Wycombe Abbey
Wycombe Abbey is an independent girls' boarding school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. It is academically one of the top schools in the United Kingdom, and the top girls' boarding school (in terms of academic results). The School was founded in 1896 by Frances Dove (later knighted and known as Dame Frances Dove), who was previously headmistress of St Leonards School in Scotland. Its present capacity is approximately 540 girls, aged 11 to 18. The school is situated in 160 acres (650,000 m²) of ground in central High Wycombe. The land includes woods, gardens and a lake, and rises up to 500 feet (150 m) above sea level in the Chiltern Hills. The land is owned freehold by the school.The Good Schools Guide described the school as "Well-known, well respected, traditional girls' boarding school which suits self-starters and undoubtedly does well by them."As at most public schools, the pupils are divided into Houses. The Houses at Wycombe Abbey are: Airlie, Barry, Butler, Campbell, Cloister, Pitt, Rubens, Shelburne and Wendover. Girls in UVI live in Clarence, while the junior-most girls, UIIIs, live in Junior House. Every house at Wycombe Abbey is linked to a colour and, as part of the school uniform, girls wear ties which correspond to their House colour ie pale blue - Barry, green - Cloister, brown - Airlie, pink - Rubens, yellow - Pitt, orange - Butler, purple - Campbell, dark blue - Shelburne, red - Wendover. Each girl also has her own 'House Mother', a girl in the year above in the same House who looks after her, particularly when new to the School. Each House has a Housemistress and Matrons. The current Headmistress is Cynthia Hall who was previously Headmistress of St Helen's and St Katherine's School, Abingdon, Berkshire. Mrs Hall is retiring at the end of this academic year, and will be replaced by Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, currently Principal and Chief Executive of Harrogate Ladies' College.
