Add to clipboard

What it's like

Founded in 1846, it is the only all-through girls' schools in the north east of Scotland. It occupies a pleasant landscaped site in the west end of Aberdeen, based on two large 19th-century buildings with other recent additions. Playing fields are two miles away. An integrated education is provided from nursery to the sixth year. A school with a family atmosphere, small enough to care about the individual but large enough to provide a full and varied curriculum. Examination results are very good and girls are prepared well to play their part in society. They are encouraged to aim high, assume responsibility and have fun whilst showing courtesy and self-discipline. There are lively music, drama and art departments. A good range of sports is offered and high standards are achieved. A wide variety of extra-curricular activities is offered and debating is a particular strength.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 400 day pupils. Senior department 12-18, 198 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 10, 11, 12. Admission to senior department by own entrance test and interview; trial day for entry to sixth year. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 25% senior intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

Some means-tested bursaries available: up to 100% of fees, for pupils entering aged 10, 11 or 12; up to 50% of fees if entering aged 16 or 17. Parents are expected to buy some textbooks.

Head & staff

Head Mistress: Mrs Anne Everest, in post from 2007. Educated at Hull University (Latin and Greek). Previously Deputy Head at Robert Gordon College.

Exam results

S-grade: On average, 40 pupils in fourth year, all passing 8 subjects. Highers: 33 in fifth year, most passing in 5 subjects. Advanced highers: 30 in sixth year, almost all taking 3 Advanced Highers.

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 43% take courses in science and engineering, 27% in humanities and social sciences, 13% in business subjects, 17% in other vocational subjects eg music, hotel management.

Curriculum

S-grades, Intermediate, Highers and Advanced Highers. 17 subjects offered. Vocational: Work experience compulsory; also offers RSA level 1 and 2 word processing and modules in PE and food technology. Special provision: Additional support (2 part-time staff). Dyslexic testing available and exam provision made. Languages: French (compulsory from age 5), Latin (from age 11), and German (from 12); all offered at S-grade, Higher and Advanced Higher; also Italian at Higher in sixth. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg material from internet for all subjects). 100 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 60% of pupils learn one or more musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, orchestras, band, woodwind and brass ensembles. Pupils have played with the Scottish Children's Orchestra, Scottish National Repertoire Orchestra, regularly selected for regional orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered (including Highland dancing, ballet). S-grade and Higher drama. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Recent productions include Oklahoma!, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz; girls regularly act with local dramatic companies and act and dance with visiting theatre. Art and design: On average, 10 take S-grade, 6 Higher, 2 Advanced Higher. Pupils' work regularly selected for art exhibitions.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, badminton, swimming compulsory. Optional: volleyball, netball, squash, skiing, basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, horse riding and curling. RLSS exams may be taken. Pupils selected for district hockey teams and national trials; successes at Scottish Schools' Championship in swimming and athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Pupils help with Riding for the Disabled and with handicapped children. Up to 30 clubs, eg debating/public-speaking, gym, Young Enterprise, Young Investigators, Scottish country dancing, choi kwang do, Scripture Union, computer, maths, chess.

School life

Uniform: Uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for sport. Prefects, head girl, senior prefect and house captains elected by the senior pupils and staff. Pupil Council. Religion: Compulsory attendance at daily inter-denominational assembly. Social: Regular debating, public-speaking and sporting fixtures held with local schools; also occasional quiz competitions; instrumentalists participate with other Grampian schools. Recent trips to USA, Italy, France and annual Australian exchange visits; links with other St Margaret's schools worldwide. Pupils allowed to drive own car to school (but not park in grounds). Packed lunch or school lunch. Uniform and book sales.