Founded in 2005, from the merger of Hull Grammar School (originally founded as a boys' school in 1330 – one of the oldest in the country) with Hull High School (a girls' school founded in 1890). It occupies a single site in a rural setting, four miles to the west of Hull, just north east of the Humber Bridge. It is based at Tranby Croft, a beautiful country house in five hectares of mature landscaped grounds. A purpose-built prep school is on the same site. Considerable investment has gone into the school since the merger and it now has excellent facilities, including a sports hall and astroturf pitch. An inclusive, family school with a Christian foundation and a strong pastoral system. It aims to provide a caring and secure environment, supporting and challenging its pupils to achieve the best of which they are capable, both in and out of the classroom. Pupils do well in public examinations and are well prepared for higher education. Participation in sport, music and drama is strongly encouraged and high standards achieved; concerts and plays are regularly put on. There are many trips abroad as well as shorter visits to local places of interest.
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 777 day pupils (361 boys, 416 girls). Junior department 3-11, 300 pupils (135 boys, 165 girls). Senior department 11–18, 477 pupils (226 boys, 251 girls). Entrance: Main entry at 3, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs grade C (preferably grade B in sixth-form subjects). Skills in sport, art, music or academic achievement looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry approx 50% in main intake at 11 (plus few to sixth form).
16 pa scholarships, 8 at 11, 8 at 16: academic, sport, music, art; value £300 pa. Also means-tested bursaries, equivalent of 6 full fees pa. Parents not expected to buy textbooks and lunches included in fees. Extras include music lessons, trips etc.
Majority of parents live within 30 miles. 15+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry/commerce.
Principal: Rob Haworth, in post since 2005. Educated at Bolton School and Cambridge University (economics). Previously Head of Hull Grammar School and Head of Year at Bedford Modern School. Also JP; member of ISA and former Chairman. Teaching staff: 63 full time, 17 part time.
GCSE: 72 pupils in Year 11: 93% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 60 in upper sixth. 10% passed in 4+ subjects; 90% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 303.
96% of sixth form leavers go on to higher education (8% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 8% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 18% in science & engineering, 8% in law, 45% in humanities & social sciences, 5% in art & design, 12% in other subjects (including vocational). Others go straight into employment or traineeships.
GCSE, AS and A-levels offered. 25 subjects offered, including astronomy. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (including general studies), 3 at A-level. 13% take science A-levels; 57% arts/humanities; 30% both. Work experience available. Special provision: A range is offered, including permitted access arrangements in public examinations. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. All pupils take 2 languages (French plus another) to age 14, at least one to age 16. Occasional pupils take IGCSE in eg Chinese, Dutch, Korean and Japanese as extra-curricular subject. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. Interactive whiteboards in all main teaching rooms; memory sticks for sixth formers. 250 networked PCs for pupil use (accessible all day), all with email and internet access; 4 dedicated ICT suites for pupils from reception to Year 13. Sixth form take ECDL.
Music: 15–25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 7+ musical groups (choirs, orchestra, wind band, close harmony group, chamber groups). 1 pupil in National Children's Orchestra; regular auditions for National Youth Choir and National Youth Music Theatre. Drama: Drama offered as part of the curriculum from Year 5 and to GCSE, AS and A-level; dance as extra-curricular activity. Majority of pupils involved in school and house productions; ensemble work encouraged. Annual house pantomime competition. At least 1 pupil annually in National Youth Theatre; pupils regularly go on to drama courses at eg Central School of Speech & Drama. Art & design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 8 AS/A-level. Textiles, digital photography, sculpture etc all offered. Several pupils in top ten nationally at GCSE, AS and A-level recently.
Sport: Athletics, gymnastics, HRF, cross-country, hockey/rugby, netball/football, cricket/rounders, tennis, basketball, orienteering, volleyball, badminton compulsory. Swimming, gym optional. Squash in sixth form only. GCSE, AS/A-level sport offered. Many pupils compete at county level, some at international. Activities: Pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Up to 15 clubs including astronomy, model railway, scrabble, table tennis, as well as various sport and music groups.
Uniform: School uniform worn; different sixth-form uniform. Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head prefect, appointed following interview with Principal. School council. Religion: No religious worship compulsory. Social: School works closely with the local community and local charities eg local schools participate in author events, charity art and design exhibition and sale. Regular trips to eg Normandy, Spain, WW1 battlefields; geography field trip (eg Iceland), sports tour (eg Barbados) involving cricket, football, hockey and netball; skiing trips (USA, Italy). Pupils may bring own car, motorbike or bike to school. Meals self-service. No shop but drinks vending machine.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning (detention thereafter). Neither smoking nor alcohol permitted on school premises; those caught taking drugs face expulsion.
is run by the Principal at the school
William Wilberforce (anti-slavery campaigner). Andrew Marvell (metaphysical poet) and Dorothy L Sayers (novelist) both taught here.
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