Founded in 1850 and co-educational from the start. It occupies an attractive single, semi-rural site with pleasant grounds. Facilities are very good and include an outstanding swimming pool. The school has a Christian ethos, but students from all religious backgrounds are welcomed and provided for. It has a good record of academic achievement which is balanced by a variety of extra-curricular activities to encourage well-rounded development in pupils. Sport is strong, as is the music department. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is well supported, and community service is also offered throughout alongside clubs to suit all interests such as animation, photography and recycling.
Pupils: Total age range 2-18; 361 pupils, 254 day (139 boys, 115 girls), 107 boarding (70 boys, 37 girls). Senior school: 11-18, 238 pupils (139 boys, 99 girls). Entry at any age to 11 and at 16. Own examination used. For sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Many senior pupils from own junior department; some 50% of entrants at 11 from state schools, 30% of sixth form. Ability in swimming and music welcomed.
10+ pa scholarships (academic, music, sport), 3 at age 11, 7 at 16, some in prep school; value 10%-100% of fees. Also some bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Up to 60% of parents live within 30 miles, up to 30% live overseas.
Headmaster: S M Bailey, in post from 2008. Educated at St Edwards College Liverpool and Keele University (geography and geology). Previously Deputy Headmaster at the school, geography teacher and i/c of games at Liverpool College. Teaching staff: 46 full time, 5 part time. Staff turnover 1%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 45 pupils in fifth year; 50% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 30% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 52 in upper sixth; 36% passed in 4+ subjects, 27% in 3, 27% in 2 subjects. Average final points score per pupil 300.
98% of sixth formers go on to a degree course (2% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 60% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 20% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design related subjects. Other pupils typically go directly into industry or family business.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 subjects at A/AS-level, including electronics and photography. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not offered. 60% took A-levels in science/maths, 30% arts and humanities, 10% in a mixture. Key skills are integrated into all academic subjects. Vocational: Work experience available in Year 10. Special provision: Crested status, registered to assess pupils for a variety of learning difficulties. SENCO department and specialist EFL provision. Languages: French, German and Mandarin compulsory from age 11-14. French and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchange trips to Germany and Japan; European exchange students attend school for 1-12 terms. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject and integrated into all teaching. All pupils take at least 1 OCR national qualification in ICT. 2 fully-equipped computer rooms for pupil use throughout the school day, all networked with email and internet access. All classrooms are equipped with electronic whiteboards; boarding rooms have internet access. Most pupils have their own laptops.
Music: some 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Music groups including choir and orchestra. All entrants won prizes in the Dudley Music Festival 2009. School performs at international conference in National Exhibition Centre 2009 and annually at Wolverhampton Civic Centre (raising money for Mayor's charities). Drama and dance: Majority of pupils take part in school productions. Pupils entered for, and successsful in individual acting qualifications. Art: On average 15 students take GCSE, 10 AS/A-level. Textiles and photography also offered. Students regularly gain places at prestigious art colleges.
Sport: Football, netball, hockey, cricket compulsory. Athletics, basketball optional. Badminton for sixth form only. GSCE, AS/A-level PE can be taken. 2 pupils play professional basketball (Telford Warriors). Basketball teams West Midland U19 champions and Wolverhampton City U16 and U19 champions; frequent medals in city gymnastics competitions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; CCF is compulsory in Years 7-11, optional thereafter. Some 6 clubs, including recycling, electronics, photography, animation and lifesaving.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl - elected and interview. School council. Religion: Christian. Attendance at religious worship compulsory on Sunday; pupils from other faiths may be exempt. Social: Trips abroad to eg Barcelona, Sicily and Paris. Skiing trips to Europe. Established exchange opportunities with Seifu High School in Japan. Students may bring own car/bike to school. Meals in school dining hall (included in the fees). No alcohol allowed.
The school operates a positive behaviour policy. Students understand the system and the sanctions are clear; parents are informed of the level of any sanction that may be employed. Failure to produce a piece of homework will result in departmental detention. Any pupil found with illegal substances would be likely to face immediate temporary exclusion which, pending investigation, could be permanent.
70% of boarders have their own study bedrooms, 30% share. Single sex houses of 35-40 pupils; girls in one house, boys in two houses separated by age. 24-hour medical centre, fully qualified nursing staff and access to doctors as required. Small kitchens in all houses for pupil use. Unlimited exeats per term, dependent upon completion of relevant paperwork. Visits to local town allowed, dependant on age.
is run by Mr Brian Kingshott, email brian@park-cottage.fsnet.co.uk
Eric Idle (comedian, Monty Python).
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