Founded in 1855, originally for sons of doctors, the school retains strong medical links. It is on a fine 80-acre site, close to open countryside on Epsom Downs and 15 miles from central London. The main buildings are of handsome Victorian architecture and have been imaginatively adapted for new facilities. There has been much modernisation and extension in recent years, and the college is now very well equipped. There is a fine chapel at the centre of the college, with worship according to the Church of England. Now fully co-educational, girls were accepted into the sixth form in the 1970s and throughout the school from 1996. It is a school which expects pupils to aim for high academic standards and at the same time to be fully involved in the general life of an active community. Examination results are very good. It is very strong in music, art and drama. A wide range of sport and games (with many national and county representatives), plus a large number of clubs and societies. A substantial commitment to local community schemes and charitable contributions.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 722 pupils, 352 day (216 boys, 136 girls), 370 boarding (247 boys, 123 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. For sixth form entry, 7 GCSE passes at least grade B, interview, tests and school reports. No special skills or religious requirements; school looks for evidence of academic promise and all-round contribution to the school. State school entry 7% at 13, plus 15% new entrants to sixth form.
65 pa scholarships (45 at age 13 and 20 at 16): academic, all-rounder, design technology, drama/dance, art, music, sport; maximum value £2000 but can be supplemented by a bursary if necessary. 50+ pa means-tested bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music tuition only major extra.
20+% in industry or commerce; 20+% are doctors, lawyers etc. 70+% live within 30 miles; up to 20% live overseas.
Headmaster: Stephen Borthwick, in post from 2000. Educated at Bangor University (physics). Previously Headmaster at Aldenham, Deputy Head at Bishop's Stortford, Head of Physics and Technology at Marlborough and taught at Rugby and Bloxham. Teaching staff: 85 full time, 30+ part time (mostly music and language assistants). Annual turnover 6%. Average age 44.
GCSE: 131 pupils in fifth form: 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 165 in upper sixth: 22% passed in 4+ subjects; 78% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 388.
Almost all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, several to Oxbridge. High numbers of pupils go on to study medicine and other sciences; law also popular.
IGCSE/GCSE, AS, A-levels and Pre-U English. 24+ subjects at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: A successful learning support department and EAL provision, including preparation for IELTs. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. Over 500 networked computers with email and internet access; some pupils also have own laptops.
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams regularly taken. Musical groups including orchestra, chapel choir, choral society, concert band, madrigals, various ensembles. Drama and dance: Drama and theatre studies offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Major recent productions include The Coronation of Poppea and Sweeney Todd. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Pottery also offered. Pupils regularly go on to art college.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics, swimming, tennis are major sports. Other sports: badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, polo, sailing, target rifle shooting, squash, volleyball. Sixth form only: soccer. Strong county representation in all age groups at rugby, hockey, cricket, squash, netball, athletics, cross-country. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 14: strong emphasis on leadership training for cadets. Many hold first-aid qualifications, numerous outdoor pursuits; outstanding shooting record. Community service optional for 2 years at age 16. Up to 30 clubs, including bridge, chess, computing, photography, pottery, craft and textiles.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (7 boys, 5 girls). Prefects, head boy/girl and head of house, appointed by the Headmaster, housemaster/mistress. Leadership and management courses for all prefects. Religion: Church of England. Worship compulsory except for practising members of non-Christian religions; Hindu and Muslim worship provided. School chaplain. Social: Debates, intellectual societies and sporting competitions with other schools. Average of 5 trips abroad a year. Upper sixth allowed (with permission) to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School store and tuck shop. Upper sixth allowed beer or wine with meal on supervised occasions.
All breaches of discipline dealt with according to the circumstances. Zero tolerance policy on drugs; pupils handling/dealing with drugs can expect to be asked to leave.
15% have own study bedroom, 65% share; first years in dormitories of 3-4. Single-sex houses, of about 60. Five qualified nurses. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. 2 exeats a term plus half term, variable length. Visits to the local town allowed.
is run by Mrs S Croucher, c/o the college.
Graham Sutherland, John Piper (artists); Nicholas Witchell (BBC royal correspondent); Lord (Alex) Carlile (lawyer); Mark Mardell (BBC's North America editor); Jeremy Vine (journalist and writer); Johnny Maitland (writer and presenter).
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