries available at all levels and may be awarded in addition to scholarships.

Parents

20+% live within 30 miles, up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Dr Paul Silverwood in post from 2009. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Wakefield, and at the universities of Cambridge (natural sciences) and Manchester (nuclear chemistry). Previously Assistant Head & Director of Studies at Benenden. Teaching staff: 44 full time, 22 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 59 in fifth, 96% gaining grade C or above in 7+ subjects. A-levels: 64 in upper sixth.

Pupils' destinations

All sixth-form leavers typically go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 50% in arts, humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design, 5% in other vocational subjects.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take a course in key skills. Vocational: City and Guilds cookery course available. Special provision: Full-time special needs department. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also Arabic. Over 60% take GCSE in more than 1 language. Regular exchanges (France). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg graphs and charts in maths, spreadsheets for science and economics). 88 computers for pupil use (15 hours a day), majority networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 16+ musical groups including 3 orchestras, 3 bands, vocal, choral groups, rock band etc. Drama and dance: Both offered; GCSE and A-level drama may be taken. Girls regularly in National Youth Theatre; recently leavers have gone on to study dance at Northern Ballet School and Laban Centre. Majority of pupils involved in school and other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles offered. Pupils recently accepted at Chelsea and Central Saint Martin's.

Sports & activities

Sport: Lacrosse, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, athletics, gym, rounders compulsory. Optional: squash, badminton, golf, tennis, fencing, riding. Sixth form only: aerobics. BAGA, BHS, RLSS exams may be taken. International, regional and county representatives at lacrosse, hockey, netball and athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service. Up to 15 clubs, eg chess, modern studies, choral, bridge, film.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl and heads of houses - based on application and then appointed by the Headmaster. School Council. Religion: Church of England but all denominations welcome. Compulsory worship. Social: Charities, debates, social events, musical events (to which local village invited). Organised trips abroad include skiing, music, history of art and World Challenge (eg to Indonesia). Pupils allowed to bring own bike/horse to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Alcohol allowed only in sixth form.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once may expect a verbal reprimand; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on school premises could expect expulsion (zero tolerance drugs policy). Few petty rules but clear restrictions on smoking, drinking and drugs.

Boarding

Upper sixth have own study bedroom, lower sixth share with one other. Houses of approx 60; same as competitive houses but girls live in year groups. Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. 1-2 weekend and one half-term exeat each term. Visits to local town allowed from 13 upwards.

Association of former pupils

Old Margaretian Association, is run c/o the school.

Former pupils

The Hon Justice Mrs Eleanor King; Winifred Holtby (novelist and journalist); Joan Hall (MP); Ann Jellicoe (writer); Dorothy Hutton (RA); Elizabeth Poston (musician); Sarah Connolly (mezzo soprano).