Founded in 1875, it has a prominent site on the edge of the city, bounded by common land on two sides and close to the river. The main buildings are late Victorian and aesthetically very pleasing, lying in 50 acres of delightful grounds and playing fields. Modern extensions provide excellent facilities, including a big design and technology centre, humanities building, sports centre and two astroturf pitches. These provide a wide breadth of opportunity for every individual. It is a Methodist foundation but inter-denominational and has a strong sense of community. It first accepted girls in 1984, becoming fully co-educational ten years later. A large, academic and highly-qualified staff allows a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8. An informal and friendly atmosphere characterises the school and there is a particularly good tutorial system. Examination results are very good and almost all leavers go on to university. Very strong in sport, music, drama, art and technology. Plentiful use is made of the cultural amenities of Cambridge. An outstanding record in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 550 pupils, 280 day (170 boys, 110 girls), 270 boarding (150 boys, 120 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13, 14 and 16. Own entrance tests at 11 and 13; for sixth-form entry, at least 5 GCSEs at grade B including maths and English. Extra-curricular interests, as well as academic potential, taken into account; open to all religious denominations. State school entry 3+% of main intake, plus 10% to sixth form. Many pupils from St Faith's Prep School (tel 01223 352073), with which it shares a foundation, St John's College School (tel 01223 353532) and King's College School (tel 01223 365814).
Approx 30 pa scholarships: academic, sport, art, technology, drama, music, all-rounder (at 11, 13, 16); value 10%-15% of relevant fee (which may be topped up by means-tested bursaries).
50+% live within 30 miles; up to 15% live overseas.
Headmaster: Mark Slater, appointed 2004. Educated at Wellington College and universities of Oxford (modern languages) and London (PGCE). Previously Headmaster at St Lawrence, Housemaster at Wellington and taught at Lord Wandsworth. Teaching staff: 61 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 38.
GCSE: 94 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 91 in upper sixth, gaining an average final point score of 341.
On average, 95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (40% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 20% take courses in science and engineering, 80% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects (including business studies, psychology, theatre studies, design and technology). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level (no general studies). Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Tuition arranged for pupils with special needs eg dyslexia, EFL. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Exchange programmes with French and German schools. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 230 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental/voice exams can be taken. Some 11 musical groups including school orchestra, wind band, chapel and chamber choirs, jazz band, drum circle and string orchestra. Drama: Drama very strong; GCSE and A-level theatre studies offered. Pupils involved at all levels; year group productions as well as major ones; musicals alternate years. Art and design: very strong; on average 30 take GCSE, 15 A-level; ceramics also offered. Pupils exhibit in external art exhibitions.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, tennis, cricket, netball, sailing, rowing, canoeing, swimming, water polo, squash, badminton, basketball, volleyball, athletics, shooting, golf, climbing, karate. Sports Academy for gifted pupils; recent players at regional/national level in rugby, hockey, cricket and squash. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service options. Over 15 clubs/societies, eg debating, science, Eco-Schools, film language, Amnesty International. Up to 30 after-lessons activities.
Uniform: School uniform worn, modified in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster or housemasters/mistresses. Religion: Inter-denominational. Services on Fridays and Sundays. Social: Organised local events include inter-school debates; combined choral concerts; Schools Challenge (inter-schools quiz contests). Visits abroad, cultural visits (art and art history); individual language exchanges and with schools in Japan and Singapore; ski trips, walking holidays in Alps; choir, sports and drama tours. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
A graded system of punishments is available to teachers, from a 30-minute detention to 2 hours on a Saturday night or a Headmaster's detention on a Sunday. The emphasis is on prompt and productive punishments if necessary, but a system of commendations is also an important means of encouraging good work and behaviour. In the event of anyone being caught using or possessing illegal drugs while under school discipline, they would forfeit the right to remain in the school but might be allowed to return on a regime of random tests.
30% have own study bedroom, 30% share with others; 40% are in dormitories of approx 6. Single-sex houses, of 32-70 pupils. Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. Pupils can also provide and cook their own food. Flexible exeats, overnight at least fortnightly. Visits to the local town allowed once or twice a week.
is run by J C Harding, Secretary OLS, c/o the school.
Sir Alastair Burnet, Peter and Christopher Hitchens (journalists); Martin Bell (ex-BBC and former MP); J G Ballard (writer); Richard Heffer (actor); Prof Peter Dickinson (music); D A G Cregan (playwright); Geoffrey Windsor-Lewis (Hon Sec Barbarians); James Hilton, Malcolm Lowry (authors); Prof David Miller (medicine); Prof TC Smout (history); Prof H B Mattingley (classics); Sir Kenneth Hollings (judge of the High Court).
|
