Founded in 1807 by a group of non-conformist Christian ministers and City merchants. In 1827 it moved to the buildings which form the central part of the main school. Palatial, neo-classical and magnificently designed, they lie in 120 acres of wooded parkland in the green belt 10 miles from the centre of London. There has been much development and facilities and accommodation are very good, including most recently an indoor swimming pool and studio theatre. The prep school (Belmont) is a few hundred metres away and together with the pre-prep school (Grimsdell) allows for continuous education from 3-18. Now completely co-educational; girls were admitted aged 13 in 1997 after 20 years in the sixth form. A well-run school with long-established high standards, it regards hard work, self-criticism, enthusiasm and loyalty as paramount virtues. There is a major initiative which places much of the curriculum in a European context. Examination results are good. It is strong in music, art and drama (a new theatre centre). A very broad range of games and sports is provided, and standards are high (regular England players in hockey, cricket and rugby; close links with Saracens rugby club). There is substantial commitment to local community schemes and a highly regarded CCF contingent.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 700 pupils, 550 day (400 boys, 150 girls), 150 boarding (100 boys, 50 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages at 13, 14 and 16. Own entrance exam and interview used (common entrance for setting purposes); for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs with at least grade C, 5 of which should be grade B including sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements (but all are expected to attend chapel services). State school entry, 15% main intake plus 25% to sixth form. 60% of intake from own prep school, Belmont (enquiries to 020 8906 3519, email info@belmontschool.com).
Scholarships awarded at age 13 and 16, value up to 25% of fees (50% at age16): academic, art & design, sport, music, drama awards. Some means-tested bursaries, some up to 100% of fees (which may supplement scholarships, where needed). Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
70% live within 30 miles; 15+% live overseas.
Headmaster: Dr Dominic Luckett, appointed 2007. Educated at King Edward VII Grammar School, King's Lynn, and at universities of Leicester (history) and Oxford (DPhil). Previously Deputy Headmaster at Worth and Head of History at Harrow. Publications include historical articles in various scholarly journals. Also ISI inspector.
GCSE: 136 pupils in fifth form: 100% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 118 in upper sixth passing an average of 3.1 subjects.
99+% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 2% to Oxbridge. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, 28% in maths, science or engineering, 7% in law, 22% in humanities and social sciences, 36% in business and finance. Others typically go on to non-degree courses, art or music colleges or into careers.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 GCSE subjects, 21 AS/A-level. General studies not taken. Vocational: Work experience available in UK and Europe. Special provision: Extra English and EFL for pupils with overseas educational background. Languages: French, Spanish, German and Latin offered at GCSE and A-level; also Spanish and German AS-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg most course work on WP, project work, research using internet. 100+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, jazz, wind band, chamber ensembles. Facilities have been extended and improved recently (includes hard-disk recording studio). Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 20 AS and 10 A-level. Range of media used. Regular visits to Paris and New York.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, athletics, cross-country compulsory. Optional: badminton, basketball, fives, golf, tennis, karate, shooting, scuba, squash, swimming, table tennis, volleyball and many others. England cricket, hockey and rugby players. All major teams tour to eg Barbados, South Africa. County cricket champions in recent years at U15 and U19 level. Activities: Pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF for 2 years at age 14, community service optional for 4. Up to 30 clubs, eg computing, debating, pop/rock groups, video filming.
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 and housemasters, after upper sixth vote. School Council. Religion: Chapel (non-denominational) compulsory for all about once a week. Social: Exchanges with France, Germany and Spain; involves about 100 pupils a year; sports tours to eg South Africa, Barbados. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once will receive a warning; twice results in an academic detention. Any pupils involved with alcohol or drugs must expect to be expelled.
All upper sixth have own study bedroom, most lower sixth and fifth form share with one other; juniors in study bedrooms for 2-6 boys. Houses of 30-85, most co-ed. Resident SRN; attached counsellor; doctor visits. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks in evenings. Weekly boarding allowed. Visits to local town allowed with permission. Extensive programme provided at weekends for boarders.
is run from the school.
Dennis Thatcher (businessman and husband of Lady Thatcher); Francis Crick (Nobel prize - structure of DNA); Simon Jenkins (journalist) and National Trust); Richard Dimbleby(broadcaster) ; Catherine Whitehorn (writer).
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