Founded in 1853, the school moved to its present site in 1924, where it stands in a delightful 100-acre parkland setting. Its elegant and well-appointed buildings include a fine chapel, library, sixth-form centre and new performing arts centre. The school is affiliated to the Church of England but pupils of all persuasions are welcome and the resulting multi-cultural pupil population is celebrated as a strength. A good all-round education is provided and examination results are very good. Music, drama and art are strong. There are very good facilities for sports and games, including a large sports hall, gymnasium and indoor swimming pool. It has a plentiful range of extra-curricular clubs and societies and the CCF has Army and RAF units. Full use is made of the estate and a great deal of enterprise is shown in cultural visits, expeditions abroad etc. The school is recognised for its involvement in the Model United Nations programme: there is an annual four-day conference at the school and delegations are successfully sent each year to the conferences in The Hague and Dublin.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 845 pupils: 710 day (406 boys, 304 girls), 135 boarding (70 boys, 65 girls). Senior department 11-18, 560 pupils (314 boys, 246 girls). Entrance: Main entry age 11. Own entrance exam, report and interview; for sixth-form entry, at least 6 GCSEs at grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects or grade A for maths). State school entry, 30% main intake (small numbers to sixth form); many senior pupils from own junior school (enquiries to the Headmaster, Royal Russell Junior School, tel 020 8651 5884).
Variable number of scholarships at age 11, 13 and 16 (academic, music, drama). Variable bursaries for entrants at age 11. Bursaries for children of forces personnel.
Headmaster: Christopher J Hutchinson, in post from 2011. Educated at Shrewsbury and at universities of Sheffield (metallurgy) and Cambridge (education). Previously Head of Newcastle School for Boys. Teaching staff: 64 full time in senior school, 11 part time. Annual turnover 7%.
GCSE: 84 pupils in fifth: 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 71 in upper sixth, 95% passing in 4+ subjects, with an average final point score of 346.
Typically all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (3% after a gap year). 4% take courses in medicine, 35% science and engineering, 24% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in law or architecture, 32% in business-related or management, 1% to work related training.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 exam subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL for foreign pupils; help for small number of dyslexic students. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular visits to France and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject, and across the curriculum, (eg spreadsheets, databases and DTP). 250 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken, also GCSE and A-level. Musical groups include orchestra, chapel choir, chamber choir, various other occasional ensembles. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE, AS and A-level and Trinity acting exams may be taken. Many school productions with high level of student involvement. Drama scholars regularly appeared on TV and national stage. Art and design: Popular at GCSE, AS and A-level with elements of pottery, graphics and 3-D design offered. Extra-curricular art and design always available. Students often accepted on art foundation courses.
Sport: Football, hockey, cricket for boys; netball, football and rounders for girls; also swimming, basketball, badminton, athletics, tennis, softball, trampolining, cross-country, gymnastics. Optional: squash, volleyball, aerobics, judo, fencing, dry-slope skiing, orienteering, table tennis. Fifth and sixth form only: weight training. Many pupils in county teams. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Many extra-curricular clubs, eg art, chess, computing, dance, drama, equestrian, Japanese, Model United Nations, Warhammer, young engineers, Young Enterprise.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, ratified by the Headmaster. Heads of houses and house prefects appointed by house staff. Religion: Church of England, though open to all faiths or none. Social: Trips abroad include annual ski trips, French and Spanish, World Expedition. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school (subject to strict controls). Meals self-service with separate sixth form facilities. Day pupils may stay for supervised prep period and evening meal. No alcohol allowed.
Expectations of behaviour are high and based on mutual respect.
Martin Clunes (actor); Elly Jackson (La Roux, electropop band).
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