Founded in 1954, it has an exceptionally beautiful site in a large area of parkland between Blandford and Dorchester. The main building is a large 18th-century country house which incorporates some of the buildings of the original Benedictine monastery of the middle ages. The magnificent medieval abbey church is the outstanding architectural feature. There are many modern additions and extensions and the accommodation and facilities are first-rate. It is a Church of England school but welcomes pupils of all faiths. The abbey church is the co-ordinating focus of the life of the community and a considerable influence on it. Worship and religious instruction are an important part of the general curriculum. Self-discipline, courtesy, self-respect and a sense of responsibility are deemed to be of prime importance in a pupil's development. The school's philosophy is to emphasise individual development by encouraging each pupil to establish their own role and use their talents to the full. A sound general education is provided. A large staff permits a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:7 and classes are unusually small. There is close personal monitoring by house staff and tutors as a basis for academic success. Girls have been accepted into the sixth form since 2005. Drama is strong; music and art flourish. The CCF is very strong and there are close links with service units in the region. A good range of sports and games and outdoor pursuits; sailing is particularly strong.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 229 pupils, 16 day (14 boys, 2 girls), 213 boarding (200 boys, 13 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance exam and/or own entrance exam used; an average of 50% ensures a place but some may be accepted below that standard if recommended by their previous school. Special factors (eg dyslexia, past illness or interrupted schooling) are taken into account. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (usually B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Small state school entry. Pupils come from a large number of prep schools and a wide geographical range.
Some scholarships, value 10% of fees: 1 academic, others for sport, sailing, art, technology, drama, music (at 13 and 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks.
30+% live within 30 miles; up to 15% live overseas.
Headmaster: W J Hughes-D'Aeth, in post since 1995. Educated at Haileybury and universities of Liverpool (geography) and Cambridge (education). Previously Housemaster at Rugby and 1 year teaching in Australia. Teaching staff: 47 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 47 pupils in upper fifth: 57% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 28% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 50 in upper sixth: 72% passed in 3 subjects; 14% in 2 and 14% in 1 subject. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 226.
90% of leavers go on to higher education (40% after a gap year). 18% take courses in science and engineering, 82% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS, A-levels (including vocational BTECs). 16 GCSE subjects, 23 at AS and A-level (including 4 BTECs). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (3-5), 3 at A-level (2-4); general studies is not taken. 9% take science A-levels; 26% arts/humanities; 65% both. Separate classes for ICT skills test; remaining key skills taught in mainstream subjects. Vocational: Work experience available. BTECs available in countryside management, equine studies, hospitality and sport science. Special provision: Remedial English and mathematics study skills. Multi-sensory support for dyslexic pupils from qualified teachers; EFL. Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 20 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils also have their own lap/desk tops. All pupils take Clait in Year 9.
Music: Nearly 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7+ musical groups including brass, woodwind and string ensembles, the Abbey choir, plainsong choir and chamber choir, various pop groups; use of recording studio facilities. Drama: Drama offered to AS-level; some pupils are involved in school productions and the majority in other productions. Art and design: On average, 10 take GCSE, 5 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.
Main sports: Rugby, hockey and cricket for boys; netball, hockey, tennis and lacrosse for girls; fitness programme for the non-sporty. Optional: canoeing, golf, polo, squash, shooting, swimming, fencing, basketball, cross-country, tennis, athletics, sailing (RYA exams taken), karate. County representatives at rugby, hockey, cricket, cross-country, athletics, tennis, swimming. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; average of 100 boys involved; expeditions in Britain and Europe. CCF or community service compulsory for 2½ years at age 14 (180 boys involved). Up to 30 clubs, eg motor engineering, chess, computing, clay-pigeon shooting, debating, electronics, modelling, music, sub-aqua.
Uniform: School uniform worn; own choice of shirt and jersey in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Church of England. Religious worship compulsory. Social: Theatrical productions and dances with other local girls' schools. Modern languages exchanges, trips and expeditions abroad (sixth form visit to Paris and Barcelona). Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and repeat work; those testing positive twice for cannabis are expelled.
22% have own study bedroom, 50% share with up to 3 others. Houses of approximately 45. Girls accommodated in separate wing. Resident qualified nurses. Central dining room. 2 weekend exeats per term plus half-term. Visits to local towns allowed at weekends.
is run by M Sale, c/o the school.
Alastair Boyd (who parachuted off the Empire State Building); Anthony Geffen (film and TV producer); Rupert Evans (actor).
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