The college was founded in London in 1973 to offer an alternative to conventional education and to cater for pupils needing to retake A-level exams and those trying Oxbridge entrance. It now consists of a group of colleges based in three centres - Birmingham, Cambridge and London. The group offers a very wide range of courses at A-level and GCSE; its reputation is based on exam results and the number of pupils who gain entrance to university and medical school. The colleges have managed to create environments in which those pupils who have lost motivation or confidence in the past are inspired to work hard by the quality of the teaching and their renewed enjoyment of the learning process. The colleges have large full-time and part-time staffs, permitting unusually favourable staff:pupil ratios. At AS and A-level there is an absolute maximum of eight pupils in each teaching group. The method is based on rigorous tuition with great emphasis placed on the demands of syllabuses and on examination technique. Full-time pupils follow a general academic curriculum and also have the opportunity to pursue cultural activities and sport in local facilities. Academic progress is closely monitored by directors of studies, who have few teaching commitments and who write regular reports and will arrange a meeting between parents and subject tutors when necessary.
MPW London has handsome and well-equipped premises. It has a predominantly young staff. A full range of courses is available and very good exam results are achieved. There is some sport available, on-site or at local facilities. The college arranges a variety of trips abroad, and is well placed to take advantage of the theatre, museums, opera and academic societies available in central London.
Pupils: Age range 14-20; 514 day pupils (267 boys, 247 girls). Entrance: Entry at 14-18+. Entrance exam for GCSE, scholarships and overseas students. High motivation and appropriate academic ability looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry, 5% of intake.
30+ pa scholarships, value 10%-50% of fees (1 scholarship of full fees). Parents expected to buy textbooks.
Principal: Stephen Boyes, in post since 2001. Educated at universities of Lancaster (geography) and Durham (employment law and PGCE). Also ISI inspector and Chairman of the Council of Independent Further Education. Teaching staff: 65 full-time, 25 part-time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 45 in upper fifth. A-levels: 300 in upper sixth. Average tariff points 98.9 per subject but many students taking just one or two A-levels.
94% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 5% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 70% in humanities and social sciences. Others typically go on to eg art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 43 AS/A-level (including Russian, philosophy, film studies, media studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (breadth aimed for), 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 30% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form teaching. Special provision: Specialist teacher and counsellor for dyslexia. ICT: Networked PCs including internet and intranet access. Specialist internet library.
Art and design: 20 take GCSE; 70 AS or A-level; on average, 20 accepted for art college each year. Photography, printing, ceramics, textiles, graphic design also offered. Strong links with University of the Arts.
Sport: Some facilities on site and use of local clubs; football, rugby, badminton, fitness training, swimming, basketball and dance available. Activities: Theatre visits, college magazine, insight in management role-play days, music recitals and concerts, charity galas, post-exam summer ball, debating, careers seminars, guest speakers, drama.
Uniform: No uniform worn. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. Religion: No religious worship at the college. Social: Geography and biology field trips, art history trip to Paris/Rome. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Cafeteria (serving hot and cold food).
Strict rules on punctuality, attendance and homework. Pupils failing to produce homework may be placed on a supervised library regime. The college operates random drug testing. Any student found to be involved with illegal drugs on or off the premises will be expelled.
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