Founded in 1898, it is set in a pleasant 23-acre site bordering the River Stour. Expansion has incorporated neighbouring houses and much accommodation is now purpose-built with many modern facilities including indoor swimming pools, all-weather sports surfaces, auditorium and theatre and a music school with several performance areas. The prep and pre-prep schools are on the edge of the town. Originally a girls' school, the junior school was co-educational for some time before boys were accepted in the senior school in 2006; it is now co-educational throughout. It has a tradition of high academic achievement and provides a challenging yet supportive environment in which pupils develop self-reliance, compassion and resilience. It is strong on music and drama. There are a wide range of co-curricular activities on offer, and a pronounced sense of service to the town which has resulted in good local ties and support from the community.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 720 pupils, 595 day (235 boys, 360 girls), 125 boarding (62 boys, 63 girls). Senior department 11-18, 390 pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Approximately 40% of senior intake from state schools. 50% of senior intake from own prep.
Scholarships of 10%-20% of fees: academic, music, sport, art, drama (at ages 8, 11, 13, 16). Assisted places on assessment. Discounts available for clergy and forces families.
Head: Michael Buchanan, in post since 2005. Previously Head of Senior School at Highgate. Teaching staff: 41 full time, 16 part time in senior school.
GCSE: 56 pupils in Year 11. 96% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 61 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 373.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. Pupils take courses in medicine, science and engineering, humanities and social sciences (including languages), music, art and design, vocational subjects such as nursing, pharmacy, education. Others typically go on to business management courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 exam subjects offered, including theatre studies, economics, technology and business studies; no A-level general studies. 31% take science A-levels; 33% arts/humanities; 36% both. Special provision: Ad hoc extra help, with guidance from experts. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. Some European girls in school for 1-2 years. Work experience links being forged in Germany, France and Spain. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. Networked computers for pupil use, with email and internet access; also whiteboards etc across the school.
Music: Around 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10+ musical groups including orchestras, band, choirs, jazz, recorder, string quartets, various chamber groups. Performance opportunities twice a month. A number of pupils are members of county youth orchestra and National Youth Orchestra. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and Guildhall exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: Photography, fine art and textiles A-level offered. Pupils regularly go on to art foundation courses.
Sport: Hockey, netball, rugby, football, gym, athletics, tennis, cricket, rounders, swimming compulsory. Optional: judo, fencing, aerobics, trampolining, ballet, volleyball, badminton, squash, golf, yoga. GCSE, BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. 2 county netball representatives, 5 county hockey players, 2 county cross-country runners, 2 county athletes, 2 county fencers. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; 35-40 pa enrol for bronze. Community service optional for 3 years at age 14. 60% of sixth form involved in volunteering, mostly through Millennium Volunteers.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business wear in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. School captain and deputy, boarding captain elected by pupils, staff and Head. Religion: Non-denominational teaching. Christian ethos. Social: Many joint events with local schools, including productions and debates, orchestras, sports fixtures, discos, formal sixth form supper dance. Annual ski trip; other recent trips to Australia, Greece, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and America. Pupils allowed to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service.
3 levels of disciplinary stripes. Infringements of school rules brings progressive loss of privileges, communication with parents, suspension and, eventually, expulsion.
Single-sex houses (recently renovated). Majority of sixth formers in single ensuite rooms; others share 2-3 pupils; Each house has kitchenette and computer suite. Weekend activity programme, including visits to London and Canterbury.
Penny Mallory (rally driver, TV presenter); Abi Kelly (Radio 1 DJ); Sally Brampton (journalist, The Telegraph); Gillian Clark (badminton player and commentator); Diana Speed (Radio 4 presenter); Pamela Armstrong (newsreader); Sally Preisig (puppetry, children's TV).
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