Formed in 1999 from the merger of Rydal School (a Methodist boys' school founded in 1885) and Penrhos College (an inter-denominational girls' school founded in 1880). The school is built within the conservation area of Colwyn Bar, a rural town overlooking the Irish Sea and right on the edge of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. The prep school is on an adjacent site. It has excellent facilities and accommodation, to which have recently been added a new library, ICT suite, laboratories, sports hall and astroturf pitches. The teaching is good and so are examination results. It aims to help pupils to become confident, mature and well-educated young people who are academically and socially prepared for the next stage of their lives. The International Baccalaureate is offered alongside AS and A-levels. There is a strong tradition in drama, art and music; and an excellent record in games and sports, including county and international representatives. A wide range of other activities offered, with emphasis on sailing (host to the Pico Nationals, 2010) and outdoor pursuits (ideal because of the proximity of the sea and Snowdonia) and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Very active in charity fundraising and community service.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 413 pupils, 276 day (158 boys, 118 girls), 137 boarding (93 boys, 44 girls). Entrance: Entry at any age. Own entrance tests used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements (but it is a Christian school in Methodist tradition). Many pupils from own prep school, Lyndon Preparatory School (lyndon@rydal-penrhos.com).
Academic scholarships worth £500 (single payment) may be awarded to pupils not eligible for bursaries but most help is in the form of bursaries. 18 pa means-tested bursaries for new entrants: 2 worth 100% of day fees, for residents of the County of Conwy (if family income is less than £25kpa); 6 at age 11 and 13, value 50% of day fee (4 academic, 1 music, 1 sport); and 4 at age 16, value 30%-70% of fees (2 academic, 1 music, 1 sport). Fee reductions for children of Methodist and Anglican ministers; Forces bursaries available.
Headmaster: P A Lee-Browne, appointed 2008. Educated at Malvern College and Cambridge University (English and law) and College of Law, Christleton. Previously Deputy Head at Clifton College, and taught English at King’s School, Canterbury, and at Rugby. Teaching staff: 62 full time.
GCSE: 62 pupils in Year 11, approx 96% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 72 in upper sixth; 50% taking AS/A-levels, gaining an average final points score of 368; 50% taking the IB, with an average IB score of 31.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year); 30% to universities in Germany or the US. 35% take courses in medicine, engineering or mathematics, 25% in business and law, 10% in English, 30% in eg art, music, education.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB Diploma. 24 GCSE subjects, 21 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Key skills taught as discrete units but work from other subjects may contribute to portfolio. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist EFL teaching; learning support. Languages: French, German, Latin and Welsh offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Spanish ab initio available at IB. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. 120 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Approx 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including orchestra, blues/rock group, swing band, chamber and several choirs (10% of pupils in a choir). Biannual concerts, regular performances during chapel, frequent lunchtime concerts. Resident music ensemble give concerts throughout the year. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken; also LAMDA exams on an extra-curricular basis. Strong tradition of full public performance (productions very much a whole-community event). Art and design: GCSE, A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, 3D, history of art, graphics also offered. Many pupils go to art and design colleges.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, swimming, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, squash, weight and fitness training. A-level sports studies offered; also BAGA, RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. Pupils compete at national and county levels at sailing, hockey, athletics, swimming, cross-country and netball. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (including community service) from age 14. Outdoor activities include climbing, canoeing, sailing, white water rafting, underground explorations, horse riding, gorge scrambling, windsurfing, mountain biking, skiing, orienteering, mountaineering, climbing, hill walking and kayaking. Up to 30 clubs, including chess, debating, canoeing, modern languages, film, charity, music, golf and other sports.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dark suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster after consultation. Religion: Methodist. Compulsory morning prayers; Sunday morning service for boarders. Annual confirmation service. Social: Social events (eg balls) with local schools. Trips abroad include skiing, climbing (eg to Austrian Alps), sports tours (eg Canada, Zimbabwe, Barbados, Australia); exchange visits with European schools. Upper sixth day pupils allowed to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Several school shops (tuck, stationery, books, second-hand clothes). No alcohol allowed.
Minor offences are dealt with by verbal reprimand, repeating of poor work, contracting with a pupil on future behaviour and standard of work, and the deprivation of free time. Punishment for major offences ranges from short periods of suspension to expulsion for repeated unacceptable behaviour.
Sixth form in single or double study bedrooms; remainder in rooms of 2-4. Single-sex houses of approximately 30. Resident qualified nurses and local doctor. Central dining room. Pupils can cook snacks in house. Visits to the local town allowed.
run by Mrs H York & Mr G Watson, Secretaries of Rydal Penrhos Society, c/o the school.
Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton (historian); Professor Sir Michael Thompson (Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University); William Roache, Linus Roache (actors); Duncan Kenworthy (film producer); Janet Hargreaves (actress); Roberta Lamming (author); Dr Kathleen Sherry (gynaecologist); Marjorie Young (golf); Moya Jackson (social work, Philippines); Katy Cropper ('One Man and His Dog' TV series winner); Angela Knight (British Bankers Association).
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