It is 130 years since Miss Mary Broad founded a school for girls in Norwich Avenue, Bournemouth, and today the successful independent school catering for pupils from 3 -18 years is as popular as ever.

Bournemouth High School, later renamed Talbot Heath School, was a school for girls ahead of its time with an aim to provide a liberal education equal to that of the best public school available at low fees to girls from the professional classes.

A pioneering educationalist, Miss Broad shocked Victorian Bournemouth by taking her girls on nature walks and rambles where they 'would behave with the abandon of boys'.

Locals described Miss Broad as a 'young', high spirited headmistress who carried out her own ideas disregarding criticism'.

Some thought the school undisciplined but Miss Broad wanted to give her pupils a certain amount of freedom and independence.

She did not expel pupils who seemed hopeless cases, preferring to 'mend them' rather than 'send them'. It was the character that counted. Her pupils were not turned out of the same pattern. The purpose of the school was not only to train the mind but also the soul.

Pupils enjoyed a wider education than most young women might expect at the time with a curriculum of French, German, Latin, music, scripture, literature and mathematics with plenty of homework, including learning verses from the Bible.

They played hockey and cricket and were drilled with dumb-bells, bar-bells and Indian clubs in Bournemouth's first school gymnasium. The school was also the first to have a domestic science department.

Miss Broad was one of the first teachers to take her pupils on trips abroad and organising visits to Germany, Italy, Belgium, France and Switzerland.

She fought hard for the survival and development of the school, working tirelessly to secure the financial future of the school, sacrificing much of her own personal wealth for the school's benefit.

She launched many appeals to secure funding projects which would allow the expansion of the school so her pupils would have the best possible education.

On her retirement in 1924, after 39 years as head, Miss Broad message to pupils was, ' the glory of life is to love not to be loved; to give, not to get; to serve not to be served'.

After Cicely Frideswide Stocks took over as head a new Physics lab was built in the playground and an eight 'Halls' system was introduced with houses of different colours and names of famous men of the sea.

Three years later land was acquired at Talbot Heath to build a new school. In 1935 Miss Broad and the Archbishop of York officially opened the school, now re-named Talbot Heath School.

In World War Two Talbot Heath School remained open and hosted pupils from St Anne's School, Southampton. The air raid shelter was later renovated for the school's 125th anniversary.

Between 1947- 1955 Janet Muroe Taylor was in charge. She supported the Old Girls Chronicle and wrote to each pupil when they left the school. In 1950 the prefect system was created and a wild pool for botanical study was built.

During Alexina Macpherson's 20 years as headmistress a new summer uniform and hat was introduced. A new biology lab, science workshop and 'A' level Botany, Zoology and Physics lab, Art School, sixth form classroom, needlework room and sports pavilion were built. In 1972 a swimming pool was opened after enormous fundraising efforts.

Under Clare Austin-Smith's leadership between a Creative Arts building was built in 1978 and two years later the junior school moved to St Margaret's. The 'Halls' system was revived. The sports hall was completed to coincide with the 100th anniversary and the Queensmount Music block opened.

After Christine Dipple became head in 1991 the pre-preparatory school opened admitting boys and girls into the school from age three. The Jubilee Hall was completed and the Science block opened, the art rooms moved and ICT rooms were created.

Closer links were forged with BSO in 2005, providing their community musician with a base. The Tennis Academy started in conjunction with the West Hants Club and Lawn Tennis Association and in 2008 Talbot Heath became twinned with College St Emmanuel in Rwanda.

The whole school will mark the 130th milestone on April 29 with the traditional birthday celebration and iPledge 130 challenges. All the money raised will support the community of Dufatanye Nyanza in Rwanda.

They will also be celebrating the anniversary at Talbot Heath with 'Modernism on Sea' literary, art and design festival with the Arts University Bournemouth and Russell Cotes Museum on July 2 and 3. A reunion of former pupils is being held on July 2. Contact the 'Old Girl' secretary Celia Wood on 01747 870930.