The School's central building was built in 1836 by the paper manufacturer, John Dickinson, as a home for him and his family and he named it Abbot's Hill.

The building material was unusual, being dark grey stone setts, taken from the railway lines when replaced by wooden sleepers.

In addition to their forms and year groups, the Prep and Senior girls belong to one of three pupil-led Clans - Cameron, Macneil and MacDonald, which act as the equivalent of houses - which provide the opportunity for competitions of many kinds.

The most public example of this was the success of Abbot's Hill pupil Zara Brownless, winner of 2011's BBC Young Apprentice.

The younger girls' activities include golf, calligraphy, science, art, sports, board games and dance.