There are approximately 350 pupils in the school.  We have two Reception Classes and then children progress into the Infant Department, which comprises classes across Years 1 and 2.  From Year 3 to Year 11 there are two forms per year group. The Sixth Form is divided into five tutor groups which are made up of mixed Year 12/13 groups, providing close academic monitoring, careers advice and excellent pastoral care. The Preparatory Department is co-educational and the Senior School is currently single sex girls only but boys will be admitted into Years 7 and 12 from September 2010.

There is a small and welcoming boarding house which accommodates about 30 girl boarders in a family environment, offering termly, weekly and casual boarding.

In addition, there is a superb Nursery, with capacity for 60 children, which caters for children from 6 weeks to four years. It is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm each day, throughout the year. Nursery children usually progress into the Preparatory Department.  The Nursery Managers closely monitor the development of pre-school children and work with the Head of the Preparatory Department to ensure a smooth transition, including spending a morning during the year preceding entry with the current Reception Class to familiarise themselves with the environment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Why should I pay for my child to be educated when there are good state schools around which are free?

A.  Parents choose to buy an education at Peterborough High School for a number of reasons:

- Set sizes are small here so our teachers know every pupil very well indeed.  We look after them so that they learn as well as they possibly can and they are happy.  This attention, from the first days right up to Sixth Form, mean that pupils have an added advantage:  their teachers are watching them sensitively and assessing them frequently.

- We have a reputation as a small and friendly school where everyone knows everyone else.  We teach and treasure traditional values of kindness and courtesy.  There are no crowds to get lost in and any bullying or unpleasantness is picked up immediately and sorted out.

- Peterborough High School is a boarding school as well as a day school so it has much more than a 9.00 to 4.00 programme, running every day during term time.  This means that children develop their characters beyond just the academic.  Sport is played seriously and to a very high standard.  The Arts are hugely important to us:  unlike in larger schools, you don't have to wait until you're older to perform in productions.  From the beginning, our children are encouraged to sing in choirs, play in ensembles, act in shows, speak in public and be in a range of sports teams.

- A highly academic child should get good academic results in any school.  What Peterborough High School children gain is an 'edge' when it comes to competing and mixing with others from all walks of life.  The experiences that children have give them a combination of poise and self-confidence.  They become articulate and responsible young people with excellent interpersonal skills.

In short, what you are buying for your child at Peterborough High School is advantage, both in terms  of academic opportunities and the development of their personality and integrity.

Q. How do you set about getting a place?

 A.  All children firstly need to be registered with the school.  Registration is by completion and return of the Application Form, which is contained, along with the terms and conditions, in the annually updated Further Information brochure, together with the registration fee.  Parents will then be informed as to the next steps regarding assessment for entry.

Q. If I decide I would like my child to go to Peterborough High School, are there tests or examinations?

A.  Following registration, all children are assessed for entry.  There are different assessments, depending on age:

- Children wishing to be admitted to the Preparatory Department are invited to come in to school at a mutually convenient time for a Familiarisation Assessment Visit.  On this day, the child spends time in a class with their peers and stay with the children in their year group for the day, having lessons, lunch and breaks with them.  During this time the Form Tutor will make observations and administer small tests, depending on the age of the child.  A report is then compiled.  At the end of the day, the Head of Preparatory Department discusses the report with the parents before the child is collected and a decision is usually reached at the time and a place may be offered.  Pre-school children are invited to spend half a day with the current Reception Class.

- Boys and girls wishing to enter Senior School in Year 7 need to be registered before the Entrance Examinations, which take place in the January preceding entry in the September.  Children come in to school for the whole day and sit the Examinations during the morning.  In the afternoon there are workshops and activities.  Candidates for the Music and Hannah Warner Art Scholarships attend auditions and interviews during the afternoon.

- Pupils wishing to enter Senior School in other year groups are usually assessed by sitting Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs).  The school also requests sight of the applicant's most recent reports and requests a reference from their current school.

- The usual criteria for entry into the Sixth Form (Year 12) is the attainment of a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade B, ideally with A grades in those subjects wished to be pursued at AS Level.  The Headmaster also likes to interview applicants and discuss subject options and a reference from the girl's current school is usually requested.

Q. I'd like to send my child to Peterborough High School but cannot afford the fees. Is there any help available?

A.  The school is a charity for educational purposes and we encourage applications from girls from all backgrounds.  In addition to the competitive scholarships, we have a means-tested bursary scheme wheich enables us to award financial assistance to Senior boys or girls who deserve an education at Peterborough High School.  No financial assistance is available to children in the Preparatory Department, except for the Cathedral Choristers, who are supported by Peterborough Cathedral.