----ENTRY 2009/10: ENTRANCE EXAM DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY----

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE READ WITH THE PROSPECTUS

Fees. Fees cover tuition, pupils' personal accident insurance (please ask for a leaflet about this), some stationery, text books and scientific materials and some curricular trips and field studies. Fees do not include school lunches. In the Senior School a cash cafeteria system operates; in the Junior Department all pupils are required to have school lunch and the cost is added to the fees account. Public exam fees charged by the Exam boards are included except that Re-marks requested by the Parents or Re-takes of modular A-levels will be charged extra at the Exam board rates. Optional extra subjects will be charged for direct by the School or the self-employed peripatetic teacher. Although paid monthly or termly, the fees are calculated on an annual basis. No reduction in fees is applicable during terms when there is less teaching because public exams are being revised for and taken. A small fee increase is expected from September 2008.

Payment of fees. All fees must be paid via the Bank direct debit system. As is the practice at all independent schools, the fees are due and payable termly in advance before the first day of the term concerned. However, the Trust operates a scheme whereby the fees may be paid by monthly instalments and an application form can be obtained by writing direct to the Fees Department of the Trust. The Trust's regulations relating to fees and notice are set out in the agreement between parents and the Trust.

These details are also stated on the fee account.

Registration and Entrance Exam Fees. A non-returnable fee of £75 is charged for administration and taking the Entrance Examination/Assessment. On accepting a place a Deposit of £350 is payable which is automatically refunded after the pupil has left (after deducting any outstanding amounts due to the school or the Trust). The Deposit is forfeit if the pupil does not take up the accepted place.

Scholarships. The Trust makes available to the School a number of scholarships each year for entry to the Senior School at both Year 7 (11+) and direct into the Sixth Form. The maximum value of a Trust Scholarship is half the current tuition fee but most awards are for small proportions. Scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of academic merit and no financial means test is involved.

Bursaries. The GDST Minerva Fund provides financial assistance to enable suitably qualified girls whose parents could not otherwise afford the fees to enter the Senior School at 11+ or direct into the Sixth Form. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of financial need though academic merit is taken into account. An application form can be obtained from the Admissions Secretary.

Short-term assistance. Bursaries are intended to provide financial assistance throughout a girl's time in the Senior School . However, it is recognised that occasion may arise when some form of short-term assistance is required and a small fund (the Centenary Fund) exists for this purpose. It is the policy of the Trust to make every effort to help if possible in order to avoid disruption of a girl's education at a critical point in cases of unexpected family financial difficulties.

Notices and Rules etc.

The Trust will give not less than one term's notice of any increase in the fees. In return, the Trust requires a full term's notice if parents decide to remove their daughter from the school for any reason, failing which a term's fees in lieu of notice will be payable in accordance with the arrangements set out in the agreement between the parents and the Trust.

Complaints. In the unlikely event of parents wishing to complain about a school, their complaint should be made initially to the Head. A copy of the Trust's official complaints procedure may be obtained from the school.

Permanent exclusion and temporary suspension. The Head has authority to suspend a pupil, or to exclude her permanently for due cause. Parents will be notified in writing of the reasons for suspension, and the consequences of a further misdemeanour or failure to improve. Permanent exclusion will only be enforced in cases of most serious misconduct, (for example, it is the policy of the Trust that any pupil who brings an illegal drug into school or is found with such a drug in her possession will be expelled). The Trust has a procedure for parents to appeal against permanent exclusion, and details of this will be provided in the very rare cases where it is necessary.

School Rules. The agreement between the parents and the Trust incorporates the school rules.

General

Medicals. Parents of all new pupils must return the school's medical questionnaire duly completed and signed, keeping a copy for reference.

No pupil who has been recently suffering from or in quarantine for any infectious or contagious illness will be allowed to attend school until permission has been given by her doctor. If during the term a pupil contracts or becomes exposed to any such illness, the Head must be informed immediately. If a pupil contracts an infectious illness during the holidays and is declared by a doctor as clear of the quarantine period and fit to return to school, she should bring with her a note at the beginning of term, so that her medical record can be kept up to date.

Absence. Pupils are not allowed to be absent, without permission from the Head, for any reason except illness or emergency. In such cases, parents should notify the school by phone prior to assembly on the first morning of absence indicating how long it is anticipated that the pupil will be absent. The pupil should bring a note of explanation on her return.

When leave of absence is desired for some special reason, a letter must be sent to the Head for her consideration well in advance of the day on which the pupil wishes to be absent.

If a girl feels ill whilst she is at school she must always see the School Nurse, who will decide whether to ask the parents to fetch her home or not. Girls should not phone asking their parents to collect them.

Pupils should endeavour to make routine appointments with dentists etc., during school holidays or out of school hours.

The School year. Each school sets its own term dates to suit local circumstances, but the terms must total 176 full days.

Transfer

Whilst it is anticipated that girls will transfer from Year 6 (Junior Department) to Year 7 ( Senior School ) and from Year 11 to Sixth Form, such transfer is not automatic. If in the opinion of the Head, after due deliberation, the pupil will not benefit from continued education at the School or has not attained a sufficiently high standard of work to benefit from continued education at the School, then parents will be advised in writing by the

•  Head. If this is the case then no less than one term's written notice will be given to the Parent or Guardian on or before the first day of that term.

•  In the case of Year 6 to Year 7 transfer the Parent will be advised in writing before the end of Year 5 of the targets to be attained for entry into Year 7.

•  In the case of Year 11 to Year 12 transfer the Parent will be advised in writing of the targets and, if relevant, the standards to be attained in the GCSE examination to qualify the Pupil for entry to the Sixth Form as soon as is reasonably practicable after the mock GCSE examinations and in any event no later than the end of the Spring term before the examination.

•  Sometimes pupils have to move home mid-course (or have other special circumstances) and want to transfer to another GDST school. We want to support such transfers, as long as they are the right ones educationally, and assess every case individually. A transfer will usually be agreed provided that there is a place available, and that the Head of the new school judges that the pupil will thrive there. The previous Head's recommendation is sought and some form of admissions assessment may be needed.

Health and Safety. The Trust takes its responsibilities for the health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors extremely seriously, and in the spirit of the law endeavours to encourage an environment in which everyone takes care for themselves and for others at all times.