Founded in 1877 as a boys' school, it became co-educational in 1995; it merged with St Dunstan's Girls' School in 2005. The school is based in Ford Park, close to the city centre, and the recently-modernised preparatory school is at Millfields. The International Baccalaureat is offered as an alternative to traditional A-levels. The school is strong in art, music and drama. A very good range of sports and games is played to high standards. There is a wide range of activities, including adventure training, CCF and a very successful Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. A number of overseas expeditions are also organised each year.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 554 pupils, 441 day (273 boys, 168 girls), 113 boarding (66 boys, 47 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam, although pupils who have successfully attended its own prep school are automatically accepted. For sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements.
Scholarships at age 11, academic (up to 50% fees), art, music and sport (30% of fees) and sixth form (33% of fees). Also some bursaries.
Headmaster: Dr Simon Wormleighton, in post from 2006. Educated at Rendcombe and at Southampton University (English). Previously Headmaster at Grenville College and Housemaster at Cheltenham College. Teaching staff: 54 full time, 15 part time.
GCSE: 109 in Year 11; 78% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 71 in upper sixth; 25% passed in 4+ subjects, 58% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 311.
Sport: Archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, climbing, cricket, fencing, football, golf, hockey, netball, rugby, sailing, swimming, tennis. BAGA and RYA exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards (some 120 pupils involved). CCF optional from Year 10. Up to 15 clubs, including dry-slope skiing, sailing, walking, glass painting, pottery, chess, debating, electronics, climbing, caving, science, astronomy, Christian Union, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, heads of house and house prefects appointed by the Headmaster. School Council. Religion: Attendance at religious worship not compulsory. Social: Young Enterprise, music festivals, sports leadership scheme etc with other local schools. Organised trips abroad include annual French and German exchanges; biannual rugby, cricket, hockey tours; skiing trip; classics trip. Pupils not allowed to bring bikes/cars to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Eden Philpotts (novelist/playwright), Wilson Harris (MP/editor Spectator), JC Trewin (author/theatre critic), Pete Goss (yachtsman), Paul Ackford (England rugby international), Michael Ball (singer), Richard Deacon (sculptor, Turner Prize winner), Dawn French (comedian),
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