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What it's like

Founded in 1878 by the governors of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, it occupies an extensive and agreeable site near the centre of Wakefield. The Georgian house in which it began has been adapted and extended over the years and now has excellent facilities; the creative arts centre, includes a drama studio, DT labs, textile workshops and recording studio. A few minutes' walk away are well-equipped playing fields. The junior school (together with nursery) is nearby and enjoys fine grounds and buildings. Girls follow a broad curriculum which keeps a wide range of options open until A-level; some joint teaching with its brother school, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, at sixth-form level increases pupil choice and protects minority subjects. Academic standards are high and examination results are very good. Considerable strength in music and drama in which there are joint activities with its brother school. A wide range of sports and games (including football, golf and orienteering) and there are representatives at county, regional and national levels. A plentiful variety of clubs and societies.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 720 day girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, GCSE score of 54 and interview. State school entry, 60% main senior intake (plus 50% new entrants to sixth form). Many pupils from own junior school (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, WGHS Junior School, 2 St John's Square, Wakefield WF1 2QX, tel 01924 374577, email admissions@wghsjs.org.uk).

Scholarships & bursaries

Foundation Awards awarded at age 11 and 16, in cases where parental income is under £40,000 pa; value up to a maximum of 25% of fees (25%, 50% or 75% in sixth form). Also Ogden Trust bursary awarded at age 11 and a sixth-form science scholarship (both up to 100% of fees).

Head & staff

Headmistress: Mrs Gillian Wallwork, in post from 2009. Educated at Manchester University (language and literature).

Exam results

GCSE: 105 pupils in upper fifth, 99% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects (40% with straight A grades). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.9 subjects.

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (13% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. A few typically go on to art foundation courses, management schemes, armed forces.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 AS/A-level subjects offered, including general studies. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also French and German Institute of Linguists. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and used across the curriculum, eg word processing, spreadsheets in maths, databases and graphical representations in science, CD-Rom in history. Pupils take GCSE short course, Clait in lower sixth. 120 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 16 musical groups including swing band, choirs, concert band. Drama and dance: Both offered. Some pupils are involved in school and other productions. Art and design: On average, 50+ take GCSE, 16 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, cricket compulsory. Optional: lacrosse, swimming, golf, self-defence, squash, football, orienteering, aerobics. Sixth form only: CSLA course, fencing, outdoor activities, sailing, climbing. BAGA and fencing exams may be taken. International representatives in netball and athletics; regular regional reps in hockey, netball, athletics and tennis; county reps in hockey, indoor hockey, netball, athletics, tennis and cricket. Sports tours. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 70 clubs, eg drama, literary and debating, geography, classics, chess, gym, dance.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Senior prefects and head girl elected by the school. Religion: Non-denominational. All girls are expected to attend morning assembly, whatever their religion. Social: Music and dramatic productions with Queen Elizabeth Grammar School; participation with local state schools. Adventure holidays and skiing trips; exchanges with Angoulême, Lille, Hanover, Gerona; sports tours (eg hockey and netball to Australia and New Zealand). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises, expulsion.

Former pupils

Dame Barbara Hepworth (artist), Baroness (Usha) Prashar (chairman of Judicial Appointments Commission), Katherine Kelly (actress), Helen Fielding (author, Bridget Jones' Diary).