Queenswood School

Our View

A happy, healthy, haven for bright, busy, unpretentious girls keen to embrace life. A good place for future Wimbledon wonders. Popular with locals, increasingly a boon for city parents seeking sanctuary from the cut-throat competitiveness of inner London hothouses.

Principal

Since 2006, Mrs Pauline Edgar BA PGCE (early fifties). Educated at Dudley Girls' High School, read history at London University. Previously head of sixth form, teaching and learning co-ordinator and head of history and politics at Francis Holland School. Married to Hamish, a maritime lawyer who's currently working in Gibraltar: 'I've quickly learned the benefits of texting.' A proud parent to three children; two sons out of university and a daughter just starting. Loves teaching but doesn't teach any more, confesses to missing the interaction with the girls.

Only the seventh head in the school's history and she feels privileged to be in shoes of previous head. She is taking a softly-softly approach, spending time observing and absorbing; has introduced a few tweaks such as celebration assemblies. Some staff surprised by lack of tangible changes thus far, others comment she has brought some of the London buzz to the school. Admits to a love of London, especially wandering around art galleries and visiting the theatre and cinema, 'I'm a normal person, resisting falling into a headmistress persona.' A petite, elegant, well-spoken, cheerful principal. Passionate about history, politics and music, enjoys running, swimming and sailing holidays but acknowledges she hardly has a life outside school. Says biggest eye-opener since she started has been boarding, 'I thought I knew what boarding might be but now I know what it is, it's a revelation. I can't believe how much fun the girls have, how much they can fit in and all without stressing out exhausted parents. I'm an absolute convert.' Girls are happy with her – 'she's really interested in us and wants to get to know us.'

Academic Matters

Results fluctuate between good and very good – 93 per cent A/B at A level in 2005, 82 per cent in 2006, 91 per cent in 2007 and 90 per cent in 2008, 85 per cent in 2009. Particularly good results at A level in English literature, history – but the star of the show is drama & theatre studies, reflecting both popularity and strength. Good GCSE results – 80 per cent A*/A in 2009. Broad intake, coupled with commendable performance, places school at pinnacle of Hertfordshire's value-added tables. Girls often do two modern languages at GCSE and continue with at least one in sixth form. Options in Italian, Japanese and Spanish; girls encouraged to continue studies in their own native languages. No child is refused a go at a GCSE. Teaching mainly traditional with ICT increasingly used by all – every girl has a laptop. Set in maths, French, English and science; class sizes not larger than 24, many smaller. Refurbished library chock-a-block with books, many purchased in recent times.

Currently piloting enrichment activities for gifted including timetabled session of critical thinking; masses on offer for talented. Oxbridge hopefuls encouraged to attend sessions run by staff on range of subjects including decision making, philosophy, interview techniques and subject specific enhancement. 'We're not an academic hot-house but you can be extremely academically successful if that's your thing.' Approximately 10 per cent have EAL needs. Support available for those with moderate dyslexia or other, mild SEN, 'but not as much as we'd like to offer.' Some 96 on register, many monitored, far fewer receive one-to-one (max two lessons a week) from helpful and enthusiastic learning support coordinator. Most have SpLD type difficulties but odd ones with mild ADD, ADHD or ASD. Earnestly insist parents matter, 'they're the ones who know the girls, what makes them tick, what causes them to crumble, so we're always keen to discuss issues, strategies and ways forward.'

Games, Options, the Arts

A school for budding international sports stars – 'I love watching sports and it's a joy to be principal of a school that wins,' comments the head. Lots of successes at regional and national finals. National hockey players include members of the England junior squad and a recent leaver is now a promising player on the international tennis circuit. School is a national LTA clay court centre and hosts the annual National Schools Championships. The Lawn Tennis Association suggests it for would-be tennis stars. With 27 courts in all – 12 clay, 13 all-weather and two indoors – 'you can play tennis at any level,' and at almost any time. Budding stars carefully mentored; help given with diet, fitness, training, fitting in competitions etc. Masses of inter-school competitions, ensures sport for all. Facilities include large, modern indoor swimming pool, Astroturf hockey pitch, weights room, aerobics room and huge sports hall. Girls now learn to cook in posh new practical cookery room. Very little they'd change. Long-lunch affords opportunity for girls to participate in clubs and activities; relax in the grounds or have fun in the adventure playground.

Keen on music, strong choral, masses of ensembles, loads of inter-house competitions. Good drama, several productions a year. Annual trip to Edinburgh festival; a couple of students are members of the National Youth Theatre. Fabulous art and ceramics; housed in 70s 'rot house' which has now received TLC. DT soared in popularity and professionalism over past few years; a year 9 display received accolades from a visiting AS assessor. Textiles important. Regular art history trips to Europe. Model United Nations, Young Enterprise, debating society, plus charity works. Thriving D of E, some 25 working on gold, 45 recently achieved bronze. School awarded silver level 'eco-school' status, September 2006. Trips galore, 13 year 9 girls spend up to a term in schools in either Australia, New Zealand, Canada or South Africa and their counterparts come to Queenswood. Numerous other trips to range of destinations including Austria, Alabama, Costa Rica and New York.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded in Clapham Park in 1894, school moved to purpose-built neo-Tudor building in 1925 with masses of later additions. Splendid grounds, glorious gardens open to the public at end of May; 120 acres of sports fields and woodland two miles out from the M25, a 'commutable hour' from London. First-rate Audrey Butler Centre (aka the ABC) houses lecture theatre, language labs and masses of classrooms. Spanking new theatre and associated facilities, a jewel in the crown. Science labs functional, but two recently refurbed reassures parents that academia matters.

Cosy boarding houses divided by year for youngest (Trew), with some resident lower sixth on hand to help. Lower sixth have 27 brand new rooms. Upper sixth have own houses, with modern single or double study bedrooms. Rest of school lives in mixed age houses, with each house having a comfy common room, where other houses can visit. Sixth form centre looks like and known as the Pizza Hut. Boarding breaks and sleepovers on hand for day girls, who are, anyway, at the school for a very full day, lots of stories of impromptu dance and gymnastic sessions suggest boarders just want to have fun. Some fixed 'in school' and 'home weekends', otherwise boarders can spend full weekend at home with choice of Sunday evening or Monday morning return. A few traditionalists would prefer a return to full boarding but most appreciate this is a move to meet twenty first century family needs and preserve the boarding ethos. Girls wear purple and lilac uniform, blazer-wearing recently reinforced; sixth formers wear 'smart own clothes'.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

Methodist foundation with non-denominational Chapel services, an important part of school life, girls frequently leading the services. All divided into houses each run by teaching housemistresses with assistants and a team of academic tutors with around ten tutees per tutor; sixth formers choose their own. Pupil-teacher and parent-teacher relationships relaxed but respectful. 'We work in partnership with parents; we want them to take an active interest in the school and their daughter's education.'

Range of visiting speakers use personal experiences to raise awareness of hard-hitting issues such as drugs, sex, HIV and alcoholism. Girls taking drugs 'lose their right to be a member of the school'. Recently introduced a rewards and sanctions system which aims to reward girls for contributions to school life and help them overcome any problems they may have with that. 'Academics used to be described as 'boffs', but now all the girls achieve good grades at GCSE. We've made a concerted effort to ensure it's cool to be clever.' Postcards of praise, gold badges and stars reward pupils; demerits and detentions aim to deter miscreants, parents involved at early stages. Food a highlight, masses of mouth-watering choices, some even cooked to order, with option of outdoor eating in new picnic/BBQ area when weather permits.

Pupils and Parents

Lots of first time buyers, with both partners working, masses from London. 17 per cent from abroad, fair proportion from Hong-Kong and mainland China, with some ex-pats; EFL taken seriously. Strong, parent supported, Queenswood Fellowship much involved with social activities throughout the year and made generous contribution to new practical cookery room. Very much a 'sleeves rolled up' school, for community minded doers, happy to get stuck in. Refreshing to find pre-teen girls as excited by camping out and hide-and-seek, as they are by beauty and make-up sessions. Sixth formers articulate, poised, feisty but sensible; we commented on the numbers who, in the leavers' magazine, said their ambition was to find and marry a rich man. 'They don't mean it, it's all tongue in cheek,' said the head with a steely stare and wry grin, and we didn't for a minute think they did – but it's refreshing to see girls not taking themselves too seriously – humour, it seems, is a fundamental part of school life.

Girls recognise they live in a Queenswood bubble, realise life on the outside may not be smooth so are determined to get as much out of school life as possible. Parents firmly believe school suits different people, with pastoral care, friendliness and focus on family at the fore and 'parents in partnership' message pervading many areas of school life. Old Queenswoodians' Association is arguably one of the largest, with branches in lands near and far. Oldest OG is 98 – 'I shook hands with her as she skipped out of the car, typifying the Queenswood spirit,' said principal. Old girls include Georgie Thompson (Sky Sports presenter); Helen McCrory (actress); Prof Alison Richards (Vice Chancellor, Cambridge University); Carol Thatcher (journalist); Naomi Cavaday (tennis player).

Entrance

Early registration advised, but entry into most years if vacancies permit either by CE or by own entrance exam. Broad ability intake but should be capable of gaining good grades at GCSE. Strong sixth form intake, candidates must get six GCSEs at B or above, with As in the subjects they want to study at A level. Visits welcome by appointment, many current parents act as tour guides. Pupils from a number of schools including Stormont, St Mary's (NW3), Lyonsdown, Beechwood Park, St Hilda's (Harpenden), Heath Mount, Maltman's Green, Duncombe, Edge Grove and Palmers Green High.

Exit

Steady trickle leave at 16, usually for co-ed education, 'not a cause for concern, but we certainly can't be complacent. Need to ensure sixth-form is a cool and exciting place to be,' says school. At 18 majority to wide range of universities, a couple to Oxbridge. Many do gap years, organised by the school.

Money Matters

Academic scholarships honorary, bringing glory and support rather than cash, though bursaries available in cases of need. Very much looking at what they can offer that will foster girls’ talents rather than offering financial sweetener. Music (including organ scholarship), drama, tennis and sport scholarships. Occasional bursaries - means-tested. New discount for Services families introduced. School has picked up some financial disasters with parents who have been upfront about the problem.