Founded in 1917, the school has a very fine site of 230 acres in beautiful Berkshire countryside, a mile from Pangbourne village, including a stretch of the River Thames. There have been many improvements and additions in recent years and the college is now very well equipped. It was founded to train boys for a career at sea but is now co-educational and provides a balanced education, leading to higher education; examination results are good. The International Baccalaureat Diploma is offered from September 2009 alongside A-levels. As a legacy of its history as a nautical college, there is a structured programme of learning for leadership and teamwork. The college has a strong tradition of success in music and drama. There is a chapel choir, a choral society, an orchestra, swing band and marching band. Each year there is a major annual dramatic production plus a house drama festival and work by the modern theatre group. Sports and games are well provided for (rugby and hockey are strong) and the school has a national reputation for rowing and judo. The CCF is voluntary and there are army and naval contingents and a Royal Marine section. There is an emphasis on outdoor pursuits for which the environment is most suitable. A good range of clubs and societies caters for most extra-curricular activities.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 400 pupils, 225 day (160 boys, 65 girls), 175 boarding (120 boys, 55 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (usually grade B in sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements, but Church of England predominates. State school entry, 20% main intake. Pupils drawn from a range of prep and primary schools in the surrounding area.
Limited number of scholarships and bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
5+% in the armed services. 70+% in industry or commerce. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.
Headmaster: Thomas Garnier, appointed 2005. Educated at universities of Bristol (physics) and Oxford (PGCE). Previously Housemaster and physics teacher at Abingdon.
GCSE: 68 pupils in fifth: 87% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 51 candidates passed an average of 2.8 subjects.
90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (27% after a gap year). 11% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 67% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in art and design, 5% in drama and acting. Others typically go on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS/A-levels and IB Diploma. 17 GCSE subjects, 21 AS-level, 16 A-level (including drama and theatre arts, physical education). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (range 3-5), 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: 4 full-time specialist teachers (plus part-time) provide support in English and maths for dyslexics and EFL for foreigners. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. Some exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught as discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100+ computers for pupil use (8 hours per day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 7 musical groups: orchestra, choirs, chamber, jazz band, marching band, choral society. Biennial European tour of choir and orchestra. Drama: Theatre studies GCSE and A-level may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery offered. Design technology centre is Arkwright centre of excellence.
Sport: No compulsory sports, but most boys play rugby, most girls play hockey and netball. Optional: hockey, rugby, netball, sailing, cricket, rowing, athletics, squash, judo, tennis, golf, cross-country. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. National representatives in rowing, sailing, rugby, soccer; national judo champions, 1st rowing VIII won at Henley Regatta, finalists in national sailing championships, U15 won county rugby cup, girls county hockey champions. Activities: All pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award and can go on to silver and gold. CCF and community service optional. Expeditions to eg Greenland, Madagascar and Kenya (building clinic, dam for water, other community work). Up to 30 clubs and range of activities for all years.
Uniform: School uniform worn by day. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Church of England. Weekly morning prayers for the whole school, or by houses. Sunday chapel. Social: Debates, music, discos, cinema trips, drama frequently organised jointly with local schools. Organised choir and orchestra tours abroad; also sports tours, ski trips, French, German and Spanish language trips. Sixth formers allowed to bring bike to school (mountain bike club). Meals self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention, ie one hour of compulsory extra study time; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises should expect expulsion.
30% have own study bedroom, 50% share (with 1-4); 20% are in dormitories of 6+. Houses of approximately 60, same as for competitive purposes. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room. Pupils can provide own food (some cooking). 2 weekend exeats termly and any Sunday. Flexi-boarding option available. Visits to local village allowed when free - all ages.
Hon Secretary OP Society, c/o the college.
Ken Russell (film director); Mike Hailwood (racing motor cyclist); John Ridgway (transatlantic oarsman); Jeffrey Bernard (journalist); many admirals.
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