►►►其它中学

Benenden School 博耐顿女校 ，Cranbrook,
Kent TN17 4AA
Tel: 01580 240592 Fax: 01580 240280
Website: www.benenden.kent.sch.uk
• GIRLS, 11–18, Boarding
• Pupils 470, Upper sixth 80
• Termly fees £7450
• GSA
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1923, the main building is a neo-Elizabethan mansion (built in 1862) in enormous gardens designed in the 19th century. It is set in 240 acres of parkland and woods in one of the loveliest regions of Kent. There have been numerous recent developments and excellent facilities, most recently a new study centre with high tech classrooms, library, extended art & design facilities and improved boarding houses. Exceptionally well equipped for sports, games and recreations. Predominantly a middle/upper-class school, it is a fully boarding community of high academic achievement. A large staff allows a very favourable staff:pupil ratio of about 1:6 and examination results are excellent. It is strong in art, music and drama and has a good range of sports and games; lacrosse is a particular strength. The school follows Christian principles and its worship is based on Anglican practice. It enjoys flourishing links with the local community and, unusually, has a post-GCSE exchange programme with South Africa. Senior girls help and visit the elderly in the neighbourhood and all girls are encouraged to make friends in the local community, particularly within the parish. Local voluntary organisations call on the school’s support. There is liaison with local boys’ schools for debates, dances and musical entertainment, as well as established house links.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 470 boarding girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used. For sixth-form entry, two exams (in subjects taken at A-level) plus 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Pupils come from large number of feeder schools (160+ in last 4 years).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Up to 20 pa scholarships, value 10%–50% fees (7+ at 11, 12+ at 13): academic, 4 music and 1 each for art, sports and design technology; also 13 sixth-form scholarships (9 internal), which may include some for art and music. Short-term bursaries sometimes available in cases of demonstrable need (preference to pupils in run-up to public exams). Parents expected to buy textbooks; extras £140 per term for squash, £190 for music.

Parents 65% live within 1_ hours of the school; 24% live overseas, of which 11% are foreign passport holders from 26 different countries.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Claire Oulton, in post from 2000. Educated at Lady Eleanor Holles and Oxford University (history). Previously Headmistress at St Catherine’s (Bramley) and Head of History at Charterhouse.
Teaching staff: 63 full time, 38 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 67 pupils in upper fifth; 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 66 (62 over 5 years).
A-levels: 85 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 388.

University & college entrance 99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (55% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge and 6% to US universities. 4% took courses in medicine and veterinary science, 10% in science & engineering, 69% in humanities & social sciences, 12% in art & design, 4% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, occupational therapy. Others typically return home to study.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects; 25 at AS/A-level (including Latin and Greek).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (mostly a broad range), 3 at A-level; in addition, general studies taught and AS-level optional. 20% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into AS courses and general studies; exam optional.
Special provision: Short-term assistance for learning difficulties and EFL.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. 80% take GCSE in more than 1 language. Cross-curricular and exchange trips to France, Austria and Spain.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–10) and across the curriculum (eg almost all exam coursework prepared on computer). 128 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. 65% of senior pupils own laptops, 30% of junior.

The arts
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; GCSE, AS and A-level and instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, wind band, full symphony orchestra, brass, string, vocal groups. Winners of various categories in local music festivals. Base for Hemsted Forest Youth Orchestra.
Drama, dance & debating: GCSE and A-level drama, ESB, LAMDA exams may be taken. Ballet, modern dance and tap. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Two debating societies compete in Oxford and Cambridge Union debating competitions. Sixth formers encouraged to run drama and debating clubs.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level; 14 take history of art A-level. Design, sculpture, pottery, painting, drawing and textiles offered. On average 2 a year into leading London art schools.

Sport & activities
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, tennis, swimming, gym, athletics, rounders, volleyball compulsory. Optional: riding, fencing, judo, self-defence, squash, clay-pigeon shooting. BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. Majority of lacrosse 1st team in county and regional teams.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, including literary, Young Enterprise (2 companies), debating society, cookery skills, textiles, clay-pigeon shooting.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout; separate sixth-form uniform.
Houses & prefects: Prefects elected by staff and students. Student Union with elected officials.
Religion: Morning prayers, Sunday church service, weekday Communion.
Social: Ad hoc joint functions with other schools, eg debating, drama and music; house links with Tonbridge School. Organised trips abroad eg skiing or to USA, India. Post-GCSE exchange programme with South Africa. Senior students allowed to bring own bike to school. All meals self-service. School shop. No smoking allowed; sixth form allowed glass of wine in supervised weekly social club.

Discipline Students failing to produce homework once might expect work to be marked down or supervised to get it done; set penalties for smoking; possession of drugs would result in expulsion.

Boarding All sixth formers have own study bedrooms; GCSE years in single, double or some larger study bedrooms; 160 in dormitories of 5–8. Four qualified nurses (one always resident), doctor on call. Central dining room. 2–3 weekend (1_ days) exeats a term plus half term (5+ days) plus 4 fixed exeats a year; flexible approach to further exeats. Visits to the local towns allowed in small groups.

Alumni association is run by the Seniors’ Officer, c/o the School.

Former students The Princess Royal; Lady Medawar; Penny Junor; Joanna Foster (BT Forum); Rev Angela Berners-Wilson (Chair Diocesan Board of Education); Lady Assche (ex-Senior Medical Officer, Dept Health); Min Hogg (Editor-in-Chief, World of Interiors); Fiona Shackleton (solicitor); Deborah Barnes Jones (HM Ambassador to Georgia); Georgina Harland (World Champion Modern Pentathlete); Anna Walter (Director General, Energy DOT); Veronica Wadley (Editor, London Evening Standard).