The school was founded in 1597 by Richard Platt, a brewer. It occupies its original site, which has since been extended to more than 110 acres of grounds and farm land, in the Hertfordshire green belt 13 miles from London. The school has firm ties with the Worshipful Company of Brewers. The Elizabethan school was demolished in 1825. The buildings that replaced it have been upgraded and added to constantly, most recently a new classroom block, a prep school, a music school and floodlit artificial turf pitch, so as to maintain up-to-date, fully-equipped facilities in an historic framework. It is a Christian foundation and Christian ideals are evident in its structure and life but all denominations are welcome. A small school with a strong house structure for both boarders and day pupils, it enjoys a family atmosphere and has a reputation as a close-knit and supportive community. Girls have been accepted in the sixth form for over 30 years, and in the senior school from 2004; the co-educational prep school also opened in 2004. It seeks the all-round development of its pupils and sets high standards of achievement and mutual responsibility. Participation in an extensive games and activities programme is encouraged.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 700 pupils; 577 day (418 boys, 159 girls),123 boarding (97 boys, 26 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance (at 13) and own entrance test used plus interview and school reports; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). 50% of main senior intake from state schools. Many pupils from own prep department; other feeder schools include Edge Grove, Hendon Prep, Northwood Prep, St John's Northwood, St Martin's Northwood, York House.
Scholarships 20-30 pa - academic, art, music, sport, design technology.
Headmaster: James Fowler, in post since 2006. Educated at Merchant Taylors' (Northwood) and Oxford University (English). Previously Deputy Head at Highgate School and Head of Sixth form at Brentwood. Head of Prep School: Jason Whiskerd, in post since 2007. Educated at Llandovery and at Wales University (history). Previously Deputy Head at King's Junior School, Chester.
GCSE: On average, 72 pupils in fifth. 51% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 39% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 82 in upper sixth.
93% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (21% after a gap year). 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 19% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 70% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design. Others typically go on to art, drama or music colleges.
GCSE, AS- and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects offered, 26 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, general studies taught but not examined. 20% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 40% both. Vocational: European or UK work experience compulsory. Special provision: Extra help available, often one-to-one, for dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalcula. EFL tuition available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Exchanges to France and Germany and work experience arranged for lower sixth in France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught across the curriculum (eg history and geography). 153 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take ECDL.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Some 6 musical groups including orchestra, choir, 2 brass groups, jazz, concert band and string groups. Drama: Drama is part of curriculum. AS and A-level theatre studies may be taken. All pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, graphic design, sculpture also offered. Regular successes to foundation courses and art school.
Sport: Soccer, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics, tennis compulsory. Optional: fives, squash, cross-country, badminton, basketball, swimming, judo, sailing, climbing, dance, rounders, trampolining. England representatives at cricket, football, hockey and judo; county and regional representatives in all main sports. Activities: CCF Corps (army and RAF units). Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (1-2 golds on average each year). Community service optional at age 16. Up to 15 clubs, eg art, photography, computing, motor, chess, bridge, history, law, philosophy, debating.
Uniform: School uniform (unobtrusive) worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Houses form pastoral and social structure. School prefects appointed by the Headmaster; house prefects within the house. Religion: C of E foundation combining Christian worship and academic teaching, supplemented by a strong programme of voluntary worship. Non-Christians supported in the practice of their own religion. Social: Involvement in local competitions, joint events etc with local schools. Trips abroad and exchange systems eg skiing, World Challenge, classics and RS, art, sailing, cricket, geography, languages; expeditions (to eg Morocco, India). Upper sixth day pupils allowed to bring own car. Meals self-service. School shop. Sixth-form bar for over-17s.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to be placed in detention and reported to tutor/housemaster; any involvement in illegal drugs leads to expulsion.
Pupils in fifth and sixth forms have studies, some have study bedrooms. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook some food. Very flexible boarding/weekly boarding arrangements and pupils can return home every weekend or board for part of the week.
Jack de Manio (radio broadcaster), Dale Winton (television presenter), Karren Brady (MD of Birmingham City FC).
|
