Founded in 1552 by royal charter of Edward VI. In 1971 the senior school moved to its present premises, which lie on a fine site of 14 acres overlooking the city. The Old Building (c1830) houses part of the school but there are many new buildings. There is a theatre, drama studio, art and music centres, a sports and playing fields nearby. The junior school has its own purpose-built school on the same site; the pre-prep is to the west of the city. The school moved to co-education from 1997, completing the process in 2001, so that continuous education is offered to girls and boys from age 3. There is a high standard of teaching and academic achievement, and examination results are very good. The sports, art, music and drama departments are very strong and a good range of sports, games and outdoor pursuits is on offer.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 943 day pupils (694 boys, 249 girls). Senior department 11-18, 655 pupils (495 boys, 160 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, 48 points at GCSE including passes in English and maths (grade B in sixth-form subjects). 45% of senior entry from state schools (plus 50% of new sixth form entrants); 45% from own junior department.
Scholarships awarded at 11, academic or special talent (eg sport, art, music, drama), value up to £500 pa to Year 11; also substantial entry awards to sixth form. Additional means-tested bursaries available.
Headmaster: Martin Boden, in post from 2008. Educated at Bolton School and Cambridge University (French and German). Previously Director of Academic Studies, and taught at Bradford Grammar, Cheadle Hulme and Bolton School. Teaching staff: 63 full time, 16 part time (plus 12 peripatetic music teachers and school chaplain). Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 88 pupils in fifth, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 105 in upper sixth; 20% passed in 4+ subjects; 80% in 3 subjects - achieving a final point score of 374.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree or art foundation course, 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in eg nursing, medicine, optometry, 24% in science and engineering, 48% in humanities, law and social sciences, 13% in business and economics, 5% in art and design. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg drama or music colleges or employment with training eg army, nursery nurse training.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 28 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; AS and A-level general studies additional option. 30% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 30% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Support arranged for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level; Greek to GCSE. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 400 desktop computers plus 100 laptops for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 30+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, brass group, chamber choir, early music group, saxophone ensemble, clarinet group. Drama: Drama offered from Year 7 and at GCSE and A-level. Many pupils are involved in school and other productions. Annual arts festival involving a large number of pupils. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 25 A-level. Design, textiles, photography and print-making also offered. Students go on to art foundation courses each year.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, basketball, netball, rounders, tennis compulsory. Optional: fencing, judo, lifesaving, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, soccer, personal health and fitness training. Sixth form only: swimming, squash, climbing, golf, aerobics. Regular county rugby, hockey, cricket and netball players and athletes; sometimes national players. Activities: CCF optional at age 13, community service at 16. Over 30 clubs, eg chess, computing, Amnesty International, astronomical, Christian Union, mountain walking, ski club. Environmental Action Group, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth form wear own suit. Houses and prefects: Prefects elected by staff after poll of school; head prefects appointed by the Head. School Council. Religion: Morning assembly (non-denominational) compulsory; voluntary communion services twice a term. Social: Pupils belong to various sixth form societies (eg economics, science). Exchange visits; ski trips; music, art, photography and sports tours abroad (eg rugby/netball to New Zealand and Fiji, cricket to Antigua). Meals self-service.
The ethos is liberal and humane, but there are clear guidelines as to behaviour. The school actively promotes a healthy lifestyle and seeks to educate its pupils on a range of personal and health issues.
is run by the Development Office, c/o the school.
Viscount Simon (Lord Chancellor in 1940s); Lt General John Deverell (second i/c NATO Land Forces); Chris Rapley (Director of the Science Museum).
|
