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Queen Anne's School,安妮女王学校  Caversham,
Reading RG4 6DX
Tel: 0118 918 7300 Fax: 0118 918 7310
Website: www.qas.org.uk
• GIRLS, 11–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 332, Upper sixth 42
• Termly fees £4445 (Day), £6580 (Boarding)
• GSA, BSA
• Enquiries to the Headmistress

What it’s like
Founded in 1894, it has an urban, single site near the village of Caversham, a few minutes’ journey from Reading. The absolute origins of the school go back to 1698, when the Grey Coat Hospital was founded for the children of Westminster, and Queen Anne granted the Foundation a charter a few years later. In 1894 the governors decided to use part of the endowment for a boarding school for girls at Caversham. The school retains links with the Hospital and Westminster and every 3 years has its own service in Westminster Abbey. In fact, there is an emphasis on Christian teaching and principles at the school and the fine chapel has a central place in its daily life. The buildings are most agreeable and lie in delightful grounds and gardens. Modern facilities are extensive and include excellent libraries, sports and performing arts centres and comfortable quarters for boarders. There is a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:7. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music and drama are strong. The school has an outstanding record at national level in lacrosse. A plentiful range of clubs and societies provides for most needs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is well supported.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 332 girls (163 day, 169 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used, own exam for scholarships and post-CE entry. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (usually grade B in sixth-form subjects). All-rounders encouraged but no special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 10% at 11, small number into sixth form. Feeder schools include Rupert House, Oratory Prep, St Andrew’s, Godstowe, Glendower Prep.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 10 pa scholarships at ages 11–14, value £600 pa–100% day fees: 7–8 academic, several sport, art and music; 3–4 sixth-form scholarships. Variable number of bursaries, for existing pupils in cases of need. Parents expected to buy textbooks only in sixth form; average extras £200.

Parents Up to 60% live within 30 miles of the school, up to 20% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Deborah Forbes, in post since 1993. Educated at Bath High and Oxford University (English). Previously Head of English at Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
Teaching staff: 40 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover approx 10%. Average age 40.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 63 pupils in upper fifth: 95% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 62 (61 over 5 years).
A-levels: 42 in upper sixth: 12% passed in 4+ subjects; 88% in 3–3_. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 359.

University & college entrance 100% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (26% after a gap year). 8% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 25% in science & engineering, 47% in humanities & social sciences, 6% in art & design, 14% in other vocational subjects eg business, hospitality management, sports studies.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 14% take science A-levels; 43% arts/humanities; 43% both. Key skills in IT only
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Extra coaching in English and specialist EFL teaching.
Languages: French (compulsory from age 11), German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also French and Spanish AS-level, Italian GCSE. Annual exchanges to Toulouse and Dusseldorf, Spanish study trip.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson a week) and across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use (14+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All Year 12 pupils take Clait.

The arts
Music: Over 50% learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 6 musical groups including choirs, orchestra and wind band. 1 member Reading youth orchestra, 1 in county choir; girls involved in county music centre choirs and orchestras. Drama, dance & debating: Both offered. GCSE and A-level drama, Guildhall and LAMDA exams may be taken. All pupils are involved with school and house productions. International winners in public speaking.
Art & design: On average, 20 pupils take GCSE and 8 take A-level.

Sport & activities
Sport: Lacrosse, swimming, tennis, gym, dance, athletics compulsory. Optional: squash, rowing, badminton, basketball, volleyball, trampolining. Sixth form only: aerobics, sailing, golf, weight training. National schools’ lacrosse champions many times; international, regional and county lacrosse players; also county tennis, cross country and athletics representatives.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Over 20 clubs including art, debating, photography, Young Enterprise, chess, electronics, careers, cross-country plus music and sports clubs.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Day and boarding houses. Two head girls and deputies, elected by Headmistress, staff and sixth form. School Council.
Religion: Compulsory attendance at religious worship.
Social: Public speaking, music, drama, sports, social events, Young Enterprise and conferences with other local schools. Annual art/art history trips. Ski trip, choir and lacrosse tour. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a reprimand; those smoking cannabis would be expelled.

Boarding 40% have own study bedrooms, 20% share with one other. Houses of 60, plus sixth-form houses. Resident nurse. Sixth formers can cook own food. Visits to local town allowed, varying with age.

Alumni association is run by Miss C Mardall, c/o the school.

Former pupils Frances Heaton (director, Bank of England); Celia Haddon (columnist); Posy Simmonds (cartoonist); Margaret Wolfit, Juliet Aubrey, Jenny Seagrove (actresses), Joanna Kennedy (director, Ove Arrup).