Founded in 1860 as a boys' school, it has been fully co-educational since 1980. The senior and junior departments occupy a single site in the attractive coastal village of Tynemouth, where ties with the local community are strong. Academic achievement is high, but balanced with a broad range of extra-curricular activities. Sport is very strong, whilst art, music and drama are enjoyed and well supported. Activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award allow pupils to build their confidence and interpersonal skills.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 770 day pupils (480 boys, 290 girls). Junior department 4-11, 160 pupils (90 boys, 70 girls). Senior department 11-18, 610 pupils (390 boys, 220 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. Own entrance examination used. For sixth form entry, good GCSE grades in sixth-form subjects and 14 points (where A* is 4, A is 3 etc). No special skills or religious requirements. State-school entry, 40% at 11, 80% to sixth form; 50% of senior intake from own junior department.
24 pa scholarships (16 academic, 4 music, 2 art, 2 all-rounder), 15 awarded at age 11, 3 at 13 and 6 at 16; value 10%-50% of fees. Variable number of means-tested bursaries; clergy bursary of 15% of fees.
Headmaster: Philip Cantwell, in post from 2002. Educated at universities of Durham (geography) and London (education). Previously Headmaster of Cokethorpe, Deputy Headmaster of Colfe’s, Housemaster and Head of Department at Eastbourne College. Also member of National Inspection Steering Group and on boards of Schools North East. Teaching staff: 85 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 116 pupils in upper fifth, 93% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 4% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 90 pupils in upper sixth, 14% passed in 4+ subjects, 85% in 3 subjects; average final points score of 320.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year), 5%-10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art or design, 5% in other vocational subjects such as physiotherapy, accounting. Others typically take art foundation courses, or go straight into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level. On average, 35% of pupils take science/maths A-levels, 40% arts/humanities, 25% a mixture of both. General studies is taught but not examined. Key skills taught as a discrete units. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Individual support for pupils with mild disabilities or those whose native language is not English. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level, Russian to GCSE. All pupils take 2 languages in Years 8-9, 1 in Years 10-11. Regular exchanges to Spain. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and across the curriculum; GCSE and A-level offered. 400 networked computers available for pupil use (whole school day), all with email and internet access.
Music: Some 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups, including choirs, ceilidh band and various ensembles. Regular festival winners. Drama and dance: Both available as extra-curricular activities. LAMDA exams can be taken. Some pupils take part in school productions, majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average 30 take GCSE, 20 AS/A-level. Pottery also available.
Sport: Rugby for boys and hockey for girls compulsory until Year 10. GCSE, AS and A-level PE can be taken, also sports leadership awards. Occasional national representatives in rugby and hockey, regular county winners in both. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional from age 15. Over 30 clubs eg climbing, trampolining and dance.
Uniform: Uniform worn; business suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl and prefects appointed. School council. Religion: Church of England foundation. Attendance at weekly chapel compulsory. Social: 30+ trips a year (academic, sporting, cultural), 15 of which are overseas eg expeditions to Ecuador, Borneo, Tanzania and Nepal; annual visits to France and Germany. Pupils may bring their own bike/car to school. Meals self-service.Pupils may bring their own bike/car to school. Meals self-service.
Failure to produce a single piece of homework would result in a lunchtime detention. Any pupils found with cannabis on the premises would be asked to leave.
is run by Emma Wotton, email ewotton@kings-tynemouth.co.uk.
Stan Laurel (Laurel and Hardy); Shirley Webb (international athlete and star of Gladiators); Toby Flood (rugby player); Jason Plato (rally driver).
|
