►►►其它中学

Oxford High School GDST,牛津中学 Belbroughton Road, Oxford OX2 6XA
Tel: 01865 559888 Fax: 01865 552343
Website: www.gdst.net/oxfordhigh
• GIRLS, 3–18, Day, Boys 3–6 only
• Pupils 916, Upper sixth 68
• Termly fees £1674–£2310
• GSA, GDST
• Enquiries to the Headmistress. Applications to Admissions Registrar (01865 318500)

What it’s like
Founded in 1875, in the decade that saw the foundation of the first women’s colleges at Oxbridge. Its early pupils were among the first women to obtain university degrees. The senior school is at Belbroughton Road and the junior department is on two sites at Greycotes and The Squirrels; all are within walking distance, two miles from the city centre. Facilities throughout are excellent; the senior department has a new music school and English department and there is a new indoor swimming pool for the whole school. Playing fields are on site. There is regular and extensive investment in the school’s ICT equipment by GDST. Assemblies, occasionally of a religious nature, examine many thought-provoking issues. There is considerable emphasis on independent learning; pupils set their own targets for development in consultation with staff. Pastoral care is a strength. A sound general education and stimulating teaching is provided; examination results are outstanding. A high proportion of sixth formers go on to Oxbridge. Music, drama and art are very strong. So are sports and games (there are many representatives at county and national level). There are many charity initiatives and local community service volunteers. It has an outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Young Enterprise and CCF. There is collaboration with Magdalen College School in various activities including debating, drama, music, CCF and ski trips. Many overseas expeditions are arranged.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18, 916 day pupils (875 girls, 41 boys). Senior department, 11–18, 578 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B including English, maths and sciences (grade A in sixth-form subjects). Academic potential and ability looked for; no religious requirements.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Up to 12 pa scholarships, value approx 10% fees: 8 in Year 7 (7 academic, 1 music), 4 in Year 12 (1 academic, 1 art, 1 music, 1 sport). Bursaries, based on financial need, distributed throughout the senior department (regarded as a greater priority than scholarships). Parents not expected to buy textbooks, pay for examination fees or careers consultancy.

Parents 40+% are professional (doctors, lawyers, etc.). 25+% university dons.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Miss Felicity Lusk, appointed in 1997. Educated in New Zealand at Marsden Collegiate, Victoria University (music), Massey University and Christchurch Teachers’ College (education). Previously Deputy Headteacher at Hasmonean High School, London. Also Governor of Guildhall School of Music and Drama; former Councillor, London Borough of Enfield; wide educational and community interests.
Teaching staff: 54 full time, 28 part time. Large number of visiting teachers for music, speech and drama, sport, and SEN throughout the school.

Exam results
GCSE: On average 80 in Year 11: 86% achieve at least grade A in 10 subjects. Average score of 72 (over 5 years).
A-levels: 68 in Year 13. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 403.

University & college entrance 97% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (53% after a gap year), 22% to Oxbridge. 9% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 9% in science & engineering, 5% in law, 61% in humanities & social sciences (including languages), 5% in art, design, art history and architecture, 12% in vocational subjects eg stage management, hospitality management, sports science, teaching, music, physiotherapy.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS-level subjects, 21 A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3–4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. About 10% take sciences; 40% arts; 50% both. Girls encouraged to pursue subjects they enjoy with an eye on future career plans.
Vocational: New careers centre; high standard of careers guidance at heart of school. Established work experience programme in Year 11; Year 9 in national Take Our Daughters to Work Day.
Special provision: No formal provision but part-time specialist helps with dyslexia, study skills etc; special needs co-ordinator arranges special courses for the gifted. Seeks to provide for pupils with disabilities.
Languages: French, German, Spanish, Russian and Ancient Greek offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Italian in sixth form (to GCSE, AS/A-level); Japanese on peripatetic basis. 2 sixth-form tutor groups conducted entirely in French. Language assistants in each language. Many regular exchanges.
ICT: GCSE, AS and A-level offered; ECDL qualification for all. Taught both as a discrete subject (an average of 2 lessons a week) and across the curriculum. 4 ICT suites and computers (in all curricular areas and at all ages), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument in school, many more out of school; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include several orchestras and choirs, chamber groups, recorder groups, wind band.
Drama & dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, AS level theatre studies, ESB, Guildhall exams may be taken. All pupils can be involved in school productions.
Art & design: On average, 21 take GCSE, 7 A-level. Courses are well subscribed. Design, pottery, textiles, sculpture also offered. Some go on to art foundation courses; several recent pupils have given solo shows and are self-supporting artists; some doing postgraduate art & design work.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, gymnastics, dance, health-related exercise, aerobics, rounders, tennis, street dance, athletics, swimming, badminton, trampolining, volleyball, life-saving, country dance and squash. Sixth form: indoor climbing, real tennis, ballroom dancing, fitness. RLSS, ASA exams may be taken. Community Sports Leader Award in sixth form. County, regional and national representatives in several sports. Biannual hockey tour to Barbados.
Activities: Duke of Edinburgh Award’s Scheme. Opportunities for community service. Up to 70 clubs, eg literary, meditation, drama, science, computing, art, bridge, chess, sports, maths, debating, Christian Union, Young Enterprise, life saving, judo, flamenco dancing, soccer, sailing, choirs, orchestras, ensembles, Amnesty International, classical, conservation, driving, magazine.

School life
Uniform: School uniform (informal) worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitions for sport, drama etc. Prefects, head girl and deputy, elected by sixth form. School Council with elected chair.
Religion: Non-denominational; assemblies occasionally Christian in outlook and aim to develop the girls’ moral, ethical and spiritual awareness.
Social: Collaboration and a number of joint activities with Magdalen College School; various partnerships with state schools. Organised trips abroad to Russia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy; cultural visits to Greece, Vienna; other expeditions to unusual destinations eg Malawi, Bolivia. Many pupils cycle to school. Meals self-service (mandatory to end of Year 11). No smoking or illegal substances allowed, nor alcohol (although sixth formers offered wine at appropriate occasions).

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework might expect a reprimand, then letter is sent home. Communication with home is basis for dealing with disciplinary matters, large or small; target-setting important. Uniform relaxed and comfortable so few problems. Those bringing an illegal drug into school for use or distribution likely to be excluded.

Alumnae association The Secretary, Oxford High School Old Girls’ Association, c/o the school.

Former pupils Maggie Smith, Miriam Margolyes (actors); Sian Edwards (conductor); Elizabeth Jennings (poet); Emma Bridgewater (potter); Ursula Buchan (journalist); Sophie Grigson (cookery TV/writer); Louise Williams (violinist); Dame Josephine Barnes (first woman President BMA); Eleanor Oldroyd (Radio 4, Sport); Dame Rose Macaulay (novelist); Anne Pasternak-Slater, Caroline Series, Helen Darbishire (all academics); Julia Hollander (director); Harriet Hunt (international chess grandmaster); Joanne van Heningen (architect); Cressida Dick (Superintendent of Police, Oxford); Martha Lane Fox (entrepreneur lastminute.com).