Founded in 1596 by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1931 it moved to its present site in Haling Park, occupying 45 acres of wooded parkland which provides exceptionally beautiful surroundings for an urban day school. The buildings are well designed and equipped; a new sports centre recently opened. One of its fundamental aims is to balance an excellent academic record with a wide range of co-curricular activities. A friendly and happy school, it has an ecumenical approach to religious worship. It is academically strong, achieving excellent examination results; a high proportion of sixth formers go on to Oxbridge. The International Baccalaureate is now offered as an alternative to AS and A-levels, and three BTEC National Diplomas. It offers an unusually large range of languages, supported by many visits and exchanges. Very strong in music, drama and art. High standards, too, in sports and games of which there is a wide variety, and many representatives at regional and national level. A flourishing CCF and outdoor pursuits scheme. A plentiful range of extra-curricular activities, a substantial commitment to local community services and a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 10-18; 1241 day boys. Upper school 14-18, 623 boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exams used; sixth form entry by individual assessment. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% at ages 10 and 11. Boys from 40 different feeder schools over a wide catchment area.
40 pa scholarships, value 5%-50% fees: including academic, all-rounder, music, art, DT and sport. Variable number of means-tested bursaries for those on low incomes. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmaster: Dr Christopher Barnett, appointed in 1991. Educated at Cedars School, Leighton Buzzard, and Oxford University (modern history). Previously Deputy Head at Dauntsey's, Head of History at Bradfield and Lecturer in Economics Department, Brunel University.
GCSE: 186 pupils in upper fifth, majority gaining at least grade C in 10+ subjects. A-levels/IB: 120 in upper sixth: 101 taking A-levels, passing an average of 3.7 subjects with a final point score of 428; 19 taking IB, gaining an average IB score of 37.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to university or art college (17% after a gap year), 14% to Oxbridge. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 32% in science and engineering, 53% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in art and music, 2% in vocational subjects eg surveying.
GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB, BTEC National Diplomas (business studies, sport and exercise science, music technology). 25 GCSE subjects, 22 at AS and A-level (including business studies, Japanese and Greek). Sixth form: Sixth formers either choose AS and A-level courses or IB. Most take 4 subjects at both AS and A-level; breadth is encouraged; general studies taught but not examined. Vocational: Work experience for all fifth formers. BTEC National Diplomas offered. Special provision: Individual difficulties (eg dyslexic, ADHD, dyspraxic pupils) handled as appropriate by learning support department. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese offered to GCSE, AS and A-level and IB. Bilingual schemes leading to French, German or Spanish qualifications. Regular exchanges and study visits to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Japan. Senior pupils can spend up to 6 weeks in continental link schools. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. Some 25% take GCSE in ICT. 350 computers for pupil use (access 9 hours a day), majority networked and with email and (filtered) internet access. 17 rooms with ICT.
Music: 500+ pupils learn a musical instrument (instrumental scheme for all new entrants to lower school); instrumental exams regularly taken. Some 22 musical groups including 3 symphony orchestras, 3 choirs, 2 windbands, chamber orchestra and chamber ensembles. Drama and dance: GCSE and A-level drama offered. Many pupils are involved in school and other productions. Regular drama tours abroad. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 15 A-level.
Sport: Athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, climbing, cricket, cross-country, fencing, fives, golf, hockey, horse-riding, judo, rowing, rugby, scuba diving, shooting, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, water polo etc. Numerous sporting achievements; many boys have won national titles and represented England and Great Britain at rugby, cricket, hockey, football, fencing, shooting, table tennis, tennis, water polo, judo, swimming etc. Activities: CCF. Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional: many community projects such as special needs play scheme, fund-raising. Up to 30 clubs, including chess, classics, cycling, debating, drama, history, science, philosophy and theology, model railway.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, school captain, house captain and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster or housemasters. Religion: Non-denominational. Compulsory assemblies for lower and upper schools; and year-group assemblies. Social: Joint functions with local girls' schools; sailing and climbing journeys; strong on outdoor activities. School exchanges (France, Germany, Czech Republic, China, Russia, United States, Japan, Spain, Italy) and other foreign links (strong East European links); skiing trips. Sixth form pupils allowed to drive to school, subject to conditions; others may cycle; school bus service. Meals self-service.
Lord (Reg) Prentice (politician); Martin Jarvis (actor); Raman Subba Row (cricketer); Ian Beer (former Headmaster of Harrow); Prof Sir Robert Boyd (space scientist); Gp Capt John Cunningham (WW2 fighter pilot); Sir Michael Mann (filmmaker); Lord (Bill) Wedderburn (lawyer and politician); Guy Woolfenden (composer); Derren Brown (psychological illusionist); Danny Cipriani (rugby player).
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