Formed in 1987, as a co-educational school, by the amalgamation of two independent Catholic schools - Charlton Park and Whitefriars. The school occupies a large site on the outskirts of the town. It is well equipped and has plenty of space and playing fields. The junior school is close by. It is a Roman Catholic foundation but welcomes pupils of all denominations. The Christian faith is central to the school, not simply as a taught subject but as a way of living. Academic standards and examination results are good. The school aims to be a family school taking pupils of a broad range of ability and getting the best out of each pupil. Amongst the strengths of the school are the creative arts, sport and outdoor pursuits. There is a CCF and a considerable number of clubs and extra-curricular activities.
Pupils: Total age range 11-18; 497 day pupils (270 boys, 227 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages, 11 and 16. Own exam used, Common Entrance accepted; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required. State school entry, 20% at 11 (plus small number to sixth form); 50% from own junior school.
3 pa scholarships (academic, music, sport), worth 25% of fees. Also means-tested bursary-scholarships of up to 100% of fees, approximately 3-4 pa for Year 7 entry.
Headmaster: Dr Andrew J Nash, appointed 2001. Educated at The John Fisher School, Purley, and Cambridge University (English). Previously Deputy Head of the Oratory School. Publications: Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England by John Henry Newman (editor), Newman's Idea of a School (author), Christian Marriage - Covenant in Christ (co-author). Teaching staff: 41 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 85 pupils in Year 11: 99% gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects; average pupil passes 8.9 subjects. A-levels: 57 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 320.
All sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year). 20% take courses in science and engineering, 5% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 20% in other subjects. Others typically go on to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 examination subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, some take AS-level critical thinking. 40% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 20% both. Vocational: Work experience. Special provision: A trained special needs teacher, particularly for dyslexic students. Languages: French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; GCSE Greek on request. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. ECDL taken during Years 10 and 11. 80+ computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over a third of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including flute, string, clarinet groups, jazz band, orchestra, recorder. Music/drama productions. Drama : Offered and GCSE and A-level drama may be taken. All pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 25 A-level.
Sport: Rugby, soccer, hockey, cricket, tennis, rounders, athletics, basketball, netball, swimming compulsory. Optional: squash, badminton, cross-country, volleyball, skiing, aerobics. GCSE and A-level sports studies may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF contingent (army and RAF sections); community service. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, choir, speech and drama, judo, art, music, computers, debating, sports.
Uniform: School uniform worn; separate sixth-form uniform. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, deputies, sports prefects - voted by sixth form and staff, appointed by Headmaster. School Council. Religion: Roman Catholic foundation but students of all denominations welcome. Regular assemblies, Mass and other liturgies each term compulsory. Social: Trips abroad to France, Spain, Greece etc, also skiing; exchanges to France and Germany. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals self-service.
Detentions used when necessary. Minor misdemeanours dealt with by form tutor, more serious are referred to Section Head or Deputy Headmaster.
is run by Mrs P Hemming, c/o the school.
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