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What it's like

Founded in 1884, the school moved to its present location in 1931 where it occupies an attractive 45 acre site on the outskirts of Winchester, overlooking open countryside. Recent improvements have created modern facilities that include both a performing arts centre and a library, careers and ICT facility. There are extensive playing fields, a sports hall and a 25m swimming pool. The junior school is on the same site. The school is a Church of England foundation with close ties to the cathedral and, while pupils of other denominations are welcome, all are expected to attend regular worship. Academic results are high, but the school's aim is to provide pupils with a rounded education. Accordingly music, drama, art and technology are all strong, as is sport in which there is regular representation at county, regional and national levels. There is a tradition of service to the community through initiatives such as fund-raising for charities and local community work. There is also a good range of activities on offer, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 474 girls (252 day, 222 boarding). Entrance: Main entry age 11; some at 13 and 16. Common Entrance used; own exam for entry at 12, 16 and those who miss CE. No special skills or religious requirements. Small state-school entry (5-10%); 25+% of senior entry from own junior school, St Swithun's Junior.

Scholarships & bursaries

Academic and music scholarships awarded at 11, 13 and 16: very few academic scholarships awarded on merit alone, up to 25% of fees; most academic and all music scholarships are means-tested, up to 100% of fees. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100% of fees available for girls who meet the school's entrance criteria.

Parents

Over 30% live within 30 miles; under 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Ms Jane Gandee, in post from 2010. Educated at Presdales School, Hertfordshire, and Cambridge University (French and Spanish). Previously Director of Studies at City of London School for Girls. Teaching staff: 54 full time, 25 part time. Average annual turnover 6%. Average age 43.

Exam results

GCSE: 76 pupils in upper fifth, 100% gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A levels: 57 in upper sixth, 99% passing in 4+ subjects with an average final point score of 499.

Pupils' destinations

98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (35% after a gap year), 13% to Oxbridge. 12% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 13% in science and engineering, 55% in humanities and social sciences (including 4% in languages), 5% in art and design, 13% other vocational subjects (such as law, nursing, physiotherapy, architecture).

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects offered; 24 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level. Strong general studies programme and all pupils take A-level. 17% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 48% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. Vocational: Work experience available for upper fifth. Special provision: Specialist staff for dyslexia and teaching EAL. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (French and German compulsory for 3 years). Partner school in Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 140 computers for pupil use (including in boarding houses), all networked and with email and internet access. Use of own laptops popular.

The arts

Music: 75% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 25 musical groups including the symphony orchestra, 2 choirs, senior and junior string ensembles, clarinet group, jazz band, wind bands and numerous chamber groups. Choir sings regularly in Winchester Cathedral and undertakes foreign concert tours; many girls in Hampshire County Orchestra and other county ensembles. Drama: Drama offered throughout the school; GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered and LAMDA and New Era exams can be taken. Many girls involved in school/house productions. Art and design: 30-45 take GCSE, 12 take A level. Painting and drawing, design, CAD, textiles, design & technology, ceramics, photography, silk screen, dry point etching, paper-making and mono-printing also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Lacrosse, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, tennis, athletics, rounders, gymnastics, dance compulsory. Optional: judo, fencing, karate, self-defence, cross-country, football, hockey, aerobics, squash, diving, trampolining. RLSS exams may be taken. Individual and team representation at county, regional and national levels, particularly in lacrosse; regional tennis winners at senior and U15 level. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; first aid and life-saving courses. Up to 15 clubs plus sixth-form societies, eg successsful engineers club, cookery, self-defence, Amnesty International, public speaking and Young Enterprise; numerous activities eg sailing, skiing, theatre and restaurant trips.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and house prefects – appointed by the Head and teaching staff. School council. Religion: Church of England; attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Joint music, drama, dances and societies with Winchester College. European visits (France, Germany), skiing trips, classics trips (to areas such as Provence), choir tour (eg Venice, Czech Republic). Upper sixth day girls may bring own car. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect advice on becoming more organised; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would expect expulsion.

Boarding

Pupils aged 15+ in own study-bedrooms; 11-year-olds in dormitories of up to 8; others in cubicles. 6 houses of 28-52. Predominantly weekly boarding; flexible weekend arrangements. 2 resident RGNs. Pupils may cook their own snacks. Visits to town allowed.

Association of former pupils

is run within the school by the Association Manager.

Former pupils

Baroness (Mary) Warnock (philosopher); Vivienne Parry (writer and broadcaster); Fiona Glover (journalist); Emma Chambers (actress).