Founded in 1549 as a co-educational school, it is attractively situated in more than 30 acres of its own grounds in a semi-rural area between Preston and Blackpool. The main school buildings date from 1910, but there have been many additions, most recently a science centre, floodlit all-weather pitch, sports hall, centres for the sixth form and languages, and a library and dining complex. It also has an industry-standard technology suite and is designated as an international education centre for technology, through a partnership with BAE Systems. The school retains long-standing links with the Drapers' Company and provides a traditional grammar school education, achieving good examination results. There is a very strong sporting tradition, and high standards are achieved in many sports (many county players and some regional and national representatives). There are also strong art, drama and music departments. Much stress is laid on the family ethos of the school, respect for others, courteous behaviour and manners, good order and discipline. Great pains are taken to establish close personal relationships with each pupil, through its tutorial system.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 961 pupils, 895 day (455 boys, 440 girls), 66 boarding (38 boys, 28 girls). Junior department 3-11, 250 pupils (123 boys, 127 girls). Senior department 11-18, 711 pupils (370 boys, 341 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 9, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% at 11 (plus 10% to sixth form). Some senior intake from own junior, Kirkham Grammar Junior, Infant & Pre-School.
Significant number of scholarships awarded: academic and sport at age 11 and 16; music at 11. Scholarships can be supplemented by bursaries where there is financial need. 25% of pupils receive financial assistance of some sort.
25+% in industry or commerce; 25+% are doctors, lawyers, etc. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Headmaster: Douglas Walker, appointed 2002. Educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Cambridge University (history). Previously Deputy Head at Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Head of History at Rossall. Also rugby blue and former group coach to England Schools U18 team; Governor at Treales School. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 105 pupils in fifth form 93% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average of 8.4 subjects). A-levels: 92 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.3 subjects, with a final points score of 325.
90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (4% after a gap year), 4% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 7% in law, 40% in arts and social sciences, 13% in other subjects. Others typically go on to employment or art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23-24 AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; A-level general studies an additional option. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses and activities but not examined. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EAL help available. Languages: French and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; Latin to GCSE; Spanish introduced at age 11 (from 2010). Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 270 computers for pupil use (up to 12 hour a day in boarding house), all networked and with email an internal access. Some pupils also have laptops; 95% have computer access at home.
Music: 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, string group, concert band, swing group, choirs. Annual music festival, termly concerts, musicals. Pupils members of various county ensembles. Drama: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, LAMDA exams may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 A-level. A number of students go on to pursue careers in art, design, architecture.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, basketball, netball, swimming, volleyball, cricket, tennis, cross-country, badminton, gymnastics, squash, weight/fitness training, aerobics and biathlon. National representatives in rugby (5 capped for England recently) and in hockey, cross-country; regional/county representatives in rugby, hockey, cricket; national hockey finalists. Activities: CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 14, CCF and community service optional for sixth formers. Large number of clubs and societies, including drama, climbing, electronics, French, chess, public-speaking, animal ark, robot wars, internet, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, captain and vice captain, senior prefects, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster or housemasters. Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Annual activity holidays and ski trips; exchange visits to Germany and France; rugby and hockey tours. Day pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Firm discipline. On Report system (weekly/daily/homework) for pupils under-achieving through lack of effort. Detention system - evening (staff), Saturday morning (Headmaster). Minor offences dealt with by counselling or detention. Major offences lead to suspension or expulsion. Any pupil caught taking or dealing in drugs likely to be expelled (no such instances to date).
30% have own study bedroom; 60% share with one other. Resident matrons. Central dining room. Flexible boarding arrangements. Visits to local town allowed.
Od Kirkhamians, is run by Mrs Chris Nicholson, c/o the school.
Prof E R Laithwaite (Imperial College, London); David W H Walton (Director of Research, British Antarctic Survey); Graham Clark (English National Opera); Sir Ian Byatt (Director General of Water Services); G Sagar (Professor of Botany, Bangor University); Rt Rev R Brown (former Bishop of Birkenhead); Barry Johnson (former President, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).
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