Founded in 1931 and predominantly a sixth form college. Over 80% of students are taking exams for the first time. It is housed in modern premises in central London and is well served by public transport. It is well-equipped with a library, laboratories, student common room, studios for art, photography and music, a theatre and excellent IT facilities. Examination results are very good. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed but this is not at the expense of disciplined approach to study. The staff expect high standards from students; attendance is monitored at each lesson and those who do not hand in work on time are required to attend supervised study. E-learning is fully embedded, supporting the traditional small-group teaching approach.
Pupils: Age range 14-20; 320 day pupils (170 boys, 150 girls). Entrance: Main entry is 16 (but also possible at 14, 15, 17 and 18). 40% international students. No entrance exam but interview; also 5 GCSEs, at least grade C in sixth-form subjects.
5 pa major sixth-form scholarships (£32,000). 15 pa bursaries based on financial need.
60% live within 30 miles, 40% live overseas.
Principal: David Lowe, in post from 2007. Educated at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, and Cambridge University (English; choral scholar). Previously Principal of Cambridge Tutors College, Deputy Head of Douai School and Head of English at Caterham. Teaching staff: 40 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 36.
GCSE: 36 pupils in Year 11: 85% gained at least grade C. A-levels: 114 in upper sixth, 98% passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of approximately 270.
99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 7% to courses in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, 18% in science and engineering, 15% computing and information science, 60% social science, business, economics, arts and media.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 40 AS and A-level subjects offered. Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 11% take science A-levels; 56% arts/humanities; 33% combinations. Also special programmes for those applying to medical school and to Oxbridge. Special provision: Caters for dyslexic students. Languages: Italian, German, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian offered to A-level. ICT: 70 computers for pupil use (11 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Music and music technology A-level offered. Lunchtime concerts. Drama: A-level theatre studies offered and LAMDA exams may be taken. College drama productions. Art and design: Painting and drawing, graphics, photography, textiles, graphics, pottery and sculpture all offered.
Sports: No compulsory sports post GCSE; transport provided to sports centre nearby. Activities: Weekly programme for sixth form: film making, drama, pottery, photography, football, DLD Netzine (college on-line newspaper), making music video/CD in a music studio, College council.
Uniform: None. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Students may bring own car, bike or motorbike to school.
Any student failing to produce homework once would have an interview with personal tutor and Director of Studies; support measures would be put in place followed by close monitoring. Any student caught smoking cannabis on the premises would be sent to be drug-tested and temporarily excluded pending investigation; on return, the student would be required to sign a contract and be subject to re-testing at any time. Drugs awareness features on PSHE programme.
Mark Lester; Martin Amis (novelist).
|
