Founded in 1863, the original buildings were in the centre of Oxford. In 1873 the school moved to Summertown, two miles north of the city. There it enjoys a site of about 100 acres, including 90 acres of playing fields. The agreeable original buildings are in the Victorian collegiate style. There has been a comprehensive programme of renovation and development and the school is now very well equipped; the most recent additions are the life sciences building (a flagship in sustainable design) and an arts centre which comprises a theatre, rehearsal space and dance studio. It is a purposeful, friendly and unpretentious school, now fully co-educational (girls have been admitted to the sixth form since 1981, at 13 since 1997). The staff:pupil ratio is a very favourable 1:8. The school now offers the International Baccalaureate alongside traditional A-levels. Academic standards are high and examination results are very good. There is a dynamic musical tradition (two orchestras, a concert band, jazz band and choir), and strong drama with numerous productions each year. Dance is particularly popular. Sport is well provided for and high and national standards are achieved, particularly in rugby, hockey and rowing. A large number of clubs and societies cater for a wide range of interests. The CCF includes Army, Air Force and Naval sections and there is a good deal of emphasis on open-air adventure training. Ample use is made of the cultural facilities of Oxford.
Pupils: Age range 13-18, 667 pupils, 155 day (108 boys, 47 girls), 512 boarding (321 boys, 191 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance exam used; own exam for sixth form entry. State school entry 2%.
13+ entry scholarships and awards at age 13 and 16+ (academic, all-rounder, music, art, sport, drama and dance), which can be backed by means-tested bursaries. Other bursaries available, including for children of clergy and university teachers.
8% are international
Warden: Andrew Trotman, appointed 2004. Educated at Alleyne's Grammar School, Stevenage, and Oxford University (English). Previously Head Master of St Peter's (York), Deputy Rector at Edinburgh Academy, Housemaster at Abingdon School and teacher at Radley. Teaching staff: 106 full and part time.
GCSE: 132 pupils in fifth, 96% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 140 in upper sixth, 14% passing in 4+ subjects, 83% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 357.
100% of sixth form leavers usually go on to a degree (or art foundation) course, 10% to Oxbridge. Typically, 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 33% in science and engineering, 55% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design, 6% in vocational and practical subjects eg land management, business, management.
GCSE, AS and A-level, and IB Diploma. 22 GCSE subjects offered, 26 AS/A-level. Sixth form: 25% of sixth formers take the IB Diploma. Most of the remainder take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-5 at A-level. 25% took sciences, 35% arts/humanities, 40% both. Special provision: available for pupils with mild dyslexia. Languages: French, German, Greek, Latin and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Other languages available. Regular exchanges. ICT: Integrated into all courses. Some 1100 workstations across the school.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups, include orchestra, concert band, big band, choral society, chapel choir, chamber music groups, string quartets. Drama: Some pupils are involved in school productions; all first year in house/other productions. 10 productions a year; most recently Little Shop of Horrors, We Will Rock You, Good. House festival directed by senior pupils. Art and design: On average 40 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Design, woodwork, metalwork, plastics, ceramics, graphics, art history and photography also offered.
Sport: Major sports are rugby, hockey, netball, rowing, cricket, tennis. Also athletics, squash, sailing, cross-country, swimming, golf, fitness training, badminton, basketball, volley-ball, 5-a-side soccer, 6-a-side hockey, gymnastics, judo, real tennis, table tennis, karate, rounders. National girls hockey finalists. Activities: CCF voluntary from age 14. Community service. Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Some 25 clubs, including school magazine, petanque, dance, climbing, debating.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout but different in sixth form (suits). Houses and prefects: Competitive houses; day pupils are allocated a room in houses alongside boarders. School prefects, joint head boy and girl, heads of houses and house prefects, appointed by the Head after a straw poll of pupils and staff. House councils. Religion: Church of England school. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Many events with other schools through Oxford Independent State School partnership; new North Wall Arts Centre is a community project. Trips abroad include language visits, history of art (eg Florence, Paris), history (Berlin, Russia), RS/classics (Rome), culture (Ethiopia, Malawi), choir tour (USA), rowing camp (Spain), climbing (Switzerland), sports tours (South Africa, West Indies). Pupils allowed to bring own bikes to school. Meals self-service. School shop.
Rules and sanctions are transparent and clearly understood. Emphasis is placed on pupils taking responsibility for their own decisions. Wherever possible, any punishment is designed to match the misdemeanour.
Sixth formers usually have single study; lower years share with 2-3. Single-sex houses (11), of some 60 day and boarding pupils; same as competitive houses. Kitchenettes for making basic snacks. School health centre open 24/7 with regular GP surgeries. 2 leave weekends a term, plus 2 short weekends by arrangement. Pupils have monitored access into nearby Summertown.
St Edward's School Society, run by Phillipa Minty; email ose@stedwards.oxon.sch.uk or tel 01865 319438.
George Fenton (film music eg Shadowlands); Peter Rawlins (Stock Exchange); Jon Snow (news journalist); Sir Stephen Tumin (judge); Laurence Olivier (actor); John Berger, Kenneth Grahame (writers); Guy Gibson (leader of the Dambusters raid); Douglas Bader (fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain); Lord Sandberg; Katie Knapman (Tomorrow's World presenter).
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