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North London Collegiate School, Edgware

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North London Collegiate School details

Address:

North London Collegiate School
Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ

Telephone:

020 89520912

Fax:

020 8951 1391

Email:

office@nlcs.org.uk

Website:

www.nlcs.org.uk

Authority:

Harrow

Gender of entry:

Girls

Age range:

4-18

Number of students:

1,057

Affiliation:

GSA

Gender of sixth form:

Girls

Last inspection:

March 2002. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: Bernice McCabe, appointed in June 1997.

Staff: 91 (men 26, women 96).

Motto: We Work in Hope.

Background: North London Collegiate, the top school in Britain for academic achievement, is the 2006 Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year. It won the inaugural award in 1999. The school was founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss, a pioneer of girls' education, became the model for girls' schools and remains a beacon of good practice. Set in 30-acre grounds in Edgware, north London, the school front is an 18th-century house surrounded by gardens. London's cosmopolitan mix is reflected in the roll and an extensive coach service brings girls from central London and surrounding counties. A substantial bursary and scholarship scheme perpetuates the founding ethos of opportunity. Girls are encouraged to follow their own interests, balancing self-discovery with an analytical approach to learning. The results are impressive. Last year 44 pupils won places at Oxford and Cambridge and the school gained the UK's best results in the International Baccalaureate in the first year of offering the exam. Sixth-formers share a busy symposia calendar with boys from Winchester College and Whitgift School. While academic excellence is the primary aim, the school places great importance on developing rounded individuals. There are 30 clubs and societies, and service to the community is encouraged. Girls take advantage of an extensive programme of field trips and overseas visits. A performing arts centre opens next year. The school holds an Artsmark Gold award.

Alumni: Rachel Weisz, actor; Esther Rantzen, TV presenter; Judith Weir, composer; Dr Tanya Byron, parenting psychologist; Marie Stopes, birth control pioneer.

Approach to discipline: The school aims to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect. There is a clearly define hierarchy of responses to inappropriate behaviour.

Uniform: The uniform colours are light-blue and brown. No uniform in sixth form.

Homework: Average 11-year-old, 15 hours a week; 14-year-old, 20 hours; 16-year-old, 25 hours.

Higher education: 100% (23 Oxford 21 Cambridge).

Special needs: For the few girls in the school who have various degrees of dyspraxia, the school uses the services of an experienced support teacher who advises girls and staff about suitable learning strategies, including the use of laptops in lessons.

Inspection: March 2002: The school provides an excellent all-round education for its pupils. At all levels it achieves very high standards within the context of a broad and stimulating curriculum that gives strong encouragement to independent learning and the development of critical thinking. The school is well led and governed. A continuing process of review and development planning underpins the headmistress's clear educational vision for the school.

Feeder schools: North London Collegiate Junior; North Bridge House; South Hampstead Junior; St Christopher's; St Helen's.

Girls' age range: 7 to 18.

Over-subscribed: 5:1.

Percentage admitted according to academic ability: 100.

Senior girls: 760.

Senior girls 11-18: Y.

Average class size (seniors; 11-16): 21.

Average class size (sixth form): 12.

Principle admission ages: 11+ (62), 16+ (28), Non-standard (3).

Gifted pupils: 51.

Bursary pupils: 52.

Bursaries: Music.

North London Collegiate School Statistics

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