Julie Cridland has two daughters at the school, in Year 1 and Year 4. She said: “We considered many other schools but from the moment we arrived here we were bowled over by the traditional values of the school and the first-class facilities.” We love the positive atmosphere, all the teachers are very encouraging and most importantly they all care.”

Sarah Collins, who has a 14-year-old daughter in Year 9, said: “It’s a small school which enables them to know the child as an individual. My daughter’s in her third year and they take into account her strengths and skills and build on them.” They identify a strength that sometimes they don’t know they have themselves.”

Penny Hockey has two daughters, aged 17 and 15, at the school. She said: “We’ve never looked back since they came here. I think one of the main attractions is the academic success and they really achieve their potential.”

but it’s also the way teachers encourage them to do all sorts of other activities.”

Eleven-year-old Amelia has been at the school since kindergarten. She said: “It gives you a lot of opportunities that you don’t usually get. It’s really enjoyable, you spend so much time with your friends learning new things.”

Sophie Buckle, 15, is in Year 11. She said: “It sounds corny but it really is like one big family here. The teaching’s really good. They cater for everybody’s special interests. I do lessons in drums here. It’s a positive experience.”

Karen Leahy, head of the junior school, said: “One of the great strengths is the confidence that the girls develop. It is commented on by everybody who comes into the school. I think that comes from the fact that they are happy.”