Founded in 1881 as a boys' school, it is now fully co-educational having first accepted girls in 1972. It has a splendid site 3 miles north of Bury St Edmunds. The main building is Culford Hall, a palatial 18th-century mansion (formerly the seat of the Earl Cadogan), set in 480 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland. Numerous modern additions include a studio theatre, sports complex, indoor tennis centre, design and arts block, a fine library, and a science centre. The associated prep school is also in the park. It is a Methodist foundation but pupils of all denominations and none are welcome. The school's aim is to provide an education which is challenging, enriching and fun. It has a deep-rooted respect for tradition in good manners and behaviour and views education as something that goes on outside as well as inside the classroom. It seeks to establish a partnership with parents and expects pupils to work hard and make the most of their abilities and talents; examination results are good. Music and drama are vibrant, and there are many outdoor pursuits including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, CCF and world-wide expeditions. Sport and games are played to high standards, with many county and regional representatives, and there are close community service ties with the town.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 360 pupils, 205 day (110 boys, 95 girls), 155 boarding (80 boys, 75 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects ). Many senior pupils from its own prep, Culford Prep School.
22 pa scholarships awarded (14 at age 13, 8 at 16), value 25% of tuition fees: academic, all-rounder, art, music, science/technology, sport (including for tennis and cricket). Discretionary bursaries; Forces bursaries. Few extras.
70+% live within 30 miles; 15% live overseas.
Headmaster: Julian Johnson-Munday, in post from 2004. Educated at Norwich School and the universities of Leicester and Durham (MBA). Previously Deputy Headmaster at Mill Hill School, London. Teaching staff: 69 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 75 pupils in upper fifth, 93% gaining grade C or above in 5+ subjects. A-level: 72 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.4 subjects with a final point score of 347.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS-level subjects, 20 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; all take a sixth-form enrichment programme. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: For dyslexia, EAL. Languages: French, Latin, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (French compulsory from age 5-14). Exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Many networked computers for pupil use, with email and internet access.
Music: Some 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, choral society, wind band etc. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE and A-level drama, LAMDA, MIDDA exams may be taken. 3 school productions annually as well as house plays. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 20 A-level. A strength of the school. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, printmaking, scenery/props making all offered.
Sport: PE and swimming compulsory. Major games: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis (boys); hockey, netball, tennis (girls). Optional: athletics, rounders, golf, badminton, squash, volleyball, basketball, water polo, aerobics, gymnastics, sailing etc. Dedicated tennis and cricket academies offer high-level coaching programmes. GCSE and A-level may be taken. Regional representatives in rugby, hockey (boys and girls); regular county successes for teams and individuals at hockey, rugby, cricket, netball. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; over 60 pupils registered. CCF and community service optional. Over 60 clubs, eg chess, sub-aqua, aviation, arts, aerobics, badminton, recorder, science, expedition.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects, nominated by staff and pupils, appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Methodist foundation. Religious worship compulsory. Social: Many organised local events and trips abroad; expeditions to eg Malawi, Himalayas, North Africa. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed on school premises.
Pupils say that they feel confident in their understanding of the rules and that they are fair. Culford believes in the Christian ethos of the School and promotes self-respect, respect for others and respect for the environment in all it does. School attachs great importance to good manners, self discipline and service. Lying, bullying and stealing will not be tolerated; serious issues are rare but pupils breaking school rules on sexual behaviour and drugs must expect to be required to leave the school.
All upper sixth and some lower sixth have own study bedroom; most others in twin study bedrooms (no large dormitories). Single-sex houses, same as competitive houses. Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Exeats arranged in consultation with housemasters/mistresses. Visits to the local town allowed.
Old Culfordians is run from the Foundation Office at the school.
Sir David Plastow (formerly Vickers); Admiral Sir Derek Reffell; General Sir John McColl; John Motson (sports commentator); Judy Aslett (foreign correspondent ITN); Gary Newbon (Head of Sport, Central TV).
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