Founded in 1996 as a co-educational day school, it is located in central London from where it can make full use of the city's cultural amenities. The school is small, so individual attention can be paid to pupils in order to nurture and develop their personal strengths. Academic achievement is balanced with opportunities in music, drama and art. Sports are popular with regular success at a regional level. Pupils can also take part in a number of extra-curricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, outward bound excursions and debating.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 361 pupils (275 boys, 86 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used. For sixth form entry at least 5 GCSEs with grade C. Some 50% of intake at 11 from state schools. No special skills or religious requirements necessary.
13-15 pa scholarships, value up to 50% of fees: 5 awarded at age 11, 8 at 16 (7 academic, 2 each for sport, music, drama, art). 12 pa bursaries available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks: additional extras approximately £400 pa.
Headmaster: Richard Walker, in post from 1993. Educated at Hinckley Grammar School and Loughborough University (chemistry). Previously Head of Chemistry at St Paul’s Girls’ School. Member of the SHMIS General Committee and Education Committee. Publications include GCSE Chemistry (Penguin). Teaching staff: 43 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 60 pupils in Year 11; 85% gained grades C+ in 8+ subjects, 3% in 5-7 subjects. A-level: 15 pupils in upper sixth; 40% passed in 4+ subjects, 27% in 3 subjects. Average final point score 237.
87% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 14% take courses in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 32% in art and design and 14% in other vocational subjects.
GCSE, AS/A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects, 24 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; all take a mixture of arts and sciences. General studies is not taken. Key skills integrated into various activities throughout. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EAL and support for dyslexia provided. Languages: French, Italian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. French compulsory to age 14; French Italian or Spanish to age 16. Regular exchanges to France, Italy and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Most pupils take ECDL and GCSE. 80 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access.
Music: 30+% of pupils learn a musical instrument, instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestra, choir, chamber music, jazz groups and a rock band. Pupil plays (principal harp) for National Youth Orchestra. Drama and dance: Drama is part of curriculum and offered to GCSE. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Recent productions include Grease and My Fair Lady. Art and design: On average 6 take GCSE, 4 AS-level and 2 A-level. Photography and design also offered.
Sports: National curriculum sports compulsory from age 11-16. GCSE, AS/A-level PE can be taken. Recent Westminster swimming champions. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; community service optional. 10+ clubs, including origami, Christian Union, drama, debating and netball.
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No houses. School prefects. School council. Religion: Non-denominational; religious worship is not compulsory. Social: Debates and sport with other local schools. Regular exchanges to France and Spain; numerous cultural excursions to galleries, theatres etc; Outward Bound (all years). Pupils may bring own bike to school. Meals informal, packed lunches.
Failure to produce homework will result in a note in the homework diary. Pupils caught with illegal drugs can expect permanent exclusion. A firm but fair approach is taken to disciplinary breaches.
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