The 1997 Public Examination results were once again distinguished. At A Level 11 of 16 subjects had 100% pass rates. 49% of passes were A-B grades and 70% A-C grades. Five girls gained 3 A grades and ten girls gained all A or B grades. The points score was 18.3. Two girls are proceeding to Oxford and Cambridge, two to Medical School. Year 11 leavers chosen courses were as varied as usual - Medicine at London and Leeds; Law at Oxford, Leeds and Northumbria. Other courses included Archaeology, Geophysics, Theology, European Studies and Business Administration and Dentistry. 

For the first time 100% of our GCSE candidates gained five or more A-C grades; the pass rate was 99.1%. 15.6% of entries gained A* grade and 35.1% A grade; 83% were A* - B grades. With only 4 D grades out of 431 entries, staff and pupils could celebrate an outstandingly successful year. Five girls gained all A* or A grades and 11 gained at least 8 A* or A grades. 

In the UK Junior Mathematical Challenge, girls in year 8 achieved 5 Gold, 5 Silver, and 9 Bronze Awards. Two girls qualified for the Junior Mathematical Olympiad and were among only 1000 of the 130,000-plus National entrants. 

Twenty-three year 10 girls volunteered for the Senior challenge. Two girls gained Gold Awards, and there were 4 Silver and 7 Bronze winners. 

The A Level Theatre Studies group produced a superb version of "A Doll's House" as part of their course. 

Extra-Curricular Activities 

Large numbers of Junior and Senior girls have instrumental lessons in school and can participate in choirs, orchestras and ensembles which perform in regular concerts. A performance of Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater" at Holy Trinity, Jesmond, brought together pupils, staff, parents and professional musicians. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is highly successful: 15 Gold, 21 Silver and 27 Bronze candidates participated last year. Girls organised a fund-raising Old-Time Musical and a regular luncheon club in conjunction with Age Concern. 

Young Enterprise was established as a Sixth Form activity last year. They produced a sell-out Children's Cook Book; all passed the examination (equivalent to 2 GCSEs), and were finalists in the local competition at our first attempt. 

Skiing trips and Summer activity holidays are regularly organised in conjunction with RGS. Girls also participated in the RGS German Exchange. 

The Senior Public Speaking team reached the National Finals of the Bar Council Competition and North of England Finals of the Observer Mace/ESU Competition. The Junior Team progressed to one step away from the National Finals of the Business and Professional Women's Competition. 

Sport 

The Under-14 Netball team won the County Championship, became Regional Champions and represented the North at the National Finals, finishing 6th in the County - a superb achievement. 

The Under-13 Swimming team won the Tyne and Wear Championship, and the Junior team were City champions. 

County representatives were chosen in Cross-country, Netball and Hockey. 

Recent Developments 

To confirm out commitment to the development of Modern Languages and IT skills throughout the school, all year 6 girls will study German as well as French before joining the Senior School (French is taught from Nursery). All girls will begin a second Modern Language in year 8. 

A second computer room has been established in the main Senior School building and the Science Department is now equipped with four new PC's. 

The After-School Care Scheme (from 4.00pm - 6.00pm) has become well-established in Westward.