Founded in 1910 (as Norwich High School for Boys), it moved in 1946 to Langley Park, between Norwich and the pleasant town of Beccles. Girls were first admitted in 1978 and it became fully co-educational in 1991. It is housed in a handsome Grade 1, Palladian-style Georgian mansion set in 100 acres of grounds. It is well equipped, with computer rooms, laboratories, workshops, studio and a large sports hall; a new teaching block has 15 classrooms and ICT suites. There are extensive playing fields, including an astro-turf hockey pitch. The staff:pupil ratio is 1:8. It draws pupils from a wide ability range. The aim of the school is to provide a full education, academically, socially and culturally, to encourage pupils to develop their talents and personality, to use time wisely, to achieve a high standard of self-discipline and to draw out and train the qualities of leadership. Careers guidance, study skills and PSE are taught to all pupils. There is a daily programme of 90+ sporting, artistic, musical, dramatic, scientific, technological and other activities, to which all pupils subscribe. There have been recent successes at county and national levels in a variety of sports.
Pupils: Age range 10-18, 464 pupils, 381 day (238 boys, 143 girls), 83 boarders (59 boys, 24 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and reports used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects).
Number of scholarships annually, value 10%-50% of fees: 2 per year group for each of academic, all-rounder, art, drama, music, sport, technology. Some means-tested bursaries. Family discounts and for children of HM forces. Parents expected to buy textbooks in sixth form.
Headmaster: Dominic Findlay, in post from 2007. Educated at Wymondham College and Exeter University (physical education and history). Previously Principal at Wymondham College. Teaching staff: 56 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 5%.
GCSE: 67 pupils in Year 11: 88% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 45 in upper sixth, passing in 2-3 subjects with an average final point score of 286.
90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 30% take courses in science and engineering, 25% in humanities and social sciences, 45% in arts. Others typically go on to further education or employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, 28 subjects offered for each. Classes are small and a tight monitoring and tutoring system operates at all levels. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Qualified staff to teach both dyslexic pupils and EFL. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany) and pupils in school from eg France, Germany, Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg technology (CAD), languages (multimedia). 250 computers for pupil use, all on school intranet and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6 musical groups including brass, wind, recorder, choir, strings, Drama: Drama offered. GCSE and A-level drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 6 A-level. Design, pottery and photography also offered. Many pupils go on to art college.
Sport: Rugby, football, hockey, cricket, athletics, netball are major sports. Also basketball, badminton, tennis, squash, volleyball, fencing, judo etc. GCSE and A-level sport may be taken. U16 England and U18 regional athletes; U16 England rugby player; county rugby, cricket and hockey players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. CCF and community service optional. 90+ other activities available eg model railways, drama, sailing, squash, archaeology, debating, chess.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, heads of house and house prefects, appointed by the senior staff. Religion: Inter-denominational. Social: Trips abroad include language exchanges and visits, skiing (Europe and Canada), history (Ypres). Sixth-formers allowed to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School tuck shop. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning or work-detention; those caught with illegal drugs on the premises would be asked to leave.
20% have own study bedroom (ensuite rooms for sixth form); 50% in doubles; 30% in rooms of 3+. 2 single-sex houses. Resident qualified nurse. Pupils can provide and cook food. 3-4 optional exeats each term. Visits to local towns allowed weekly, sixth form unaccompanied, younger pupils with staff.
is run by Alumni Officer, Ed Hill, c/o the school (01508 522467, ehill@langleyschool.co.uk).
John Mills (actor)
|
