Founded in 1513 by Dame Agnes Mellers, widow of Richard Mellers - a bell-founder and Mayor of Nottingham. She was granted a royal charter from Henry VIII. It had early links with Oxford and Cambridge to which many boys went as scholars. From the turn of the 19th century it expanded steadily to its present size and in 1868 moved to its present position between the Arboretum and the Forest - a very agreeable, urban site with fine gardens. The large campus is both well designed and well equipped, with many recent developments including new music, art and design and science centres, a modern languages centre and a new sixth form centre. It is a well-run school with motivated pupils and staff. Its academic standards are high and examination results are excellent. Music is very strong with a range of musical groups. There is much activity in drama throughout the school. Sports and games are compulsory for everyone and high standards are attained each year (the school has an outstanding record at county and national level). Numerous clubs and societies cater for most conceivable needs. Chess is especially strong. There is a large and flourishing CCF and an active scout group. At any one time there are over 120 pupils taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for silver and gold awards. Outdoor pursuits such as orienteering, canoeing and rock-climbing are widely encouraged and expeditions and foreign trips are frequent. The school combines with Nottingham Girls' High School in joint theatrical productions, concerts, scouts etc. A large number of boys are actively engaged in local community work.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 849 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. All skills besides academic ability are recognised; no special religious requirements. State school entry, 44% main intake, 90% to sixth form. Own junior provides some 45+% of intake, enquiries/application to the Headmaster, Nottingham High junior school (same address, tel 0115 845 2214, email juniorinfo@nottinghamhigh.co.uk).
12 pa scholarships and means-tested entrance bursaries, 2 HSBC scholarships; additional sixth form scholarships and bursaries including Ogden Trust science bursary.
Headmaster: Kevin Fear, in post from 2007. Educated at Douai School and at universities of Southampton (history) and Nottingham (education). Previously Deputy Head at the school, and Head of History and i/c marketing at King's School, Chester. Teaching staff: 74 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 130 pupils in Year 11; 100% gained at least grade C in 7+ subjects. A-levels: 114 in upper sixth: 96% passed in 4+ subjects; 4% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 465.
93% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (11% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 12% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 23% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in business and finance, 24% in other subjects. Others typically go on to non-degree courses or into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 GCSE subjects, 21 AS and 18 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS general studies, many choose to take A-level. 21% take science A-levels; 23% arts/humanities; 56% both. Vocational: Work shadowing available. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Italy, Spain). ICT: Taught both as discrete subject in Year 7 and cross-curricular in Years 8-13; most subjects use ICT where appropriate. 246 computers for staff and pupil use (access 8 hours/day), all networked on fast ethernet network, and with email and internet access.
Music: Approx 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Musical groups include 2 orchestras, 3 bands, a number of choirs and ensembles. 1 band in finals of national concert band championships; biennial foreign music tour. Drama: Drama offered. Strong tradition of school productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take art GCSE, 7 A-level; 32 take design technology GCSE, 3 A-level. Significant extra-curricular design and technology through young engineers activities.
Sport: Rugby, athletics, cricket compulsory in first year; options thereafter include badminton, cross-country, hockey, squash. Sixth form only: football, golf, squash, shooting, weight training. Recent national representatives at cross-country, rugby, hockey, golf, athletics, orienteering, swimming, chess. Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and Community Action both optional at age 14. Up to 40 clubs, including canoing, climbing, music, politics, Scouts, stage staff, fencing, debating, Christian Union, chemistry, chess, bridge, eco-schools.
Uniform: School uniform worn, suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for sporting and cultural activities. School captain, prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster based on recommendations from staff and prefects. Religion: Attendance at non-denominational religious assemblies compulsory, unless parents request exemption. Social: Joint concerts and theatrical productions, politics society, Explorer Scouts with Nottingham High Girls. French and German exchange visits. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike. Meals formal, with a range of options. School shop.
Structured sanctions to match severity of offence, eg warning, detention, Saturday detention as appropriate. Firm, clearly explained procedures to combat bullying, involvement with drugs, etc.
is run by Rob Dunmore, c/o the school.
Kenneth Clarke, Geoff Hoon, Edward Balls (politicians); D H Lawrence, Robert Macfarlane (writers); Jesse Boot (founder of Boots the chemist); Lord Richardson (governor, Bank of England); Sir Douglas Wass (head of the Civil Service).
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