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What it's like

Founded in 1885, it occupies a semi-rural single site in 55 acres of very pleasant gardens and grounds. The buildings are well designed and boarding accommodation very comfortable. There are very good modern facilities, including a purpose-built science centre, music school, sports centre and a new performing arts centre. It is owned and managed by a Roman Catholic charitable trust with lay governors and trustees; one of the staff is a Sister of the Congregation of Jesus. Almost all pupils are Catholics and the spiritual development of the girls is an essential part of school life. Academically, the standards are high and examination results are excellent. An impressive array of European languages is offered. Music is very strong, as are the drama and art departments. A wide range of games, sports and extra-curricular activities. There is commitment to local community schemes and a promising record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Young Enterprise Scheme and CREST awards.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 379 girls (10 day, 369 boarding). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 good GCSEs (at least grade B in sixth-form subjects) plus satisfactory school report and interview. Roman Catholic pupils preferred.

Scholarships & bursaries

8 pa scholarships, value free music tuition to 5% fees: 4 academic (2 at 11, 1 each at 13 and 16) plus others for music, art, and sixth form science. Parents expected to buy textbooks in sixth form; £300 maximum extras. New pupils are asked to join school laptop scheme.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Mary Breen, in post since 1999. Educated at universities of Exeter and Manchester (physics). Previously Head of Physics at Eton. Teaching staff: 90 full time, 11 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 60 pupils in Year 11, 100% gaining grade C or above in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 60 in upper sixth, 25% passing in 4+ subjects, 75% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score achieved of 366.

Pupils' destinations

100% of sixth form leavers go on to degree courses (35% after a gap year), 13% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 13% in science and engineering, 73% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in art and design, 7% in modern languages.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22-24 examination subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, classical Greek, Latin, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level (French compulsory from age 11 to GCSE). Other languages are catered for, eg Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Modern Greek. Purpose-built language faculty building with integrated IT, satellite links and language labs. Talks from MEP. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and applied across the curriculum (Year 10 onwards). 100+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with filtered email and internet access. Combination of wired and wireless connections throughout school. School laptop scheme; almost all pupils have own laptops.

The arts

Music: Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestra, choirs, jazz band, early music ensemble, various chamber ensembles, pop band. Members in National Youth Choir; members of Junior RA. Choir tour to eg Vienna. Musical appreciation group to concerts and opera in London. Drama and dance: Both offered. A-level drama, Trinity Guildhall exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 6 AS-level, 10 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles and photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Gym, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, rounders, athletics, trampolining, cross-country, fencing. Additional options: squash, golf, rifle shooting, ballet, tap, jazz dancing, aerobics, canoeing, body-conditioning and yoga. Tennis team successful nationally (HSBC championship) and county level; netball and hockey district champions (various age groups). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (good record of achievement). Community service compulsory for 1 year at age 16/17. Regular junior and senior debates. Up to 30 clubs and societies, including debating, art, CREST, theatre, human rights, music, wine-tasting, Young Enterprise, creative writing, photography, candlemaking, bridge, chess, backstage, computer, public speaking, drama, cooking, philosophy.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. House and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head of house and house prefects - mixture of appointment by Head and election by school. Religion: Compulsory worship in accordance with requirements of Roman Catholic Church. Social: Regular debates, sports events, public speaking competitions, theatrical performances with other schools; choral concerts in London. Organised trips abroad include skiing; A-level history of art (Italy, France, New York); classics (Greece), language trips (France, Germany), music (Rome, Vienna), politics/economics (Washington). Juniors may keep small pets. Meals self-service (including vegetarian options). No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect their tutor to be informed (on report on second occasion; detention on third). Girls in Years 7-11 caught smoking will normally be suspended; any girl caught taking illicit drugs on the premises may expect immediate expulsion.

Boarding

Upper sixth have single study bedrooms in own purpose-built courtyard of six houses. Most others have single or double study bedroom; 10% are in dormitories of 6+. Five competitive houses of 60 girls divided by age. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. 2-3 termly exeats. Visits to local town allowed, with permission of head of house.

Association of former pupils

Ascot Alumnae Association, c/o Mrs C Leneghan at the school.

Former pupils

Baroness (Sarah) Hogg (Chairman of 3i, BBC Governor); Marina Warner, Antonia Fraser (authors); Princess Caroline of Monaco; Katherine Bergen (The Times); Lady Celestria Hales ( 'Jennifer's Diary', Harpers and Queen); Lucy Nelson (founder, Tommy's Campaign); Annoushka Ducas (founder of Links of London); Olga Polizzi (hotelier); Katherine Garrett-Cox (Chief Investment Office, Asset Management).