Formed in 2005 by the United Church Schools Trust from the merger of two schools: Embley Park School, founded in 1946 as a boys' school but which had accepted girls for some 15 years; and Atherley School, a girls' school founded in 1926. The resulting school is fully co-educational. It is housed in a country mansion (formerly the family home of Florence Nightingale) in 120 acres of private park, including wild gardens, woodland and a lake, and surrounded by splendid countryside bordering the New Forest. It has very good, modernised facilities, including a sports hall, science labs and ICT suites. The junior school is on the same site in separate, purpose-built accommodation. A sound general education is provided and examination results are good. There are strong drama, art and design and music departments and there is emphasis on games and activities. A good record of success has been achieved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 3-18; 767 pupils, 708 day (364 boys, 344 girls), 59 boarding (36 boys, 23 girls). Senior department, 11-18; 503 pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth form entry, ability to study and pass 3 A-levels minimum (GCSE grade B in sixth form subjects). Wide ability range accepted (105+ IQ) though most pupils will achieve 9 GCSEs; no special skills or religious requirements. 20% of main intake from state schools (plus 20% new entrants to sixth form). Many from own junior (enquiries to the Junior School Head's Secretary, Tel 01794 515737).
Scholarships, value £600-£4500: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama and music. Bursaries, for the children of services, clergy and teachers and in cases of hardship (all means-tested).
60% in industry or commerce; 15+% in the armed services. 60+% live within 30 miles; 12+% live overseas.
Principal: Hector MacDonald, appointed 2008. Educated at Newcastle University (biochemistry & physiology), and King’s College London (education management). Previously co-founder and Principal of the International School Bangalore, and of Munich International School, Boarding Housemaster at Sevenoaks and Director of Studies at Brookfield Academy, Milwaukee; also worked in biomedicine in the US for 13 years. Former International Coordinator of Heads HMC, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Microscopical Society. Teaching staff: 35 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 111 pupils in fifth, 98% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average of 10.2). A-levels: 48 in upper sixth, passing an average of 2.9 subjects.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 30% take courses in science and engineering, 7% in law, 63% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS/A-levels and Pre-U. 24 AS/A-level subjects (including PE, theatre studies, government and politics). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (mostly a broad range), 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 25% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 25% both. Pre-U courses taught in a number of subjects. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: for dyslexia. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular language trips to France, Germany and Spain. Extra language tuition available. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 150 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day, some 24 hours), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 3 musical groups, choir, orchestra. Drama and dance: Drama offered. GCSE drama and LAMDA speech and drama exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, football, netball, rounders and cricket compulsory to age 14. Optional: athletics, swimming, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, squash, canoeing. A-level sport studies may be taken. 1-2 members of each age group in county rugby and cricket sides, 1 in area, divisional sides. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Up to 72 clubs and activities, including drama, computing, falconery and horse-riding.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head of house appointed by staff and Principal. Religion: Ecumenical (Chaplain Church of England). Some compulsory religious worship; more encouraged. Social: Ski trips (France), cultural exchanges (France and Germany), canoeing, geography field trip (Ireland) and sports studies trip. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals cafeteria. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to re-do work, be detained or put on report; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect expulsion. Saturday detention for misdemeanours.
HCS Society, run by the school.
Michael Leapman (journalist); Professor Alistair McAulay (Eastern Europe expert); James Chapman (political editor, Associated Newspapers).
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