Colfe's

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What it's like

Founded in 1652 on a site below Blackheath. In 1964 it moved to Lee, in south-east London, to new purpose-built premises on a single urban site with 18 acres of pleasant grounds and playing fields and the Prep School (3-13) is on the same site. The school retains strong links with the Leathersellers' Company. It is a C of E foundation and worship and religious instruction are encouraged. Now fully co-educational; girls were admitted throughout the school from 1999, after many years of a co-educational sixth form. A very good general and academic education is provided and examination results are very good. There is a very strong music department involving a great many people, also much strength in drama and art. An excellent range of sports and games is available and high standards are attained. There is a good range of extra-curricular activities.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 1038 day pupils (646 boys, 392 girls). Senior department 11-18, 703 pupils (456 boys, 247 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. Candidates who are strong academically and in sports and music looked for; no religious requirements.

Scholarships & bursaries

A number of scholarships aawarded at 11, 13, 16: academic, music, drama, art, sport. Also means-tested bursaries, which may be up to 100% of fees in exceptional circumstances. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Richard Russell, in post from 2005. Educated at Cambridge University. Previously Deputy Warden at Forest and Director of Studies at Sevenoaks.

Exam results

GCSE: 107 pupils in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 80 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.1 subjects.

Pupils' destinations

96% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 11% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 75% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design. Others typically go on to non-degree courses or straight into careers.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22-23 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, many take AS-level general studies, some A-level. Special provision: for mild dyslexia. Languages: French, German, Latin and Spanish offered to GCSE and AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to Germany. Regular trips to France, (including a stay with a French family); study trips to Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject in Year 7 and across the curriculum thereafter, using specialist facilities in science, modern languages, media studies, art, music, history, geography, design and technology. Many computers spread across 2 specialist rooms, the library and departmental clusters, for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Approx 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestra, choir, flute choir, guitar group, band, wind ensemble, chamber choir and percussion group. Pupils in local youth orchestras. Some accepted to music colleges. Drama: GCSE and A-level drama may be taken. Many pupils involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Regular entrants to art college.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, football, cricket, tennis, golf, swimming, squash, athletics, sailing, hockey, netball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, windsurfing, cross-country, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, orienteering, skiing, fell-walking, riding and water polo available. County representatives in many sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Regular fund-raising for charity. Clubs include computer, technology, chess, crafts, debating, geography, film, history, photography, art, Christian Union, modelling, modern languages, maths, word games, science, forensic science, electronics, astronomy.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; business suits (boys), jacket (girls) in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head boy/girl, appointed by the Head and staff. Religion: Church of England school. Attendance at worship encouraged. Social: Occasional large-scale choral productions with other schools. Organised trips to France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, USA, Russia, Egypt, Switzerland, South Africa. Some meals formal, some self-service. School shop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect rebuke; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion.

Former pupils

Eric Ambler and Henry Williamson (novelists); Garry Bushell (journalist); Robert Key (England cricketer); sundry ambassadors.