Founded in 1509 by John Colet, Dean of St Paul's. A grammar school had previously existed for centuries in connection with the cathedral and Colet probably absorbed this in the new foundation. It moved from the cathedral site to West Kensington in 1884 and to purpose-built premises in Barnes in 1968. To the original buildings, serviceable but lacking distinction, have been added a technology building, art and English block and a purpose-built music school and recital hall. These have greatly improved facilities and enhanced the environment. It is governed by the Mercers' Company, and has its own prep school, Colet Court (founded in 1881) on the same site. Religious instruction is in accordance with the Church of England but attendance at services is voluntary. The academic reputation of the school remains formidable with the classics still prospering. A very high-powered teaching staff is strong in pastoral care and produces outstanding examination results. An exceptional number of leavers goes on to Oxbridge. It is tremendously strong in music, drama, technology and art and these departments work closely together and form an integral part of the academic and social life of the school. In music there is a variety of choirs and instrumental groups. Several plays are produced each year and there are a number of minor workshop productions. The school has a notable record in sports and games (there is a fine sports hall, separate gymnasium, fencing salle and rackets court), most pupils are involved in one or more of them. Some 30 extra-curricular activities are available.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 866 boys (846 day, 20 boarding). Entrance: Main entry age 13; maximum of 12 at 16. Common Entrance and own scholarship exam used after selection interviews at age 11-12; own exam and interviews for sixth form entry. No special skills or religious requirements. A few state school entrants into sixth form (and into Colet Court at 11). Own prep, Colet Court, provides 45% of intake (tel 020 8748 3461).
Up to 153 academic and music scholarships at any one time, value £60 pa (up to 100% if means-tested), awarded at 13 and 16. Increasing number of bursaries for those unable to afford the fees. Parents expected to buy some textbooks; £100 maximum extras.
High Master: Dr Martin Stephen, in post since 2004. Educated at Uppingham and the universities of Leeds (history and English) and Sheffield (PhD). Previously High Master of Manchester Grammar, Headmaster of the Perse and held posts at Sedbergh, Haileybury and Uppingham. Also author of 16 books and over 100 reviews and articles. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 3-4%. Average age 44.
GCSE: 165 pupils in Year 11, all gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 170 in upper sixth: 44% passed in 4+ subjects; 52% in 3-3½ - and achieving an average final point score of 443.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (34% after a gap year), 33% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 26% in science and engineering, 58% in humanities and social sciences.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 28 AS-level subjects, 24 A-level. Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 4% take maths/science A-levels only; 15% arts/humanities; 81% take combinations. Vocational: Work experience following individual careers advice. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; 1 year Japanese course. Exchanges or study trips to France, Germany, Spain and Italy. 5 modern language assistants. Satellite TV from Europe. ICT: Taught both across the curriculum (eg spreadsheets in maths, digital image manipulation in art) and as a discrete subject (for ECDL in Year 9). All pupils have ready access to clusters of computers: 175 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Music offered at GCSE and A-level. Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 25 musical groups including choirs, orchestras, concert band, jazz groups, baroque and classical ensembles, many other chamber groups. Pupils regularly participate in local and national youth orchestras; prize winners at local and national festivals, Royal College of Music, etc. Drama: Drama offered at GCSE and A-level. Large number of pupils are involved in school and other productions. 4 main house and 5-6 studio productions each year, directed by staff and pupils. Internal drama festival. Recent old boys have been in a number of films, acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre and involved in directing and lighting design at the National Theatre. Art and design: On average, 75 take GCSE, 20 AS-level, 20 A-level. Life classes, ceramics, photography, digital video, computer graphics, print making and sculpture offered. Own art gallery for professional and internal exhibitions. Former pupils have gone onto Ruskin, Slade, Royal College of Art and other London art colleges.
Sport: PE programme to GCSE compulsory. Optional: aikido, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross-country, orienteering, fencing, fives, fitness, golf, judo, rackets, rowing, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo. RLSS exams may be taken. Regular Great Britain rowing and fencing honours and national success in rugby, tennis, fives and rackets plus a number of regional representatives in a variety of other sports. Many sports regularly compete in Europe. Activities: Pupils take Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Up to 30 clubs, including art appreciation, bridge, chess, debating, Christian Union, classical, drama, English, cookery, electronics, European, geography, film-making, history, politics, natural history, BAYS.
Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy - appointed by High Master (after recommendations from staff and pupils). Religion: Church of England. Voluntary worship. Social: Central atrium for social gathering. Debates, concerts, joint theatrical productions and ski trips with St Paul's Girls' School. Lectures by eg Sir David Attenborough, Lord Falconer. Organised trips abroad. Meals self-service. School shop (uniform and tuck). No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning, those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect expulsion.
Most have own study bedroom. House accommodation up to 45. Resident matron. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Exeats every weekend. Visits to local town allowed 4.00-5.30 pm.
The Old Pauline Club, c/o the school.
Lord (Kenneth) Baker (Conservative politician); Clement Freud (writer and broadcaster); Admiral Treacher; Lord (Robin) Renwick (diplomat); Lord (Greville) Janner (Labour politician); Lord (Tim) Razzall (Lib Dem politician); Magnus Pyke (scientist and broadcaster); Sir Jonathan Miller (theatre director); Lord (Robert) Winston (fertility expert); W Galen Weston (businessman); Peter Shaffer (playwright); Eric Newby (travel writer); Professor Richard Gombrich (Buddhist studies); Chris Barber (musician); John Cavanagh (fashion designer); Prof Paul Cartledge (Greek culture); John Simpson (BBC foreign editor); Oliver Sacks (neurologist and writer).
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