Founded in 1992, from a merger between the existing girls' school (founded in 1884) with a boys' school, Tonstall House. It has an agreeable urban campus with pleasant grounds. The purpose-built junior school is close by. The senior school comprises four main buildings including Main School, the original building, which has been extensively modernised over the years and is now well equipped. There is a sixth-form centre in its own grounds. Pupils from all parts of the school share the sports facilities which include a sports hall and all-weather pitch. The school lays stress on the creation of a Christian atmosphere but is ecumenical in spirit and policy. Pupils of all faiths and none are welcome. The curriculum is broad and, from Year 10 is built around pupil choice. Examination results are good. There is a good range of sports and extra-curricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Young Enterprise.
Pupils: Total range 2-18; 510 day pupils (290 boys, 220 girls). Senior department 11-18; 300 pupils (170 boys 130 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exams used; for sixth-form entry, normally 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements. Typically 50% of senior intake from state schools (plus 10% to sixth form); 50% from own junior department (enquiries to the Junior School Head, Sunderland High Junior School, Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland SR2 7JA, tel 0191 514 3278, email junior.sunderland@church-schools.com).
Academic scholarships awarded at 11 and 16; also 1 music scholarship at 11. Also Church Schools Foundation assisted places, based on ability and financial need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music lessons extra.
Head: Dr Angela Slater, in post from 1998. Educated at universities of Durham (Russian and French) and Liverpool (PhD Russian Literature). Previously Head of Russian at Eton. Teaching staff: 46 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 41 pupils in Year 11: 93% obtained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels. 30 in upper sixth, passing on average 2.9 subjects.
95+% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (some after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 3% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 54% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 21% in vocational subjects. Occasionally others go on to HND courses or to employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE and sixth form subjects, including PE GCSEand Latin A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 40% take science A-levels; 25% arts/humanities, 35% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some extra tuition for pupils with special needs; some pupils with dyslexic problems. Languages: French (from age 11), German (from 4) and Latin (from 13), all offered to GCSE and A-level; also Spanish in sixth form. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject. Pupils may take ECDL in Year 9. 75 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), almost all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, instrumental groups. Drama and dance: Dance offered; drama taught from Year 7 to GCSE; speech and drama exams may be taken. Pupils involved in school, house and other productions. Art and design: School annually invited to nominate a student to exhibit in London by Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers.
Sport: Hockey, football, athletics, swimming, tennis, rugby, netball, basketball, cricket compulsory (some mixed, where appropriate). Sixth-form games include a variety of leisure activities. Several pupils playing sport at county level. Holiday sports courses. Activities: Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Fund-raising involves whole school (normally raising 4000 annually); annual party for the elderly. Wide range of clubs and activities including public speaking, art, drama, computing, music, chess, photography.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy and girl, prefects (appointed by Head); house prefects (elected by pupils). Religion: Church of England. Regular church services in local parish church and Sunderland Minster; attendance at daily assembly compulsory (non-Christians may be withdrawn; few are). Social: Organised trips abroad. Sixth form allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service.
Built around a rewards and sanctions policy, integrated into the pastoral system. Pupils failing to produce homework would receive a verbal warning; a de-merit mark on a second occasion (2 de-merits trigger a letter home).
Kate Adie (journalist and broadcaster); Jane Grigson (cookery writer); Lucinda Lambton (TV presenter and writer); Eileen O'Shaugnessy (poet).
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