Founded in 1614, it is on a single site on the edge of the historic town in the Wye Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The present buildings, in collegiate style, date from 1865 and there has been much expansion and modernisation in recent years, including a new sports centre, a sports pavillion, drama studio, 500-seat theatre and purpose-built junior school. A distinguished and well-run school, with a high reputation locally and further afield. It benefits from strong links with the Haberdashers' Company and provides excellent facilities and an all-round education. There is a significant amount of sixth-form teaching with its sister school, Haberdashers' Monmouth, as well as joint musical and dramatic activities. Examination results are very good. Strong in music, drama and art. Also very strong in sports and games (especially rugby, cricket and rowing) with a large number of county and international representatives. It has a thriving boarding community, with notable emphasis on extra-curricular activities including CCF. There is much participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 697 boys (545 day, 152 boarding). Junior school 7-11, 109 boys. Senior school 11-18, 588 boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B. High academic expectations and emphasis on all-round education, no religious barriers. State school entry, 75% at 11 and 16; small number at 13. Some 25% of senior intake from own junior department, The Grange.
Scholarships at 11, 13 and 16 (academic, music, sports). Also assisted places, bursaries, forces bursaries and all-round awards. Approximately 30% of pupils receive remission on fees through scholarships, bursaries or assisted places. Parents not expected to buy textbooks or stationery; extras include music lessons and school trips.
Headmaster: Dr Steven Connors, in post from 2005. Educated at Swansea University (English). Previously Deputy Head at Christ's Hospital, Head of English and Housemaster at Sevenoaks. Teaching staff: 71 full-time, 18 part-time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 35-40.
GCSE: 91 pupils in fifth form, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 82 in upper sixth, 22% passing in 4+ subjects, 77% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 383.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (35% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design, 20% in business and finance, 6% in vocational subjects eg leisure management, sports science.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects, 30 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 70% take a mixture of science and arts/humanities at least to AS-level. Co-ordinated sixth-form timetable and teaching with sister school. No general studies exams but range of enrichment courses (including critical thinking); science and enterprise initiatives aimed at challenging sixth formers beyond the curriculum. Vocational: Work experience programme. Languages: French (from 11), German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also Russian A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). Some sixth-form work experience in France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 270+ computers for pupil use (9+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Approx 45% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include 3 strings orchestras (one joint with sister school), 3 choirs, 3 wind bands (one joint with sister school), brass band and many chamber music groups. Several Oxbridge choral/organ scholars. Annual musical production with sister school. Music tours to Italy, France and Spain recently. Merlin Music Society promotes concerts in the school, given by national and international artists. Drama and dance: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered. Many pupils are involved in school and other productions including participation in Edinburgh Festival. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Printing, drawing, 3D-studies, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, photography and mixed media are offered. Annual art visits.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, rowing, golf, tennis, shooting, soccer, badminton, squash, swimming, cross-country, athletics, canoeing, sailing, fencing, sub-aqua diving, hockey, karate, climbing. National representatives in athletics, fencing, swimming, rowing, rugby, squash, cricket, sailing and chess. Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional at age 14+. Community service, conservation commitment and charity fund-raising activities eg walks, cycle rides, swimming, charity rock concerts with pupil bands. Up to 30 clubs, including chess, debating, aero-modelling, Warhammer, astronomy, history society, table tennis, electronics, herpetology. Regular sixth form lectures.
Uniform: School uniform worn; greater flexibility in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Day and boarding houses. All upper sixth invited to be prefects; sixth form forum, boarders' forum. Religion: Church in Wales. School chaplain. Social: Plays, concerts, Enterprise Awareness Conference with local schools; joint sixth-form events (including May Ball), concerts and plays with sister school. Exchange with Japanese school. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Sense of self-discipline encouraged. Range of detentions; suspension and exclusion rare but ultimate sanctions.
Most sixth formers have own study bedrooms; most juniors in shared rooms. 5 houses of up to 40, divided by age. Qualified school nurses. Central dining room. Computer room, TV and games room. Cooking facilities in houses. Flexible boarding arrangements, with organised activities at weekends. Visits to the local town allowed.
is run by H C Toulouse, c/o the school
Christopher Herbert (Bishop of St Albans); David Malpas (Tesco); R J Herd (racing car designer); Victor Spinetti (actor); M W Barnes QC; Lord (Colin) Moynihan (ex-sports minister); David Broome (showjumper); K Jarrett, A M Jorden and Eddie Butler (rugby internationals); Professor Paul Langford (historian, Rector of Lincoln College Oxford); Tom Lucy (Olympic oarsman); Angus McBean (photographer); Wayne Barnes (rugby World Cup referee); Roger Watkins (assistant editor, Daily Express); Professor John Beddington (Chief Scientific Advisor to HM Government); Professor Richard Carwardine (historian, President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford).
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