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 ............................................................................

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

WHY CHOOSE BRUTON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS?

BSG Bus Route Map

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 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.

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.

Senior School production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’

THE SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Girls aged 11 – 18 years

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.

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.

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,

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.

Uniform and Appearance

All students are expected to look smart and well-

presented. 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 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 extra-

curricular 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 Eco-

activities programme, including Bushcraft.

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.

Core subjects:

English English Literature Mathematics

Biology Chemistry Physics

Optional subjects:

French Religious Studies

Geography Food & Nutrition

History Design Technology

German Physical Education

Spanish Drama & Theatre Studies

Music Art & Design

Classics 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.

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.

Art (Fine Art & Art Textiles) English Literature Music & Music Technology

Biology French Philosophy of Religion & Religious Ethics

Business Studies Geography Physical Education

Chemistry German Physics

Classical Civilisation History Psychology

Drama & Theatre Studies Mathematics Spanish

Economics Further Mathematics

Latin Physics

Music & Music Technology Spanish

Philosophy of Religion Psychology

Optional Sixth Form courses include the popular Leiths

Certificate in Food and Wine.

Additional Qualifications

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, fire-

craft, knife-craft, plantlore and foraging.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Information and Communications Technology

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.

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.

Careers Resources

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.

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-to-

one 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.

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 well-

appointed accommodation with common rooms, games

rooms, kitchens and dining areas as well as access to

computer facilities and telephones. Younger girls share

BOARDING AT BRUTON

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 self-

discipline 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 ice-skating, 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!

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

Highcroft: Sixth Form Centre and Boarding house