Founded in 1862, it became a prominent public school very quickly. It first accepted girls in 1987 and was the first of the great Victorian foundations to adopt co-education at all levels. It is fortunate in its situation above the city, on the edge of Clifton Downs and near open country. Its handsome buildings are neo-Tudor and neo-Gothic and stand in beautiful grounds. Much money has been invested in the school and its facilities are exceptionally good; recent improvements include an ICT centre, a large leisure development with artificial pitches, a modern theatre and two superb libraries. The prep and pre-prep schools are on adjoining sites. It provides a thoroughly good and liberal education and examination results are very good. Very strong indeed in music and the arts. A high standard in games and sports, with many national representatives (a new real tennis court and indoor tennis centre). There are numerous extra-curricular activities and a strong CCF. A big commitment to local community schemes and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Much use is made of Bristol's cultural amenities.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 700 pupils, 280 day (160 boys, 120 girls), 420 boarding (240 boys, 180 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13, 14 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least 3 at grade B, 3 grade C. No special skills or religious requirements. Small state school entry; some 65% of intake from own prep (enquiries to the Headmaster's Secretary, Clifton College Prep School, The Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HE; tel 0117 315 7502).
36 pa scholarships at 13 and 16, value up to 25% fees: 18 academic, 6 sport, 6 art, 6 music; plus 10 awarded in the prep school and carried through. Variable number of generous means-tested supplementary bursaries. Maximum extras £500.
30+% live within 30 miles; 15+% live overseas.
Headmaster: Mark Moore, in post from 2005. Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar and Cambridge University (English). Previously Head of English and Director of University Entrance at Radley. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 37.
GCSE: 118 pupils in fifth: 91% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 139 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 336.
90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 35% in science and engineering, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in art and design, 3% in music. Others typically go on to non-degree courses (sports management, marketing), art or music colleges or into careers (eg family business, services).
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 32 exam subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 24% take science A-levels; 44% arts/humanities; 32% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses, ICT taught as discrete units. Vocational: Work experience for all lower sixth. Special provision: Specialist teachers provide special needs tuition and EFL. Languages: French, German, Mandarin and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also GCSE Italian. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Spain, Mexico). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200+ computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All pupils take BTEC Level 2 online award in Year 9 and some take CIT certificates in sixth form.
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including orchestra, wind, jazz bands, choirs, a capella group. Members of National Youth Orchestra, local youth orchestras etc. Drama: Drama offered; GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. 11 pupil-directed plays a year. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery offered.
Sport: A major sport compulsory for first year. Options: netball, hockey, soccer, cricket, rugby, rackets, fives, squash, tennis, rowing, swimming, fencing, athletics. National teams at cricket, rugby, rowing etc; Girls' hockey particularly strong. Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF voluntary, community service is alternative. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, science, politics, green, philosophy, debating.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits an option for sixth form (boys and girls). Houses and prefects: Head of school, Prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster, after consultation. Religion: Church of England school welcoming all faiths. For Christians some Chapel services are compulsory, others voluntary. Has a Jewish community with own Synagogue. Observance of other cultural customs and dining requirements. Social: School debates, co-productions of plays, subject conferences with other local schools. Strong connection with, and organised trips to, earthquake-damaged school in Mexico City. Exchanges with France, Germany, Spain, Mexico. Meals self-service. School uniform, stationery and games shop. Social centre for over 17s.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention. School has a clear and firm policy on drugs and substances abuse.
25% have own study bedroom, 45% share with others; 30% are in study-bedrooms of 3-6. Single-sex houses of approximately 60. School doctor visits daily, two qualified nurses in health centre. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Flexible approach to boarding and exeats. Visits to the local town allowed with permission.
Old Clifton Society, is run by S J M Reece, c/o the College.
Clive Thomson (Rentokil); Peter Job (Reuters); Julian Richer (Richer Sounds); Lord (Clyde) Hewlett and Lord (Patrick) Jenkin (politicians); Sir Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, John Cleese, John Houseman and Simon Russell Beale (actors); Sir David Willcocks and Joseph Cooper (music); Mark Tully, David Bonavia, John Inverdale and Stephen Pile (media); James Kirtley (cricket); three nobel prize winners - Sir Nevill Mott (physicist), Sir John Hicks (economist), Sir John Cowdery Kendrew (chemist).
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