Founded in 1842 and run under the direction of the Society of Jesus, which has had a presence at Spinkhill from 1580. The school lies in the village and has a fine estate of playing fields and farmland. Originally a boys' school, girls have been admitted as pupils since 1977 and it is now fully co-educational. The school is Roman Catholic but other denominations are welcome. There is strong emphasis on the principles of Jesuit education: social, spiritual, emotional and physical development and wellbeing. It has a good staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8 and examination results are good. There are strong music, drama and art departments. Considerable strength in sport and games with many county representatives in rugby. A very good variety of clubs and societies. About a quarter of the pupils are involved in local community services.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 390 pupils, 320 day (189 boys, 131 girls), 70 boarding (40 boys, 30 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used (Common Entrance if accessible); non-selective entry. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs (at least 3 at grade B, 2 at grade C). Sport and music skills looked for. 35+% of intake from own prep school, Barlborough Hall School.
Variable number of major and minor scholarships, awarded at 11, 13 and 16: academic, music, sports, art and all-rounder. Bursaries also available, separately or in conjunction with scholarships. Some 25% of pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. Parents do not buy textbooks.
15+% are doctors, lawyers, etc; 25+% in industry or commerce; 10+% in the armed services. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 20% live overseas.
Headmaster: Laurence McKell, in post from 2007. Educated at St Aloysius' College, Glasgow, and at universities of Glasgow (geography, economic history and PGCE) and Leeds (MEd). Previously Deputy Head and Head of Geography at Stonyhurst and taught at Ampleforth and Latymer School, Enfield. Teaching staff: 40 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 36.
GCSE: 58 pupils in fifth, 88% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 33 in upper sixth, 6% passing in 4+ subjects, 91% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 272.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 3% go to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 20% in other vocational subjects eg leisure, sports. A few typically go directly into business or other employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects offered; 23 at A-level. Pupils taught in sets according to ability. High achievers take some GCSEs early. Sixth form: 20% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 40% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist teaching for dyslexia and EAL. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to Spain (Barcelona) and France (schools in Lille and Nancy). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 69 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: All first-year pupils may learn an instrument free of charge. 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. GCSE and A-level music offered. Musical groups including 3 choirs, chamber orchestras, wind, jazz and brass bands. Groups perform in local festivals, competitions and on tours. County and national orchestra members. Drama: Part of the curriculum from age 11; GCSE and A-level offered. Several productions each year involving all age groups. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 4 AS-level, 6 A-level. Design (3D and textiles) also offered.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, netball compulsory. Optional: athletics, rounders, tennis. Fifth and sixth form only: badminton, fencing, swimming, table tennis. GCSE and A-level sport studies may be taken. 1 England rugby player, 6 regional representatives, 20+ county reps. Activities: CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 15 (RAF or Army). Up to 30 clubs, eg many minor sports, fencing, weight-training, aerobics etc, chess, bridge, school magazine, art, textiles, technology, radio, astronomy.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. School captains, head boy and head girl, appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Roman Catholic. Compulsory mass for all boarders on Sundays. Other denominations welcomed. Year Mass and full school Mass held regularly. Retreat programme for all years. Social: Various in-house and external events, regular trips, outings and overseas tours. Exchanges with Jesuit schools in Australia, Zimbabwe and France. Day pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service (formal meal on Sunday evenings for boarders). School shop. No alcohol allowed.
Strong emphasis throughout the school on growth to self-discipline.
Sixth form have own study bedrooms; remainder in ensuite rooms for 2-4. 2 single-sex houses of up to 50. Resident SRN. Central refectory. Visits to local town allowed for upper school. Weekend activity programme including outdoor pursuits, and educational and cultural trips.
The Mount Association, contact honsecretary@mountassociation.co.uk, or see the school website.
Lord (John) Wheatley (judge); Air Marshal Sir Francis Fresanges; Sir Denis Henry (Lord Chief Justice of Ireland); Sir Diarmaid Conroy (President, Industrial Tribunals); Major General McGinness; Hugh Lofting (author).
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