Established in Tring in 1945, it is set in 17 acres of attractive and secluded grounds. The school is principally housed in a superb mansion, formerly the home of the Rothschild family. Originally a girls' school, boys were first admitted in 1993 and the school is now co-educational throughout. A large staff permits an unusually good staff:pupil ratio. All pupils are prepared for GCSE and most stay to take A-levels. The vocational courses in dance, drama and musical theatre are fundamental to the curriculum and prepare pupils to a high standard. Combined with a thorough academic education they provide the foundation for entry to dance, drama or music colleges, or degree courses. It is one of the few schools attracting government help for pupils under the Music and Dance Scheme and dance scholarships under the DADA scheme. Naturally standards of achievement in music, drama and dance are distinguished and there are a large number of performances each year which take place in its own Markova Theatre, in London and throughout Europe.
Pupils: Total age range 8-19, 286 pupils, 86 day (31 boys, 55 girls) 200 boarding (34 boys, 166 girls). Senior department 11-19. Entrance: Main entry ages 8-14 and 16. Entrance by audition; for sixth form entry, audition and preferably GCSE grade B in sixth form subjects. Special skills required in dance, drama and musical theatre, varying according to course applied for; no religious requirements.
4 pa performing arts scholarships, value 33% fees (2 at 11, 2 at 16). Aided places available, under the government's Music and Dance Scheme. Dance scholarshipsunder the DaDA scheme offered by the Learning & Skills Council; discretionary grants may be available from local authorities.
38% live within 30 miles, up to 8% live overseas.
Principal: Stefan Anderson, appointed 2002. Educated at Carleton University, Ottawa, and at Royal College of Music and Cambridge University. Previously Director of Music at The King's School, Canterbury. Teaching staff: 26 full time, 26 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 40.
GCSE: On average, 34 in fifth form. 85% gain grade C or above in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 46 in upper sixth; most pass in 2+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 270.
Most pupils go on to further training in the performing arts or to degrees in the arts and humanities, followed by careers in the theatre or media. A significant minority go on to degree courses unrelated to the arts.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 13 GCSE subjects, 16 AS/A-level (including theatre studies, dance and music); BTEC national Diploma (performing arts). Sixth form: General studies and key skills not taught. Vocational: Clait and RSA word processing qualifications offered; also RAD and ISTD dance; Guildhall drama (acting and solo speech) to grade 8. Special provision: Specialist members of staff give help as required. Languages: French (compulsory age 11-13) and German offered to GCSE and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg data-logging in science. 31 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7 musical groups including choirs and saxophone group. Chamber choir runners-up and previous winners of Sainsbury's choir of the year competition. Drama and dance: GCSE drama, A-level in theatre studies, dance and performing arts; Guildhall, ISTD, RAD exams may be taken. All pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: Compulsory for all to GCSE, on average 10 take A-level art and design.
Sport: Swimming.
Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth form uniform for special functions. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Principal in consultation with staff and pupils. Religion: Inter-denominational. Social: Meals self-service. No alcohol allowed.
Any students caught taking drugs on the premises would be expelled.
All pupils in shared rooms in five houses, divided by age group. Two qualified nursing sisters. Central dining room. Half terms (one week) and two weekend exeats per term; weekly boarding in prep department. Visits to local town allowed (accompanied at weekends to age 13); sixth formers can go out at weekends if classes and duties allow.
Jane Seymour, Anna Carteret, Gillian Lynn, Thandie Newton, Lia Williams, Caroline Quentin, Emma Cunniffe (actresses).
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