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What it's like

Founded in 1859, it is one of the longest established girls' schools in the British Isles. Since 1972 it has occupied its present site at Cranmore Park in beautiful grounds in a secluded and quiet residential area in south Belfast. The school operates on two campuses 4 minutes' walk apart. The purpose-built buildings are modern and compact and very well equipped. Drumglass House, an elegant Victorian building, houses the boarders. There are excellent sports and games facilities in the grounds. An inter-denominational school, it works a selective system and academic standards are high. Examinations results are very good. Strong in music - an award-winning senior choir - and an active drama department. A very good range of sports and games (a large number of regional and national representatives) and an equally good range of extra-curricular activities. There is a big commitment to local community services. The college has a very good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1006 girls (960 day, 46 boarding). Senior department 11-18; 865 girls. 30% are children of former pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages, 4, 11 and 16. School looks for the academic ability to benefit from grammar school education; for sixth-form entry, at least 7 GCSE subjects including maths and English (grade B in sixth-form subjects).

Scholarships & bursaries

No tuition fee is payable for pupils whose parents are EU nationals resident in Northern Ireland.

Parents

60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmistress: Ms Patricia Slevin, in post from 2005. Educated at St Patrick's Girls' Academy, Dungannon, and Queen's University Belfast (languages and English). Previously Vice-Principal at the school. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 35.

Exam results

GCSE: On average, 130 pupils in upper fifth: 87% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 9% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 100 in upper sixth: 83% pass in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers approx 330.

Pupils' destinations

90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 2% to Oxbridge. 45% take courses in science and engineering, 55% in humanities and social sciences. Others typically go straight on to careers or non-degree courses eg HND, art foundation courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 A-level subjects (including health and social care, classical civilisation, history of art). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (at least one contrasting), 3 at A-level, as well as an enrichment programme. 17% take science A-levels; 63% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Year 13 may also study spoken Japanese or take part in the Young Enterprise Scheme. Vocational: RSA word processing (stages 1 and 2); certificate in business language competence (Japanese). Work experience required of all lower sixth pupils. Languages: French, German, Italian and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. European studies offered to sixth form through language, industry and trade programme (as part of NI Department of Education European Studies Project). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg internet as research tool). 30% of sixth form take ICT key skills Level 3 exam. 250+ computers (access 8 hours a day), many networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 15% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including choirs, recorder ensembles, orchestras, brass band, string quartet, flute, guitar, Irish traditional, African drumming, woodwind ensembles. Choirs enter music festivals, broadcasts for radio and TV and daily performances in the local community; many pupils in City and Belfast Youth Orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and regional competitions; joint annual musical with boys from Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, stage design, computer-aided design, calligraphy, creative embroidery and 3-dimensional construction also offered. A number of pupils accepted to art college each year, including Central Saint Martin's.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, dance, athletics, gymnastics, swimming compulsory. Sixth-form options: basketball, volleyball, squash, football, rugby, badminton, table tennis, water polo, rounders, golf, life saving, water volleyball, aqua aerobic, step aerobics; also self-defence, climbing, ice skating, skiing, ten-pin bowling, horse riding. GCSE PE exams may be taken. Many pupils represent the province and country in a variety of different sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, eg chess, BAYS, creative writing, technology, martial arts, Scripture Union, first aid, computer literacy, drama, F1 team, rocketry club.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Head girl, deputies and prefects elected by sixth form, confirmed by staff. School councils (junior, middle and senior). Religion: Compulsory non-denominational assembly unless parents request otherwise. Social: Sport, debates, conferences, quizzes, lectures, concerts, plays with other schools. Regular organised trips abroad (France, Germany, Spain, Italy); exchange visits with Irish Republic and other European countries. Meals formal in boarding house, self-service in school dining hall.

Discipline

A high standard of self-discipline is expected and insisted on. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and a requirement to produce work next day; anyone guilty of conduct harmful to herself or to others would receive warning of dangers and counselling, and contact would be made with parents. In extreme cases, parents would be asked to remove the pupil from the school, at least until the problem was resolved.

Boarding

60% have own cubicle, 40% are in dormitories of 2-5. 1 boarding house. Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. Some weekly boarders. Approved visits to city centre allowed including theatre and cultural events; seniors indirectly supervised at weekends; juniors supervised.

Association of former pupils

is run by Hon Secretary, c/o the school

Former pupils

Helen Waddell; local TV personalities; BBC producers, scientists, doctors and engineers.