Founded in 1897 by Margaret Isabella Gardiner, it is one of the few schools of its period actually designed and built as a boarding school. Founded as a girls' school, boys have been accepted since 2003. It stands in 75 acres of beautiful gardens, lawns and playing fields near the Suffolk coast and within walking distance of Southwold. It is very well equipped and facilities include a sports hall, fitness centre, climbing tower and indoor swimming pool and, most recently, a 200-seat state-of-the-art theatre. Non-denominational in its foundation, it welcomes pupils of every religious faith and spiritual life is important. The school encourages all pupils to achieve their personal best, both academically and socially; every child's education needs are supported by their own individual tutor within a caring pastoral system. The academic curriculum is broad-based and examination results are good. A wide range of sports are available, including horse riding, wall climbing and water sports; there are regular county, regional and national representatives in swimming and at county level in football, tennis and athletics. There is also a wide range of extra-curricular activities; pupils are encouraged to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and many achieve gold award before they leave.
Pupils: Total age range 1-18; 454 pupils, 365 day (161 boys, 204 girls), 89 boarders (44 boys, 45 girls). Senior department 11-18, 251 pupils (116 boys, 135 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 5, 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (preferably grade B in sixth form subjects). Many senior pupils from own prep department.
Academic, sport and performing arts scholarships available at 11, 13 and 16; also music scholarships/exhibitions at 10, 14 and 16.
Headmaster: Dr Simon Letman, in post from 2012. Previously Director of Professional Development for HMC, Head of History and Director of Studies at Royal Hospital School. Teaching staff: 100 full time, 30 part time.
GCSE: 15 pupils in upper fifth; all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 16 in upper sixth: 89% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 327.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 28% take courses in science, engineering and maths, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 27% in other vocational subjects such as business, hotel management, drama. Others often go on to art or music colleges.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects offered, 22 AS-level, 18 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not taken. Key skills integrated into curriculum. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Enhanced learning centre for gifted, talented and learning support pupils; EFL programme for foreign students. Languages: French, Latin and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges. French, German, Russian and Spanish pupils attend school for up to a year. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 80 computers, networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Variety of musical groups including chapel and chamber choirs, choral society, orchestras, number of chamber ensembles (piano trio, string quartets), jazz group, rock band. Some pupils in North Suffolk and Suffolk Youth orchestras. 2 major productions annually, termly concerts. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE and A-level drama may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: GCSE and A-level can be taken; fine art, design and photography are all offered.
Sport: Principal sports are rugby, football, cricket, hockey, netball, swimming, tennis, rounders, athletics, gymnastics, trampolining, basketball, wall climbing, life-saving. Equestrian course available. Regular county and regional representatives, particularly in hockey, netball, swimming and athletics. Swimming is particularly strong; two pupils selected for the potential Team GB squad at the 2012 Olympics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. A wide range of activities including drama, gym, magazine production, karate, aerobics, jazz dance, Young Enterprise, orienteering, guides, cycle maintenance, Army Cadet Force.
Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth form wear tailored suit. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, heads of school, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Headmaster, after staff consultation. School council. Religion: Non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship expected. Confirmation classes. Social: Debates and music jointly with other local schools. Modern language, skiing, art and Duke of Edinburgh's Award trips abroad. Sixth form allowed to bring cars to school. Meals self-service.
High expectations; respect for all. Hard line on drugs, alcohol and smoking.
40% have own study bedroom, 60% share with 1-3. Single-sex houses of 10-30, divided by age group; co-ed sixth form house. 2 weekend exeats a term; extensive weekend boarding programme.
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