Founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, a merchant of London and Reading. In 1947 it moved to its present premises at Holme Park, in the village of Sonning-on-Thames. The main buildings comprise a magnificent brick-and-flint mansion in the Tudor collegiate style of architecture. It lies in a beautiful 46 acre wooded estate with a most agreeable frontage along the River Thames at Sonning Lock. The school is well appointed and comfortable and there are good modern facilities, including a science centre, drama studio, ICT centre and library suite. Close links with the Church of England are maintained and pupils are educated in an atmosphere where Christian values and standards are recognised and established within the community. A broad, sound and general education is provided and examination results are good. Music is very strong and there is a variety of orchestral and choral groups. Art and drama have a high profile in the school. Facilities for games and sports are very good; the new sports hall has a fitness suite, climbing wall and courts for badminton, basketball and hockey. The CCF is a large voluntary unit with Army, Navy and Air Force sections. A wide range of clubs and societies caters for most needs. Activities include kayaking, film club and community work. Considerable enterprise is shown in organising expeditions, excursions and tours overseas.
Pupils: Age range 11-18, 670 pupils (610 boys, 60 girls). Entrance: Entry at ages 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, interview, 7 good GCSEs (grade B in sixth form subjects) and reasoning tests. State school entry, 50% main intakes plus 25% to sixth form.
Range of scholarships and bursaries, including academic, music and art awards, based on merit and need. Foundation scholarships, up to 100% of fees, available according to financial need.
Headmaster: Michael J Windsor, in post since 2009. Educated Bristol Cathedral School (a chorister) and at the Durham University (German with French), Institute of Education (PGCE) and Birkbeck (MA). Previously Deputy Head of Royal Grammar (Guildford) and Undermaster at Kings College School. Has also worked in publishing and taught English in Italy. Teaching staff: 66 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 92 pupils in fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 10.2). A Level: 92 pupils in upper sixth, passing an average of 3 subjects, with a final points score of 365.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (some after a gap year). 40% take courses in science and engineering, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 4% in music. Others typically go directly to careers or art or drama colleges.
GCSE, AS and A-levels: 21 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (1 complementary), 3 at A-level. 48% took science A-levels, 35% arts/humanities; 17% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. All upper sixth take a contemporary studies programme. Vocational: Work experience in fourth year. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg CAD in design and technology, specialist language programmes). 80 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestra, wind band, jazz band, choir. Some pupils in regional youth orchestra. Drama: A-level performing arts offered. Pupils are involved in school and house productions; recent productions of Les Misérables, My Fair Lady, Frankenstein and a junior production of Animal Farm. Art and design: On average 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Regular exhibitions. Artists-in-residence programme.
Sport: All play rugby (autumn), soccer (spring), cricket and athletics (summer). Additional options for seniors: hockey, rowing, squash, tennis etc. AS and A-level sport and PE offered. Representatives in national rowing and rugby teams; county representatives in rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional from age 13. Internationally successful public speaking and debating. Clubs include archery, film-makers club, drama, ICT networking, kayaking, sailing, climbing and many others.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster on the recommendation of staff and sixth form. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Conferences (sixth form) and lectures jointly with other local schools. Trips abroad include annual skiing trip, sports tours (to France, Australia), rowing camps in Europe, language trips (to France, Germany and Spain), World Challenge expeditions (eg to Vietnam, Guatemala, Belize, Thailand), First Challenge (Morocco), expeditions (eg to Bolivia and Cambodia). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Lunch cafeteria-style (in dining hall or sixth form café).
Depends on close co-operation between tutor, pupil and parent.
Mike Golding (round-the-world yachtsman), Tom Rowlands (the Chemical Brothers), Richard Josey (engraver), Matt Allwright (TV presenter).
|
