Founded in 1876 as part of the Harrow School Foundation, the school has agreeable premises on the west side of the Hill, with spacious playing fields nearby. There have been substantial additions and improvements over the years; the science and drama block has recently been refurbished and extended, as the first phase of a new programme of development. Year 7 boys spend their first year in Oldfield, the lower school, which is housed in a separate building. Some religious education is provided weekly for all pupils throughout the school. There are regular school assemblies. A sound general education is given and examination results are very good. Considerable strength in the arts; boys achieve exceptional results in music, drama and art & design. A fair range of sports and games is provided (principal sports are football and cricket) and there is a plentiful variety of extra-curricular activities. The lower sixth spend a week on Outward Bound training at Loch Eil before starting their A-level courses. About 120 boys a year are involved in Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 580 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. State school entry, 50% main intake at 11 (plus few to sixth form).
Up to 20 scholarships awarded (at 11, 13 and 16) for outstanding potential; value up to 20% of tuition fees. Means-tested bursaries, which can be up to 95% of fees in exceptional circumstances.
Head: Miss Katherine Haynes, in post from 2009. Educated at Oxford High and the universities of Warwick and Birmingham (maths). Previously Head of Maths and member of leadership team at Warwick School and Head of Maths at Edgbaston High School. Teaching staff: 48 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5-10%. Average age 38.
GCSE: 100 pupils in Year 11, all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects (average 9.4 subjects). A-levels: 59 in upper sixth: 22% passed in 4+ subjects; 75% in 3 subjects (21% of pupils achieved straight A grades); average final point score of 418.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (some after a gap year), 50% to Russell Group universities, taking courses including law, economics, dentistry, aeronautical engineering.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 46% take science A-levels; 34% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills taught where covered in AS-levels. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. ICT: Taught within the curriculum. 120+ computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, wind band, chamber groups. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE and A-level. Some pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 14 take GCSE, 4 A-level. Pottery and photography also offered.
Sport: Football, cross-country, cricket, athletics, swimming compulsory. Optional: tennis, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, archery, karate, golf, squash. 5 county players (soccer and cricket). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, including computer, stamp, bridge, chess, photography, art, indoor games, debating, karate.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Head. Religion: Non-denominational. All pupils attend assemblies. Social: Choral concerts, theatrical events and community service jointly with other local schools. Foreign trips to eg France, Germany, cricket tour to South Africa, ski trip to Europe. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school; car in upper sixth. Deli-style restaurant open for breakfast, morning snacks and lunch.
Pupils caught with illegal drugs on the premises can expect to forfeit their place at the school. A firm but child-friendly disciplinary process.
run by School Director of Development (020 8872 8428 or staff.allanson@johnlyon.org)
Stephen Pollard (journalist); Timothy West, Julian Rhind-Tutt (actors); Liam Halligan (economist and broadcaster); Ben Gill (footballer); Michael Bogdanov (theatre director); Andrew Carwood (singer and conductor).
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