Founded in 1987 as a tutorial college, it occupies two large, attractive collegiate-style Victorian houses, a mile to the south of the city centre. There are good facilities, including 3 science laboratories, an art room, computer rooms and canteen. The college matches students to suitable accommodation with carefully selected host families, or in modern, purpose-built blocks. The college prides itself on having a friendly, yet academically rigorous environment. It provides one and two-year AS and A-level and GCSE courses, as well as short retake courses. See also MPW (London) for information on MPW group.
Pupils: Age range 15-19; 140 pupils, 100 day (50 boys, 50 girls); 40 boarding (20 boys, 20 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 15, 16 and 18. Sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 20% of intake.
No scholarships. Up to 18 bursaries to those likely to benefit but not able to afford fees. Parents not expected to buy core textbooks.
60+% live within 30 miles. Up to 30% overseas.
Principal: Nick Marriott, first appointed 1996. Teaching staff: 16 full time, 32 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 15 in Year 11: 88% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 60 in Year 13.
Typically 90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 5% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 35% in science and engineering and 50% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 30 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (usually 1 contrasting), 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 35% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 25% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Special provision: EFL provision. Languages: French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 16 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Sport such as football, basketball, badminton, squash offered twice a week.
Uniform: No uniform worn. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. Religion: No religious worship or bias.
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