In The Press
TownvsGown
From The Saturday Telegraph Sat 29 Nov, 2008
Number of pupils: 950 including 250 in the junior school; 90 boarders; all girls, except for 11 boys in the sixth-form college. Age range: 3-18, including 150 in the sixth-form college. Academic emphasis: The new International Baccalaureate is the main focus as it offers a holistic approach to learning and an exciting alternative to conventional A-levels. The science facilities are first-class - an impressive 15% of girls go on to study medicine - while PE and psychology are also popular A-level choices. Pilot options as AS-level include critical thinking. Extra-curricular: You can hardly fail to be impressed by the quality of the artwork dotted around the school corridors. Drama is also taken seriously here, with imaginatively staged productions and a high level of pupil involvement. For girls who excell at sport, there is a chance to get involved with Bath University sports teams at an early age. League table standing: Always one of the top performers in the West Country. This year, more than 97% of girls got five or more good GCSEs. Head: Fiftysomething James Graham-Brown, in post since 2000, is something of a Renaissance man - an ex-country cricketer who is also a successful playwright. He wants the school to be "purposeful, happy and relevant". Fees: £2966 per term for day pupils; £5815 for boarders. Uniform: Blue pullovers and check skirts. Sixth-formers do their own thing, but tend to dress pretty smartly. What they think of Beechen Cliff: They enjoy an unusually cordial replationship with it. Many of the girls have brothers there and the two schools collaborate in a number of areas. Notable alumnae: Best known is Helen Rollason, the late BBC sports presenter. Perfect for: Pupils who enjoy civilised surroundings, a friendly ambience and the chance to take on new challenges. Not go good for: Drifters, academic slowcoaches or girls who hanker for a co-ed environment.
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