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Wycombe Abbey School 威克姆阿贝学校, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1PE
Tel: 01494 520381 Fax: 01494 473836
Website: www.wycombeabbey.com
• GIRLS, 11–18, Boarding (mostly), Day (some)
• Pupils 538, Upper sixth 76
• Termly fees £5475 (Day), £7300 (Boarding)
• GSA
• Enquiries to the Registrar. Application to the Headmistress

WHAT IT’S LIKE
Founded in 1896, it is near the centre of High Wycombe. The main building is a very large mansion in 160 acres of fine grounds. Exceptionally good modern facilities and comfortable boarding accommodation are provided; a new multi-purpose sports centre recently opened. The teacher:pupil ratio is about 1:7 and academic standards are extremely high; examination results are excellent. A very high proportion of girls goes on to Oxbridge. It is a Church of England school with its own chapel and all pupils are required to attend daily prayers and a Sunday service. A fine range of sports, games and activities is available and standards are high, particularly in lacrosse; there are many pupils in county teams and a number of international lacrosse players. The school is strong in music, art and drama. Sixth formers help in the local community and take part in Young Enterprise. The school has an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.


SCHOOL PROFILE

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 538 girls (505 boarding, 33 day).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 13 (some at 12 and 16). Common Entrance used at 11 and 13 and own entrance exam at 12. For sixth-form entry, own exam, interview and 8 GCSEs at least grade C (grade A in sixth-form subjects). Special skills are always of interest; no religious requirements. Very small state school entry. Feeder schools include Maltman's Green, High March, Rupert House and a range of London day prep schools at 11; Godstowe (locally) and prep schools throughout the UK at 13.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Up to 22 scholarships, 15 exhibitions annually, value £1200–50% fees: 21 junior, 12 sixth form, 4 music. Variable number of means-tested bursaries, for descendants of registered Seniors. Parents expected to buy some textbooks.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Pauline Davies, in post since 1998. Educated at Guildford County Grammar School and Manchester University (botany and zoology). Previously Headmistress at Croydon High, Deputy Head at King Edward VI School, Chelmsford, and Head of Biology at Urmston Girls’ Grammar School.
Teaching staff: 70 full time, 14 part time (plus peripatetic staff).

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 85 pupils in upper fifth, all of whom gained grade B or above in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 71 (70 over 5 years).
A-levels: 83 in upper sixth: all passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 482.

University & college entrance All 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (some after a gap year), 25% to Oxbridge. 14% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 3% in maths, 60% in humanities & social sciences, 2% in law, 6% in modern languages, 5% in economics and management, 8% to universities in the USA.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 subjects at GCSE, 25 at AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (many take a mix of arts and sciences), 3 at A-level. About 25% take science A-levels; 33% languages/humanities; 42% combinations.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to A-level; Italian to GCSE. Significant number take Mandarin (taught privately). Regular exchanges and visits to Spain, France and Germany.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum (eg making web pages in language lessons, modelling in maths, spreadsheets in science, DTP for newspapers and leaflets in English). Most sixth formers take EDCL modules. 100 computers for pupil use (access all day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access; computers in 3 computer rooms, library, in subject areas and boarding houses; voluntary lap top scheme.

The arts
Music: Over 70% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments and instrumental exams are offered. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, wind bands, clarinet groups, jazz groups, chamber groups, choral society. Chamber groups often reach finals of National Chamber competition; choir tours every 2 years. Annual choral concert with Eton.
Drama: In curriculum in first two years and offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; private lessons lead to Guildhall and LAMDA examinations. Annual productions in Years 9–12. Girls often audition for National Youth Theatre and opt for drama degrees.
Art & design: GCSE art, A-level art and history of art are popular options.

Sport & activities
Sport: Lacrosse, tennis, netball, cross-country, gymnastics, swimming, athletics, health-related fitness, squash, dance compulsory. Optional: fencing, trampolining, extra tennis, squash, karate, hockey, gym, ballet, dance, tap dancing, aerobics, self-defence, judo, rock climbing, kick-boxing, golf, football, rifle shooting, riding, skiing, yoga, pilates. Sixth form and upper fifth only: fitness suite, volleyball, basketball. RLSS exams may be taken. AS and A-level PE offered. School regularly reaches national finals in lacrosse, gymnastics, squash and tennis. 3 international lacrosse players, 16 county reps in lacrosse, 2 county netball, 8 athletics.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service compulsory for 2 terms in lower sixth. Variety of clubs eg public speaking, philosophy, classical, fine arts, wine, science, beagling.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the upper sixth.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, heads of house and house prefects, chosen from lower sixth. All years represented on school council.
Religion: Church of England worship is compulsory.
Social: Caledonian Society, choral group, debating society, public-speaking and dining clubs with boys’ schools. Annual choir trip to Europe (eg Hungary, Italy and France), cultural visits.

Boarding 9 houses plus separate houses for 11-year-olds and for upper sixth.

Former pupils Rt Hon Lady Justice Butler-Sloss; Lady Elspeth Howe; Penelope Fitzgerald; Sally Phillips; Rachel Stirling.