Founded around 1390 by the Ipswich Merchant Guild of Corpus Christi, it was endowed by Henry VIII and granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I. In 1852 the school moved into handsome new buildings in the Victorian collegiate style. It stands on high ground overlooking Christchurch Park, with a cricket field and sports hall on site and another 30 acres of playing fields 10 minutes' walk away. Many improvements and additions have been made over the years, including the fine library and performing arts complex, and it has excellent all-round facilities. The prep school is on the same site, with its own buildings but with the use of the senior school amenities. Religious education is provided at all levels. Every pupil has one chapel assembly a week, and one Sunday service each term. All denominations are welcome. Originally a boys' school, it first admitted girls to the sixth form some 30 years ago and at 11 in 1997, so it is now co-educational throughout. A broad general education is provided and examination results are very good. Drama and music are well supported; there are dramatic productions for all age groups and plentiful opportunities for music-making. High standards are achieved in sports and games, with regional representation in a large number of sports. Pupils are encouraged to join the thriving CCF contingent or to undertake some community service. The many clubs and societies cater for a range of interests and the school has a successful record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 805 pupils, 760 day (497 boys, 263 girls), 45 boarders (32 boys, 13 girls). 6% are from overseas. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam or Common Entrance used at 13; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth form subjects). State school entry 50% of senior intake; large number from own junior school (enquiries to the Registrar, Ipswich Preparatory School; same address, tel 01473 281302).
Some scholarships, maximum value 50% of fees: academic, art, music awarded at 11 and 13; sport only at 11; all-rounder only at 13; sixth-form scholarships, academic, music, all-rounder, sport and Ogden Trust (maths and physics). Also school's own means-tested bursaries at 11, 13 and 16.
Headmaster: Ian Galbraith, in post from 1993. Educated at Dulwich College and Cambridge University (geography). Previously Head of Upper School at Dulwich College. British Schools Exploring Society leader to Iceland and Greenland. Publications: Understanding Physical Geography; Ecosystems; Land Forms; Map Reading and Analysis. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 16 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 108 pupils in Year 11: 100% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects; A-levels: 117 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 333.
Almost all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (12% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, 19% in science and engineering, 49% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in maths and computing, 4% in English, 3% in languages. Others typically go on to art and design or drama college.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; in addition, all participate in the sixth form enrichment programme, choosing eg AS-level critical thinking, ICT or politics, GCSE law or Spanish. International Leadership Programme also available. On average, 36% arts/humanities; 8% science only and 56% both. Vocational: Work experience offered to Year 11. Languages: French, Spanish, German and Russian offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges; biennial trip to Russia. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200+ computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and filtered internet access. Many pupils take OCR Clait Plus; AS-level ICT offered.
Music: About 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, chamber group, chapel choir, wind band, big band, several jazz and pop groups. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE; dance clubs available; speech and drama lessons in small groups. 7-8 productions annually involving all age groups. Art and design: On average, 34 take GCSE, 17 AS-level, 14 A-level. Design, pottery, photography, print-making, sculpture, textiles also offered.
Sport: Netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, rounders, soccer, squash, badminton, table tennis, athletics, cross-country, fives, shooting, tennis, polygym and sailing. RLSS and ASA exams may be taken. Regional and county representatives at rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, cross-country, tennis, athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF or community service in Years 10 and 11, optional in sixth form. Up to 20 clubs, including cookery, robotics, drama, mandarin, art, cricket, philosophy.
Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive and pastoral houses. Head of school, prefects, and heads of houses appointed by the Headmaster in consultation with housemasters/mistresses and pupils. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory weekly. Social: Many trips abroad eg to St Petersburg; classical trips to Mediterranean; ski trips; language exchanges; birdwatching. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school with parents' permission. Meals self-service. School tuck shop. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a reprimand (parents contacted if other reasons for concern). Those caught smoking cannabis on the premises should expect immediate suspension and contact with parents; probably leading to expulsion.
Mark Bailey (England rugby player); Nils Blythe (broadcaster); David Sawer (composer).
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