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The Belvedere School, 貝爾威德瑞中學,貝爾威德瑞學校17 Belvidere Road, Princes Park, Liverpool L8 3TF
Tel: 0151 727 1284 Fax: 0151 727 0602
Website: 
• GIRLS, 3–18, Day
• Pupils 550, Upper sixth 55
• Termly fees £1383–£2310
• GSA, GDST
• Enquiries/application to the Headmistress

What it’s like
Opened in 1880 under the name of Liverpool High School, it has long been a part of Liverpool life and there are currently girls in the school representing at least three generations of their family to be educated there. It has a wide social spread. The senior school occupies six large Victorian houses (four of which are scheduled buildings) overlooking Prince’s Park. It has agreeable gardens and lawns and some sports facilities on site; others are nearby. There have been extensive additions, most recently refurbished facilities for technology; a sports hall and dining facilities. The junior department, including a nursery, is in a separate building nearby. A pleasant, friendly atmosphere prevails and the aim of the school is to educate the whole person. A general education is provided and examination results are very good; each year almost all sixth formers proceed to degree courses. There is a good variety of sports and games and a plentiful range of extra-curricular activities. The school also has a creditable record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s and Young Enterprise Award Schemes. It is the UK’s first Open Access independent school.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 550 day girls. Senior department 11–18, 430 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B and interview. 75% of intake to senior department from state schools.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Open Access scheme at age 11 (operated jointly by GDST and Sutton Trust pays fees and expenses, according to parental income). 8+ pa scholarships at 11 and 16 (some for daughters of chemists, grocers and travelling salesmen), value £300–50% fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; no other extras.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Gillian Richards, in post since 1997. Educated at Loughborough High and universities of Bangor and Reading (history). Previously Senior Teacher at Rhyl High School.
Teaching staff: 41 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover almost nil.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 57 pupils in upper fifth. 94% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 3% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 61 (58 over 5 years).
A-levels: 55 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 365.

University & college entrance 96% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course. 5% took courses in medicine and veterinary science, 7% in science & engineering, 22% in law, 16% in humanities & social sciences, 18% in vocational subjects eg computing. A few typically go on to art foundation or vocational courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS-level subjects, 20 A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies (A-level optional). 17% take science A-levels; 46% arts/humanities; 37% both.
Vocational: Careers department. Work experience available.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (German and Spanish are alternatives). Trips to France, Italy, Germany, Spain. Travel scholarship for sixth former.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 150 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. All pupils take IT to GCSE.

The arts
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument or singing; instrumental & vocal exams can be taken in addition to GCSE and A-level. Some 12 musical groups including orchestra, choirs, woodwind, string, brass, recorder groups, keyboard club. Members of county youth orchestra.
Drama: Drama offered and GCSE, A-level, LAMDA and Guildhall exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school and other productions.
Art & design: On average 24 take GCSE.

Sport & activities
Sport: Sportsmark Award. Lacrosse, netball, swimming, tennis, dance, gymnastics, self-defence, rounders, volleyball, basketball, badminton, trampoline, unihoc. 5 county/regional lacrosse players; some former pupils are national representatives.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; award-winning Young Enterprise; World Challenge. Up to 30 clubs, eg classics, various academic and music clubs, debating, drama, magazine committee, origami, craft.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: No houses or prefects; head girl and 2 deputies elected by school and staff.
Religion: All attend non-denominational assembly.
Social: Debates and occasional musical events with local schools. Trips abroad arranged each year. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike. Meals self-service, cashless swipe-card system. Strong pastoral support system. No tobacco or alcohol allowed. Full-time school nurse.

Discipline Punishment appropriate to offence. Detention is given for continuous unsatisfactory work.

Alumni association is run by Mrs E Fanning

Former pupils Dame Rose Heilbron (High Court Judge); Alyson Bailes (UK Ambassador to Finland); Muriel St Clare Byrne (writer); Anita Samuels (former High Sheriff of Merseyside); Esther McVey (TV presenter); Linda Grant (writer and winner of Orange prize for fiction).