senior school and sixth form information

SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
INFORMATION
CONTENTS
Why Choose Us? ................................................................................
How to Find Us ………………………………………………
The Senior School and Sixth Form…………………………….
Academic Excellence ..........................................................................
Pastoral Care .......................................................................................
Boarding at Bruton ............................................................................
WHY CHOOSE BRUTON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS?
We are passionate about, and experts in, girls’ education.
We believe in offering every girl a well-rounded
education in an environment with the space to inspire,
challenge, encourage and support her to develop her full
potential. We want your daughter to grow with us, learn
with us, make friends for life and enjoy her time at
school. We will encourage her to develop intellectual
curiosity, self-esteem, respect and care for others,
independence and excellence in all she does – with a real
love of life.
How to Find Us
Day students attend from a wide radius and arrive either
on foot, by car (parents or car share) or on one of the
buses provided by local bus companies or the school.
Bus services cover routes via Wincanton, Shaftesbury,
Gillingham, Wells, Glastonbury, Yeovil, Castle Cary,
Street, Sherborne, Milborne Port, Shepton Mallet and
Frome. A full timetable of services can be downloaded
from www.brutonschool.co.uk
Established in 1900 and set in 40 acres of beautiful
English countryside in Somerset just two hours south
west of London, Bruton School for Girls is a day school
for girls and boys aged 3 - 7 and a day and boarding
school for girls aged 7 - 18.
The school offers excellent value for money and details
of termly fees are available on the website at –
www.brutonschool.co.uk Registration and Acceptance
fees apply on applications. Siblings and Forces Families
can receive a discount of up to 10% on the termly fees.
Scholarships and Assistance with Fees are available and
further information can be found on the school website.
BSG Bus Route Map
University Destinations
Our girls go on to study at a wide range of ‘Russell
Group’ and ‘1994 Group’ universities amongst others,
such as Birmingham, Cardiff, UCL, Edinburgh, Exeter,
Glasgow,
Liverpool,
Manchester,
Newcastle,
Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton, and Warwick.
Subjects read include Art, Accountancy & Finance,
Biochemistry, Business, Classics, Event Management,
Medicine, Law, Physics, Psychology and Veterinary
Science to name just a few. We are very proud that
nearly all girls get to their first choice university,
whatever that may be.
The School has excellent road and rail connections to
London and is close to the major cities of Bath, Salisbury
and Bristol. The nearest large towns are Yeovil and
Frome. The closest airport is Bristol which is around 45
minutes away.
Rail services from Bruton connect directly to Bristol,
Bath, Dorchester and Weymouth, all within one hour.
Rail services from nearby Castle Cary or Templecombe
enable travel to London Paddington or London
Waterloo within 2 hours or to Exeter within 1 hour. The
School provides accompanied transport for boarders to
travel between London Heathrow and Bruton at the
beginning and end of each term. We also provide a
service to the local railway stations at Bruton, Castle Cary
and Templecombe for exeats and half term holidays. We
are 45 minutes by car from Bristol International Airport
and Heathrow and Gatwick can be accessed using the
M3 and A303.
The School is within 5 miles of Royal Naval Air Station
Yeovilton. It is linked by daily bus to the army base at
Warminster which is about 15 miles away, and is about
25 miles to the north of Blandford army base. The army
bases around Amesbury, such as Larkhill and Bulford,
are about 35 miles to the east and Andover only a little
further on the A303.
THE SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
Girls aged 11 – 18 years
The Senior School is a thriving community of girls aged
11-18 years who are taught in separate year groups from
Senior 1 through to Upper Sixth. The main points of
entry to the Senior School are in Senior 1 (age 11 years),
Senior 3 (age 13 years) and Lower Sixth. However, girls
also enter the school in Senior 2 (age 12 years) and
Senior 4 (age 14 years) when GCSE courses begin. Girls
joining the Senior School come from a wide variety of
local, national and international schools, as well as from
our own Sunny Hill Preparatory School. This provides a
rich social and cultural environment.
The School
The school day starts at 8.35am and lessons finish at
3.55pm Monday to Friday with no lessons on Saturdays.
Additional supervised ‘wrap around care’ is available
before and after school for all day pupils by joining the
Breakfast and/or Supper Club. The Dining Hall is open
from 8am prior to which girls can be dropped at their
age appropriate boarding houses. Supper is served from
5.45pm – 6.15pm and girls can be collected from the
boarding houses after this time if required. The school is
very flexible and encourages ‘wrap around care’ bookings
to be made at least 48 hours in advance. A nominal
charge for catering is made which is added to the termly
account.
Senior School production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Girls are expected to do prep each evening. The time
allocation for homework increases from 1½ hours per
day in Senior 1 to 2½-3 hours in Senior 5. After-school
activities and clubs are available for all students wishing
to stay from 4.15pm until 5.45pm. Supervised prep is
available for day and boarding students.
Students involved in any of the school teams participate
in matches, which usually take place on Saturday
mornings or afternoons. On occasion, there may be
drama or music rehearsals on a weekend for those
involved in performances. A wide range of weekend
activities is available for boarders which day students are
welcome to join.
Academic and Personal Expectations
Academically, we have high expectations of our students
and aim to develop their confidence and self-belief.
Many of the girls gain places at prestigious universities in
the UK and overseas and go on to take up rewarding and
satisfying careers. Most girls gain places at their first
choice of university. The School’s philosophy is that the
top grades should not be seen as unattainable but rather
as realistic targets within their reach.
Girls are
encouraged to set challenging goals, display
independence of thought and judgement, and enjoy
learning.
Beyond academic achievements, girls are supported
whilst developing their talents and skills so that they
leave the School as confident and rounded individuals.
Traditional personal values such as kindness, respect and
consideration for others is expected, whilst developing a
sense of responsibility for each other is encouraged.
There are opportunities for leadership and the
development of personal and social skills, particularly in
the Sixth Form, where students may take up the role of
Prefect. Girls are encouraged to assume responsibility
and this includes the ability to set personal targets and to
plan their own learning. These skills are invaluable assets
at university and beyond.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Many extra-curricular activities and clubs are offered
after school and at weekends and provide an opportunity
to extend learning outside the classroom. Specialist
facilities include the Music School and recording studio,
the Art studio and the professionally equipped
Hobhouse Studio Theatre. There is also an Astro Turf
pitch, Dance Studio, Gymnasium and fitness suite, tennis
courts and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Extra-curricular clubs and activities include horse riding,
gymnastics, eco-squad, debating and archery among
many others. In addition, a range of different musical
instruments are available and for sporty types activities
include netball, athletics, tennis and hockey. Talented
sportswomen are given every opportunity to excel.
Involvement in charitable projects for both the local,
wider and international community, fosters awareness
and understanding of the world and the girls’ activities
throughout the year raise thousands of pounds to benefit
worthy causes. We have an established link with an
Indian orphanage, Joybells, which girls have the
opportunity to visit. In addition, girls are encouraged to
have a healthy social life with the opportunity to attend
dances and social events organised at the School and
within the community.
allergies and other dietary requirements. Girls have the
opportunity to produce and harvest their own fresh
produce including herbs, fruit and vegetables as part of
the eco-programme.
Spiritual Life
The School does not have allegiance to any particular
faith and welcomes pupils from all faiths or none. It is,
however, broadly Christian in its ethos. All pupils attend
assemblies three times a week and these often have a
spiritual or ethical theme. The school has links to the
local churches at Bruton and Pitcombe and the Vicar
occasionally leads the assembly. At Christmas and
Easter the whole school attends a special service at St
Mary’s Church in Bruton to mark these religious
festivals. Attendance at Roman Catholic services is
organised for those who wish. Girls may work towards
Confirmation and those interested can join “Crossfire”,
the school’s Christian group. Boarders in Senior 1 – 5
attend Sunday service at local churches in the area.
Church attendance is optional for Sixth Form boarders.
Health, Fitness and Sport
All pupils are encouraged to maintain their fitness and
personal well-being through participation in physical
activity in addition to the compulsory PE curriculum.
The girls have the opportunity develop new skills,
increase their knowledge of different activities and enjoy
participating in team games and often as a release from
their academic schedule. Competitive matches are
arranged with other local schools and girls with particular
talent are supported for their specialist coaching needs.
Uniform and Appearance
All students are expected to look smart and wellpresented. Full school uniform is worn by students in
Senior 1 - 5. Sixth Form girls do not wear uniform and
are responsible for choosing their own clothing which
must comply with the school’s Sixth Form dress code.
Sixth Form Life
The catering team prepare locally sourced meat and
vegetables which are home-cooked and offered in tasty
and nutritious menus. There is always a variety of hot
and cold options. Healthy eating is actively promoted
and the school can accommodate vegetarians, celiac,
The Sixth Form is a time when girls experience rapid
personal and intellectual development, as they become
young adults. The way in which they are treated within
the Sixth Form fully reflects this by using the two years
as a stepping-stone towards the greater freedom of
university and adult life. Sixth Form students have more
freedom to organise their time, make individual choices
and enjoy a range of privileges. They recognise that by
setting clear goals, working hard and taking full
advantage of the many extra-curricular opportunities
available, they can achieve top grades and establish the
foundations for personal fulfilment and a rewarding
career. The Head of Sixth Form, individual tutors and
subject teachers play an important part in providing
appropriate advice and guidance in supporting each girl’s
academic and personal progress.
The Sixth Form Centre, Highcroft, provides study
facilities for day girls together with a café, common
room, a sitting room and kitchen and individual study
bedrooms for boarding students.
There are many opportunities for new experiences and
the development of skills. Girls attend seminars and
tutorials, covering issues such as effective study skills,
techniques of learning, examination technique and
preparing for interviews.
The weekly Lecture
Programme offers a rich and varied programme of
speakers to inspire the girls. Girls participate in extracurricular activities including art, music, drama and sport,
in addition to many scheduled talks, debates and clubs.
Girls can join the Social Committee to help organise
events such as the Summer Ball, undertake voluntary
work, join the Charity Committee or take the Leiths
Certificate in Food and Wine.
As the most senior members of the School, all Sixth
Form girls become involved with school leadership
opportunities in the Senior and Prep school and join the
team of Prefects. Head Girls and Hall Captains are
elected from the Upper Sixth by the Sixth Form and
staff, and play a key part in day-to-day school activities.
Many Sixth Form girls enjoy the added responsibility and
contact they have with the rest of the school and many
of the ideas for new activities come from the girls
themselves.
Eco and the Environment
We are one of only 27 schools in the country, and the
only one in the South West to hold the Eco Schools
Ambassador Award, demonstrating green issues and
sustainability are embedded into the ethos of the school.
We utilise our rural environment by bringing learning
outside the classroom to life by using our unique Nature
Reserve where the girls undertake an extensive Ecoactivities programme, including Bushcraft.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
In the Senior School the National Curriculum is taught
but the school is not limited by it.
In KS3, Senior 1 – 3 girls study the following subjects:
English
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
French
German or Spanish
History
Home Technology
Art
Design Technology
Music
Physical Education
ICT
Religious Studies
Classics
PHSE
Drama
Latin (optional)
Careers (Senior 3)
In KS4, Senior 4 and 5, GCSE courses are followed.
Generally, girls study nine or ten GCSE subjects but the
curriculum is individually tailored and girls may take
more or less as appropriate.
English Literature
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Optional subjects:
French
Geography
History
German
Spanish
Music
Classics
Art (Fine Art & Art Textiles)
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Classical Civilisation
Drama & Theatre Studies
Economics
Latin
Music & Music Technology
Philosophy of Religion
English Literature
French
Geography
German
History
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics
Spanish
Psychology
Optional Sixth Form courses include the popular Leiths
Certificate in Food and Wine.
Additional Qualifications
Core subjects:
English
Biology
In the Sixth Form, a wide range of GCE AS and A
level courses are offered. Students joining the Sixth
Form usually study four (sometimes five) AS level
subjects in the Lower Sixth year, reducing these to three
or four subjects which are continued to A level in the
Upper Sixth.
Religious Studies
Food & Nutrition
Design Technology
Physical Education
Drama & Theatre Studies
Art & Design
Latin
Setting in Mathematics and Languages starts in Senior 1.
English is set from Senior 2 and Science from Senior 3.
Setting continues for core subjects to GCSE.
Latest GCSE Results were excellent, with 94% of girls
achieving A* - C grades, and just under half of all grades
being the top A* or A grades. These results are all the
more remarkable given that the school is not
academically selective. Bruton School for Girls is in the
top 25% of schools in the UK for Added Value, which
means that on average, we add approximately one grade
to a girl’s predicted performance across every subject at
GCSE.
The Latest A-Level results build on our reputation for
achieving top academic results in Somerset. 85% of all
students gained A*-C grades with an impressive 75% of
the A level cohort achieving either an A or A* grade.
The vast majority of girls were offered places by their
first choice university.
All Sixth Form students take part in English Speaking
Board exams. Students are also encouraged to take up
additional paid courses which offer extra qualifications to
enhance their all-round education, experience and CV.
These cover qualifications such as First Aid at Work,
Outdoor First Aid, Lifesaving, Hockey Umpiring etc.
Girls can participate in survival skills with Bushcraft
training within our unique Nature Reserve in the school
grounds and trips out to a local Bushcraft dwelling in the
woods. Sessions often include shelter-building, firecraft, knife-craft, plantlore and foraging.
Information and Communications Technology
Careers Resources
ICT plays an important role in the overall education of
each student and is included in the curriculum. The
School is well equipped with ICT suites and up-to-date
devices such as iPads. Most of the School and all of the
Boarding Houses and Sixth Form Centre have Wi-Fi to
enable the use of mobile devices. Sixth Formers may
book out devices as required.
The well-stocked Careers Resource Centre is open for
students to research and seek advice on Universities,
Colleges and other organisations. Students can access
information about specific courses, open days, financial
matters, taking gap years and employment routes as well
as cultural, social and sporting opportunities. Guidance
on UCAS application procedures, including entrance to
Oxford and Cambridge, is available together with
information and advice about CVs, the preparation of
personal statements and interview techniques. All
members of the Lower Sixth attend the annual Higher
Education Convention at Bath or Exeter University
where they have the opportunity to talk to Admissions
Tutors and find out more about the institutions in which
they are interested. We run a Careers Seminar Day for
the Sixth Form and also a Careers Fair for all girls on a
bi-annual basis.
Individual Skills Development
The School has an excellent Skills Development Unit to
support pupils throughout the school who have
additional learning needs. The Department comprises
specialist staff to teach literacy and numeracy skills.
Lessons are delivered as one or two half-hour sessions
per week, and offer a cumulative structured and
multisensory programme of learning. Close monitoring
of girls by academic and pastoral staff help identify any
learning difficulties that may require additional support.
Assessment and Reporting
Students take an internal mid-year test to monitor
progress with results being sent home to parents. At the
end of the Autumn and Summer terms, detailed reports
for each subject are sent to parents or guardians with a
full review of progress and, where appropriate, advice is
given for future subject choices. Grades are awarded for
both effort and attainment in each subject.
There is an opportunity for parents or guardians to
discuss their daughter’s progress at regular Parents’
Evenings, with girls from Senior 3 upwards in
attendance.
The Library
The school Library provides a very pleasant working
environment and has a wide range of resources. New
books are regularly obtained taking into account changes
in syllabus for factual resources together with an
extensive fiction collection. There are a range of
newspapers and journals which students can access as
required.
PASTORAL CARE
Halls and Tutor Groups
Girls undergo much emotional and intellectual
development between the ages of 11 and 18. A
framework of pastoral support is provided through the
Hall and Tutor Group system. Each girl is in the care of
a tutor and belongs to one of four Halls (Stourhead,
Montacute, Longleat and Hadspen). In Senior 1-5, tutor
groups are of mixed ages. In the Sixth Form, Lower
Sixth and Upper Sixth students are combined within
tutor groups.
The tutor meets members of the tutor group on a daily
basis, getting to know them well and overseeing the
welfare and progress of each pupil. He or she is the
principal point of pastoral contact for girls, parents and
subject teachers through the Senior School and Sixth
Form.
Heads of Hall liaise with tutors and teachers and
carefully monitor the progress of every girl throughout
her time at the school. A wide range of inter-hall
activities including charity events, music, drama, sport
and public speaking, promote a spirit of positive
competition and the opportunity for friendships across
year groups. The Hall and Tutor Group system
enhances the girls’ ability to relate to others and be a
valued member of the School community.
Sixth Form
Girls are not expected to undertake the adjustment from
GCSE to A Level without a great deal of individual
assistance and advice. Girls attend seminars and tutorials
covering issues to help them develop skills for
independent study, examinations and interviews. The
systems of monitoring and support are very much based
upon personal knowledge of the students and one-toone conversations with the individual. A personal tutor
is the primary point of contact on a daily basis and it is
with the tutor, in the first instance, that discussions will
take place regarding academic and personal progress, and
guidance about future education and employment.
Rewards and Sanctions
Each pupil is expected to try their hardest to achieve,
have consideration for others and respect the property of
other people and the school. Pupils are encouraged to
be well behaved and are rewarded by frequent expression
of approval by staff, and by the generous use of rewards.
Effort and attainment are rewarded by Honourables,
Games Colours and Prizes at Speech Day. Good
conduct is recognised through Hall Marks. Letters of
congratulations are sent to parents by the Headmistress
and public verbal praise is often given in Assembly.
Sanctions are used sparingly. Further information on
rewards and sanctions can be found in the School’s
Discipline Policy available on request.
Medical Care
The School has its own Medical Centre with a qualified
nursing Sister on duty every weekday during term time.
The school is supported by a Counsellor and Bruton
Surgery which offers comprehensive medical care. If
boarding pupils are taken ill during the night, they are
treated initially by the fully First Aid trained House Staff
and, if necessary, further professional medical care is
sought.
BOARDING AT BRUTON
Senior school boarders are accommodated in three
houses: Highcroft for the Sixth Form, Cumberlege for
the GCSE years and Old Vicarage for the younger years
together with our Sunny Hill Prep boarders. They
provide a ‘home from home’ atmosphere of warmth and
security, adapted to the age of the girls. Most GCSE and
all Sixth Form students have individual study bedrooms
and Sixth Formers enjoy a degree of freedom that
provides a bridge between school and university.
The boarding houses offer comfortable and wellappointed accommodation with common rooms, games
rooms, kitchens and dining areas as well as access to
computer facilities and telephones. Younger girls share
dormitories while Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Form students
enjoy their own study bedrooms or, in Senior 4, may
share with one other girl. All the boarding houses are
situated on the school campus.
The school’s aim is to provide a safe boarding
environment which reflects the qualities of good home
life, nurturing the younger children and guiding them
through adolescence towards maturity. By fostering selfdiscipline and offering the opportunity to handle
responsibility, we promote social confidence and
assurance without arrogance. Each of our experienced
teams of house staff operate under the supervision of the
Senior Housemistress and provide the care, comfort and
support which is so important for the girls’ well-being
and success. They ensure that all girls feel that the
boarding house is a ‘home away from home’, a relaxing
environment with an extended family of friends, many of
whom become friends for life.
Boarding Options
There are three types of boarding and we are very
flexible in our approach.
Full Boarding offers the full benefits of immersing the
girls in life at the School. A comprehensive programme
of activities is arranged every weekend. On Saturdays,
there are visits to local cinemas, theatres, theme parks,
shopping and cultural trips to Bath, Bristol and local
National Trust sites. On Sunday mornings girls attend
Church locally, and in the afternoons, quieter activities
such as quizzes, treasure hunts or local walks are
arranged. There are opportunities for sports such as iceskating, horse riding, dry skiing and canoeing. Girls can
participate in numerous competitive sporting fixtures
representing the School or simply relax out of doors with
friends. Time is always set aside for the completion of
prep.
Weekly Boarding enables girls to go home for
weekends whilst participating fully in school life during
the week. Parents can collect their daughters from
school at the end of Friday afternoon and return on
Monday morning or Sunday evening if preferred.
Transport can be arranged as required.
Flexi-Boarding provides the opportunity for day girls
to enjoy the boarding experience as and when the need
arises. This is a ‘supper, bed and breakfast’ option
which, subject to availability, responds to the occasional
family need or a way for girls to maximise their
involvement in a particular activity at school, a wish to
be with friends or perhaps to celebrate a birthday!
Highcroft: Sixth Form Centre and Boarding house
Bruton School for Girls is a member of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA) and the Girls’ Schools Association
(GSA). We are accredited for the Forces Continuity of Education Allowance.
To register your interest or for further information please contact the Admissions Department