SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM INFORMATION

CONTENTS

Why Choose Us? ................................................................................

.The Senior School and Sixth Form…………………………….

Academic Excellence ..........................................................................

Pastoral Care .......................................................................................

Boarding at Bruton ............................................................................

How to Find Us ………………………………………………

We are passionate about, and experts in, girls’ education. We offer every girl a well-rounded education in a

beautiful, rural environment that will 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.

WHY CHOOSE BRUTON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS?

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 are in Senior 1 (Year 7), Senior 3 (Year 9) and Lower Sixth. However, girls also join the school in Senior 2 (Year 8) and Senior 4 (Year 10) when GCSE courses begin. Girls 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 DAY AND BEYOND 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 the

boarding house. Supper is served from 5.45pm – 6.15pm and girls can be collected from the boarding house

after this time if required.

Girls are expected to do prep each evening. The time allocation for homework increases from 1½ hours per

day (25 minutes per subject) in Senior 1 to 2½-3 hours (40 minutes per subject) 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 sports 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.

The School’s philosophy is that the top grades should be seen as realistic targets within their reach. Girls are

encouraged to set challenging goals, display independence of thought

and judgement and enjoy learning. Most girls gain places at their first

choice of university.

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. 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.

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.

Clubs and activities may include the Duke of Edinburgh Award

scheme, horse riding, cooks club, eco-squad, debating and

archery among others. In addition, a range of different musical

instruments are available and sporting activities include netball,

athletics, tennis and hockey. Talented sportswomen are given

every opportunity to excel, and with clubs sport can be played

every day.

Involvement in charitable projects for the local, wider and international community fosters awareness and

understanding of the world and the girls’ activities throughout the year raise money to benefit worthy causes. In

addition, girls are encouraged to have a healthy social life with the opportunity to attend 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 to develop new skills, increase their knowledge of different activities and enjoy participating in team games 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.

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 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 (within the school’s Sixth Form dress code).

LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM

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.

Highcroft Sixth Form Centre 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.

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.

Careers Resources The Careers Resource Centre is located in Highcroft and has an excellent range of materials 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.

University Destinations Our girls go on to study at a wide range of ‘Russell Group’ and ‘1994 Group’ universities amongst others, such

as Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, UCL, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle,

Nottingham, Oxford, Southampton, and Warwick. Subjects read include Art, Accountancy & Finance,

Biochemistry, Business, Classics, Event Management, Maths, Medicine, Law, Natural Sciences, 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.

Senior School

In Senior 1 – 3 (KS3) girls study the following subjects: English Mathematics Biology Chemistry Physics Geography French German (Senior 2) History Food & Nutrition Art Design Technology (Textiles) Music Physical Education Computing Religious Studies PSHEE Drama Latin (Senior 3) Careers (Senior 3) In Senior 4 and 5 (KS4) 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 History

German Spanish

Drama & Theatre Studies

Music Art & Design

Design Technology (Textiles)

Latin Computer Science

In the Sixth Form, a wide range of A level courses are offered. Students in the Sixth Form study three A level subjects and are encouraged to take up the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Additional Qualifications All Sixth Form students take part in English Speaking Board exams. Students are offered the opportunity to

participate in additional paid courses which offer extra qualifications to enhance their all-round education,

experience and CV. These cover qualifications such as First Aid, Lifesaving, Hockey Umpiring and the Leiths

Certificate in Food and Wine.

A BROAD AND CREATIVE CURRICULUM

Academic Excellence

Our results are regularly excellent. We are in the Top 4 schools in the UK for A level results (in The Telegraph’s list of Small Independent Schools 2017). This year we celebrated our best set of A level results with 54% of all grades awarded A or A* and 75% of all grades B or higher. Nearly all girls were offered places at their first choice university. At GCSE 97% of students achieved five or more A* to C grades and almost a quarter of all grades scored the top A* - high above the national average. We are most proud of the value we add to the expected outcomes for our pupils, which shows that each girl significantly exceeds her expected grades. 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, from Senior 3 upwards the girls are also invited to attend.

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 1-3, tutor groups are of

mixed ages and in Senior 4 and Senior 5 and the Sixth Form 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 Year 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, co-ordinated by the Head of Hall,

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.

Boarders from Senior 1 are accommodated in Cumberlege House to the end of the GCSE years, and for the

Sixth Form move to the dedicated Highcroft Sixth Form Centre. Cumberlege Cottage houses our Sunny Hill

Prep boarders. The boarding houses provide a ‘home from home’ atmosphere of warmth and security, adapted

to the age of the girls. Most GCSE (Year 11) 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, kitchens and dining

areas as well as access to computer facilities and telephones.

Younger girls share dormitories while older students share

with one other girl or enjoy their own study bedrooms.

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 Head of

Boarding 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 weekend activities is arranged. On Saturdays, there may be shopping and cultural trips to Bath, Bristol and local National Trust sites, theatres or theme parks. On Sunday mornings girls attend Church locally, and in the afternoons, quieter activities such as quizzes, treasure hunts or local walks are arranged. Girls can participate in 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.

BOARDING AT BRUTON

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, Bristol

and Salisbury. 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 two hours or to Exeter within the hour. The School can organise taxi transportation for

boarders between London Heathrow and Bruton at the beginning of each term and at the end of term there

is a coach service to London Heathrow. We can also arrange transport 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 five 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.

Bruton School for Girls is a member of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA) and the Girls’ Schools

Association (GSA).

To register your interest or for further information please contact the Admissions Department