St Margaret's School (Exeter)

Our View

Provides a lively, challenging preparation for adult life having left its old ‘finishing school’ legacy far behind. Punches above its weight academically and is commendably nurturing. Has a well-earned reputation for all the arts. Any shortcomings are more than compensated for by its quirky uniqueness. Not one to be written off as a second choice without visiting.

Head

Since 2008, Mrs Sheila Cooper MA PGCE NPQH LTCL (early fifties). Educated at Carisbrooke High School, Isle of Wight then at St Anne’s College, Oxford where she read classics (gaining a double first). Impressive list of teaching posts: King Edward VI, Southampton, Boston High then The Perse Girls’ (where she produced three Greek tragedies: in Greek of course) before Norwich High (head of classics and key skills coordinator) and six years as deputy head of St Edward’s, Cheltenham before making it to headship at St Margaret’s. Engaging ‘in a slightly quirky girls’ school sort of way,’ remarked one mother. Younger girls respect her and know she cares but have not all necessarily been her greatest fans for laying down the law. Parents have welcomed the tightening-up. Astute when it comes to management, she also teaches Latin (which she has re-introduced) to new entrants (helps her to get to know them) and ‘Greek as a Treat’ for year 10 upwards. Great believer in value of extra-curricular activities in making a whole person. Leads by example – occasionally plays cello in school orchestra and is currently trying to learn Mandarin. ‘Really going for it,’ confirm parents who praise her ‘high level of commitment.’ Fair amount of re-structuring since she took hold of reins: spotting holes in the local market by admitting boys into prep and offering nursery places. Softly spoken, has settled into rôle – parents expect she will be there ‘for the long term’. Encourages girls to ‘believe they can do anything if they try.’ Lives opposite the school with husband, Iain. No children of her own but she takes a keen interest in her nine nephews and nieces plus gardening and cello playing.

Academic Matters

Sixth form results (80 per cent A and B grades at A level) are a credit to the teaching and dispel the urban myth that ‘bright girls go elsewhere.’ Surprisingly broad range of (17) subjects for a small sixth form with results in arts and sciences evenly balanced. Physics and business studies departments have broken down former sexist prejudices. Many girls we met gave special thumbs up for the creative subjects. Even wider choice (22 subjects) at GCSE where results (45 per cent A* and A) belie the wide ability range. Performance in maths has improved since introduction of two software packages to improve numeracy: ‘Mathletics’ and ‘My Maths’ - parents have been encouraged to participate in a ‘triangle of support’ and say the teaching in English as well as maths is ‘spot on’. Most classes below GCSE average 15 girls but twos and threes are not uncommon in sixth. Girls continue with at least one foreign language to GCSE; RS is taken compulsorily as a half GCSE so the total sat by most is 10.5 subjects.

Learning Success department is staffed by two SpLD specialists and co-ordinated by a music and maths teacher who is committed to teaching lower sets, has a special interest in dyscalculia and is happy ‘to work with weak girls’. Fifty-seven girls receive support of some kind with one girl with cerebral palsy currently assigned a learning assistant (provided by parents). All year seven pupils are screened for dyslexia – one mother raved about an approach called ‘toe by toe’ which had re-programmed her daughter’s reading ability. Laptops for those who need them; support sessions are worked out individually and don’t necessarily involve withdrawal from lessons. Pupil mentoring programme includes ‘study buddies’ – sixth formers who helper younger girls with numeracy. High flyers are monitored and encouraged ‘to go the extra mile’ through activities at school as well as attendance at extra courses, events and competitions outside. Good use is made of school intranet to keep teachers abreast of individuals’ needs and sessions on ‘what if feels like to be dyslexic’ have been run for parents.

Games, Options, the Arts

Limited site (small gym and only two outside hard surfaces for netball or tennis) necessitates use of neighbouring university and other sports facilities including access to new playing fields belonging to Royal School for the Deaf. Young PE staff teaching to GCSE and A levels. School is strongest at netball and swimming but also fields teams in hockey, rounders etc. Sports day is an annual focus for inter-house competition. At sixth form level girls get to take yoga, pilates etc as a break from team based sport. School backs those who participate in outside clubs (eg two SW rowers; one girl in SW team on cricket tour in India). Not overrun with full-on gamesy types – rather it’s creative juices that flow at St Margaret’s: music, drama and art are all real strengths. Full scale, biennial musical (last up was a production of ‘We Will Rock You’); lots of participation in national and local music festivals; ‘Seraphim’ trio of sixth formers sing for public at various events eg in Exeter Guildhall at Lord Mayor’s Charity Concert), four other choirs including chamber choir and chapel choir which sometimes sings evensong at Exeter cathedral. Over fifty per cent of girls have instrumental or singing lessons with team of 20+ peripatetic teachers. Impressive results in music exams and loads of musical activity: full wind band, string chamber orchestra plus informal flute and brass groups. Music offered to A2 but not music technology though good use is made of Sibelius software in all years for composition in keyboard laboratory. Lots of concerts include recent joint one with St Peter’s. Energetic head of drama enthuses girls (one is currently in national youth theatre) and oversees full range of productions including small scale plays (eg ‘Be My Baby’) as well as participation in Schools’ Shakespeare Festival. Aptly named ‘Arthouse’ is highly innovative area under long-standing, male direction. Girls increasingly take ownership of their ideas – recent projects we saw included decorative use of a Mini Cooper S and of a garden shed turned war memorial to a lost grandfather.

Unexpectedly, one of only four all girls CCF contingents in the country. Tough stuff with about thirty going on annual camp to Penhale. Amazing record in D of E – school has just celebrated winning 100 gold awards – boosted by successful trips to India to support goodwill village for destitute children in Tamil Nadu. Innovative and well supported schemes for getting girls to visit France. School also puts out two 35 and one 45 mile team for annual Ten Tors Challenge on nearby Dartmoor – ‘half the school is out on the moor some weekends,’ quipped the head.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded in 1902, school became a charitable trust and one of the Christian based Woodard schools in 1968. Occupies an imposing Georgian house (formerly owned by the Barings banking family) with additions in a scholastic enclave of the city (Exeter School and The Maynard are close by). Long-serving staff member acts as chaplain; termly Eucharist is valued part of Christian tradition here. Senior school worships collectively twice a week and on other days in smaller groups. Beautiful stained glass window embellishes St Margaret’s chapel in middle of school. School participates in ICE (Initiative in Christian Education) with outsiders helping to run ‘Lighthouse’ – a Christian Union for years 5-7.

Fabric of school appears well maintained: pleasant, light filled classrooms with plenty of display material, modern science laboratories (opened by Princess Anne in her rôle as patron of WISE) and lovely home economics area. ‘PAC’ - performing arts centre (includes music teaching areas and a versatile drama studio) opened in 2001. Open planned library is at centre of school; well used by all and private study base for lower sixth. School hall doubles up as an excellent dining area (food is ‘amazing’ said girls as they ‘mixed and matched’ their selections) – girls can add as much salad, veggies or fruit as they want (within reason). Breakfast club operates before school and healthy snacks are on offer at break – even via the vending machine. Art department occupies a creative outpost on the eastern fringes which meets its offbeat needs perfectly. School has greened up considerably and holds the eco bronze award. Some of the male staff we met turned out to be dynamic HODs (eg physics, art and RS) as well as a deputy head.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Pastoral heads emphasise value of a team approach and meet weekly with form tutors who are the first port of call for girls and parents. Christian youth worker active in school and some girls are genuinely committed Christians. PCCE course covers personal development, citizenship and careers – parents get a summary leaflet at the beginning of each school year to explain the content. Work experience for year 11 girls relies on their input but with some help from local Connexions team. First aid centre looked so inviting girls can’t mind too much being sent to the full-time matron if unwell. Parents we spoke to all ranked pastoral care as ‘the biggest plus’ for the school.

Pupils and Parents

Gentle, friendly girls who actually greet their teachers spontaneously. Year group not a bar to friendship – ‘our year 10 daughter has lots of friends in the sixth,’ explained one mother. Not a rough and tumble place but not prissy either. ‘No smell of bitchy competitiveness,’ said one parent. All ages more than ready to talk about themselves and what they enjoy. Girls have ‘really taken appearance of nursery aged children on site to their hearts,’ says head. Active school council is fighting the eco battle amongst others. ‘Amazing’ carol service held in Exeter cathedral. Week’s work experience for year eleven after GCSE exams gives them a taste of life in business etc. Sixth formers incredibly mature and easily mistaken for staff members. Lovely facilities in new sixth form centre at top of school which offers panoramic views over the city and beyond to ‘lift their spirits’ says head. Active parent staff association successful at fund-raising through a variety of events. In addition to local bus services parents organise three private buses to serve outlying towns and villages. OGs include broadcaster Mary Nightingale, Royal Ballet musician Emma Granger, Archers’ actress Hedli Niklaus.

Entrance

Internally set tests for entry to senior school at 11 (including year six who normally all proceed to year seven) in English, maths and verbal reasoning plus interview with headmistress. Taster days for those who want them. Girls come from a wide area: state primaries as well as local private schools. Some enter at 13 from preps (principally Exeter Cathedral and St Peter’s, Lympstone). Small entry into sixth from elsewhere (growing trickle from St Peter’s High School - local state Woodard schools member). Homestay arrangements made for any international boarders.

Exit

Few leave after year 11 – ‘girls are more loyal now,’ claims head. Some to top academic courses including law, medicine and veterinary science with destinations including Russell Group and sometimes Oxbridge; regular places at Central St Martin’s and Wimbledon for art; wide range of choices and many girls proceed into creative careers.

Money Matters

Bursaries up to fifty per cent; academic scholarships from age 11 may be awarded on merit at any time; other scholarships awarded for art, music and performing arts are tested in January. Sixth form scholarship candidates sit a one-hour paper in the GCSE subject of their choice in January.