When I was an undergraduate at Somerville I lived in a Banbury Road house a stone's throw away from where I now work. But in characteristic student fashion the only places on my radar were those associated with my life at the time - study and social.

So I didn't make acquaintance with the world behind the Victorian facade at is Wychwood School for another 12 years. . . but when I did I was really impressed.

Wychwood boasts a stunning art department, high & successful sciences, an English department with teachers of long standing reputation, energetically led and progressive departments in music and sport, languages and humanities with experienced and specialist teachers who organise trips and events which the girls thoroughly enjoy, and a large selection of other subjects offered at GCSE and A-Level.

In terms of facilities and curriculum opportunities we have so much more than people think. This is a world in which 21st century young girls grow into 21st century young women with the qualities, successes and interests to give them the best possible start in the worlds of adult and student life.

We will be opening our doors to visitors, adults and children alike, for our open evening on Wednesday, September 24, from 5.30-8.30pm and you are warmly invited to attend.

There will be opportunities to visit all our classrooms and to talk with staff and girls. The school may be small but this is one of our strengths, and this also means that no one need be excluded from any opportunities at any level.

In addition, Wychwood's particular brand of personal attention to the success and progress of the individual means that, although we have a mixed ability intake, our consistently excellent results are nearly always significantly better than more grades A*-C. Within this would have been predicted on entry.

These reflect hard work and dedication on the part of both staff and girls. Our latest A-Level and GCSE results show 100 per cent pass rate at A-Level yet again and 100 per cent of our GCSE students achieving five or there were, of course, straight A*s and As at GCSE and straight As at A-Level.

Our leavers go on to a variety of places, including Cambridge, Durham, Bristol, London and Edinburgh universities to name just a few, and Brookes, Banbury and Central St Martin's for Art foundation courses.

From the moment the girls arrive in Remove, we are on the alert for hidden (or obvious) talents and potential that we can encourage to blossom and provide a solid foundation for their fulfilment and future.

So, please come and see for yourselves on September 24. I shall be addressing prospective parents and pupils at 7pm and there will be short talks from some of the girls as well.

It promises to be a busy, informative and enjoyable evening. I just hope the rain holds off!

Susan Wingfield Digby, headmistress