AS STUDENTS settle back into school life, Bruton School for Girls marked the start of the new academic year by welcoming its highest number of new pupils in five years.

Headmistress Nicola Botterill said: “Once the ‘back to school’ nerves have subsided, our focus is on helping girls gain the confidence to be happy in themselves, to achieve their best and be ready for the wider world. Isn’t that what we all want for our children?

“As a relatively smaller school, we can offer greater one-to-one attention so that no student is allowed to hide in the background and everyone is encouraged to develop their individual spirit and character.

“Of course, achieving great academic results is equally important and the school’s strong A level and GCSE results, as well as glowing endorsements from The Good Schools Guide and Independent Schools Inspectorate, are a reflection of the school’s growing academic reputation.

"When anyone visits Bruton School for Girls, they always remark on the warmth and genuine friendliness of everyone. To find out for yourself why ‘a light should be shone on it’ come along to our next open morning on October 3 and, for GCSE students, we have our sixth form information evening on October 15.”