Founded in 1509 and established in 1552 by King Edward VI's Royal Charter, it is in the centre of Guildford, on both sides of the Upper High Street. The original buildings are handsome examples of Tudor architecture in the Oxbridge collegiate style and have been in continuous use for over 400 years. A large 1960s building on the other side of the High Street contains modern laboratories, technology workshops and a library; an auditorium, sports hall and outdoor activities centre have recently opened. Religious education is an integral part of the curriculum and RE periods are compulsory at all levels. Assemblies are Christian, and the school is closely linked with Holy Trinity Church nearby. Academic standards are high and examination results excellent. Music and drama are strong. A wide variety of sports and games is offered on excellent facilities, some off-site. Pupils have recently won national and international honours in a number of sports, from rugby to sailing. There is an impressive range of clubs and societies and both the CCF contingent and scout group flourish. A large number of pupils takes part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and many pupils contribute to local community services.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 930 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, good grades at GCSE (grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% of intakes at 11 and 16. Feeder schools include Lanesborough, Cranmore, Holy Trinity and South Farnham schools.
20 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: 12-14 academic, 1 art, 4-6 music (6-10 awarded each at 11 and 13). 8-12 bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmaster: Dr Jonathan Cox, in post since 2007. Educated at St Mary's College, Southampton, and at Southampton University and the Royal College of Music. Previously Second Master at Whitgift School. Teaching staff: 76 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: On average, 155 pupils in fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 150 in upper sixth: 27% pass in 4+ subjects; 73% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 425.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 26% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 32% in science and engineering, 60% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, IGCSE (maths, sciences), AS- and A-levels. 23 GCSE and AS-level subjects, 18 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (4th usually complementary, rather than contrasting), 3-4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 30% take science A-levels; 14% arts/humanities; 56% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also Latin and classical Greek. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, (eg DTP, perspective drawing and animation in art). 80 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with internet access.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including chamber orchestra, big band, string orchestra, choir, choral society. Busy schedule of concerts; boys in county Youth Orchestra and at junior colleges of music. Recent choral and organ scholarships to Oxbridge; many past pupils active in the music profession. Drama: Drama offered. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: All take art and design in Years 7-9; on average, 20 take GCSE, 6 A-level. Art appreciation and sixth form life drawing classes also offered.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, swimming, basketball, badminton, weight training, volleyball, fitness testing, handball, cross country, shooting, sailing, climbing, tennis. Sixth form options: soccer, squash, golf, table tennis, mountain biking. RLSS and RYA exams may be taken. Regular county representatives in rugby, hockey, cricket; recent national and international honours in rugby, athletics, cricket, sailing, rowing, rifle shooting, martial arts and skiing. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Either CCF, Scouts or DofE compulsory for 13-14 year olds; wider choice for 15+, eg Visually Handicapped Club outings; visits to day centre for children (aged 3-5) of single parents. Up to 30 clubs, eg technology, Christian Union, philosophy, feature film, radio, chess, bridge, writers' workshop, drama, music.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and four other senior prefects (appointed by the Headmaster); head of house (appointed by housemaster). Religion: Non-denominational. Social: Music, drama and sixth-form general studies programme with girls' schools. French, German and Spanish exchanges; ski holidays, sport and music tours. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school (with permission). Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework may receive a detention. Anyone involved with drugs can expect expulsion.
is run by D H B Jones, c/o the school.
R G D Willis (England cricketer); Terry Jones (Monty Python), Professor Andrew Hamilton (ex-Provost of Yale, Vice-Chancellor, Oxford University), James Purnell MP.
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