Founded in 1514, the school is situated in 64 acres, on the outskirts of a small market town, 12 miles from York and 20 miles from Hull. The school has excellent facilities including a performing arts centre, astroturf pitches and a new sixth form centre. Facilities are shared with the junior school Lyndhurst which operates autonomously but is located on the same campus. It is an Anglican foundation but pupils from all denominations are accepted. There is a wide range of pupils, from those with mild learning difficulties to those aiming for top universities. The school has a strong sense of community; pupils are provided with effective teaching in small classes and given the opportunities necessary to achieve personal goals. Examination results are good. Music, drama and art thrive, as do sport, outdoor education, community service, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and other extracurricular activities.
Pupils: Total age range 11-18; 671 pupils, 545 day (306 boys, 239 girls), 127 boarding (75 boys, 52 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam at 11 and 13, Common Entrance also at 13; for sixth form entry 6 GCSEs (4 at grade B, 2 at C). 50% of entry at 11+ from own junior school, Lyndhurst (enquiries to Admissions Secretary, Lyndhurst School, same address, tel 01759 321228).
Scholarships (up to £2500 pa) and bursaries (up to £1000) awarded at 11, 13 and 16. Also means-tested sixth-form bursaries up to 100% of day fees.
Headmaster: Mark Ronan, in post from 2008. Educated at Cambridge University (economics). Previously Deputy Head at Trent College, Head of Economics and Housemaster at Rugby, and a career in corporate banking prior to taking up teaching. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 15 part time. Average age 35-40.
GCSE: 88 pupils in fifth year, 99% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 83 in upper sixth; 10% passed in 4+ subjects, 88% in 3 subjects - achieving an average final point score of 360.
85% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (usually occasional pupil to Oxbridge). 3% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 31% in science and engineering, 48% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design. Others typically go on to HND or straight into careers.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects, 25 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 10% took science A-levels; 15% arts/humanities; 75% both. Key skills integrated in specific topic lessons. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL for foreign students; specialist dyslexic help. Languages: French, Spanish, German and Latin offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum eg research and presentations skills in sixth form projects. 80 computers for pupil use (4 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. GCSE and A-level offered.
Music: 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, choir, chamber choir, concert band, early music group, brass group, flute choir, opera group. Drama: A-level theatre studies may be taken. Most pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 39 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Photography/video offered.
Sport: Hockey, netball, rounders, cricket, rugby, gymnastics, swimming, cross-country, tennis compulsory. Optional: badminton, basketball, athletics, golf, riding, squash, volleyball, trampolining, orienteering, gliding. County hockey, tennis and rugby players. Activities: CCF compulsory for a year at age 15, community service at age 17. School runs talking newspaper for the blind in East Riding. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, computer, conservation, debating, electronics, film, history, literary, orienteering.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. House and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects. Religion: Church of England. Friday and Sunday morning services and regular assemblies. Social: Organised events; trips abroad to France, Germany and Italy. Day pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
30% have own study bedroom, 65% share with others. Single-sex houses, of approximately 40. Good pastoral support. Central dining room. 2 weekend exeats and half-term.
Old Pocklintonians, run by Mrs Rachel Dare (tel 01759 321307, email darer@pocklingtonschool.com).
Sir James Cobban (former Headmaster of Abingdon School); Sir Tom Stoppard, Martin Crimp (playwrights); William Wilberforce (social reformer); Adrian Edmondson (comedian and actor); Stewart Eldon (former British Ambassador to Ireland).
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