Founded in 1749, originally to provide an education for the sons of deceased clergy of the Church of England and the Church of Wales. It moved from London to its present site in 1855 where it lies on a spur of the Downs in 60 acres of fine grounds a mile from Canterbury, with a magnificent view of the city and its cathedral. It enjoys substantial and well-designed buildings. The main structure, in Kentish ragstone, dates from 1855. There has been much expansion since 1975 and it is now very well equipped, with excellent teaching facilities, well resourced libraries, a new performing arts centre and good access to information technology. The junior school is housed in a separate building and a self-contained wing of the main building. Girls were admitted in the 1980s and it is now fully co-educational. The Christian basis of the school continues to be of prime importance and the chapel plays a central role in the life of the school. Its aim is to provide varied opportunities for academic, sporting, artistic, musical and dramatic achievement, so the pupils can explore and realise their individual potential, leaving school as well-rounded young men and women. Academic standards are high and examination results good. Music is very strong indeed and there are numerous ensembles (thirty Cathedral choristers in the junior school). Sports and games are well catered for and played to a high standard. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including a strong CCF (Army section), the British Association of Young Scientists and Young Enterprise and local community services.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 553 pupils, 441 day (255 boys, 186 girls) and 112 boarding (75 boys, 37 girls). Senior department 13-18, 300 pupils (175 boys, 125 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (B in sixth form subjects). Small state school intake to senior school; many from own junior (enquiries to The Master, St Edmund's Junior School, same address).
18-25 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama and music; also chorister scholarships (boys 7-9). Variable number of bursaries. Fee reductions for children of service/diplomatic personnel, clergy, teaching staff, siblings and former pupils.
Headmaster: Jeremy Gladwin, appointed 2005. Educated at King's (Worcester), Whitgift and Durham University (geography). Previously Deputy Headmaster of the Royal Hospital School and Housemaster and Head of Geography at Shrewsbury. Teaching staff: 95 full time, 25 specialist music teachers. Average age 35.
GCSE: 62 pupils in upper fifth: 98% gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average 9.7 subjects). A-levels: 58 in upper sixth; 5% pass in 4+ subjects, 93% in 3 subjects. Average final points score achieved by upper sixth 340.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 5% in vocational subjects eg sports science, business management.
GCSE, AS, A-levels and AQA Baccalaureate. 20 GCSE subjects, 22 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take school's own general studies programme (not examined), which also covers key skills. 28% take maths/science A-levels; 41% arts/humanities; 31% both. Languages: French, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE; French and Spanish to A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum; most pupils take City and Guilds basic ICT. 80 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; musical exams can be taken. 16 musical groups including choral society, chamber choir, symphony and string orchestras; wind, jazz, big band, percussion and brass ensembles. A number in national and county youth orchestras; several individual festival winners. Drama and dance: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies can be taken. Many pupils involved in school productions; recent productions of Grease, Godspell and Daisy Pulls it Off. Art and design: Drawing, painting, print-making, ceramics, sculpture and traditional and digital photography also offered.
Sport: Compulsory; choice of soccer, hockey, cricket, tennis, swimming, badminton, basketball, netball, rounders, squash, volleyball, aerobics, dance, fitness training, gymnastics. Optional: golf, judo, fencing, table tennis, ice-skating, sailing. GCSE and A-level sports studies offered, also BAGA and CFS sports studies. Activities: Pupils take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 14, optional at other ages (over 13). Community service optional. Over 50 clubs or activities, including photography, film, natural history, chess, science, debating, literary, geography, choreography.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dark suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. School captain, vice-captain and prefects appointed by the Headmaster. House captain and house prefects appointed by housemasters. Religion: Church of England. Regular chapel services. Social: Links with France, Germany and Poland; trips abroad to eg Iceland, Austria, Canada, Italy. Pupils allowed to bring their own car to school. Meals self-service (except eg Christmas dinner). School shop. No alcohol allowed.
As applied under the 'Senior School Code of Conduct', which includes self-respect, courtesy and consideration for others.
Up to 50% have own study bedroom, others share; some have ensuite facilities. All in one house, divided by age group and sex. Resident qualified nurse. Pupils can provide and cook food. Exeats possible each weekend. Visits to local towns allowed on Sundays and twice a week (13-16-year olds) plus 1 evening a week for those 17+.
Robin Jackman (cricketer); Freddy Kempf (pianist); Darren Henley (Managing Director, Classic FM); Orlando Bloom, Michael Sadler (actors); Howard Harrison (hockey player); Rodney Butcher (director/ producer); Jon Baddeley (presenter); Edward K L Kuok, Chye Kuok (businessmen); Chris Nickols (Air Vice-Marshal); Major-General Mark Strudwick (British Army in Scotland).
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