Founded in 1823 by the York Quakers, it has an attractive site of 10 acres just outside York's medieval walls and a few minutes' walk from the city centre. Playing fields adjoin it. A number of Georgian houses constitute the core; there are numerous modern extensions and facilities, including a sports hall, theatre and library. The junior school is on a separate site close by. Full use is made of the city's amenities (several excellent museums, two theatres and art gallery). Quaker beliefs underlie the daily life of pupils and staff but the vast majority of pupils are from other faiths or none. Originally a boys' school, it has accepted girls from the late '80s and is now fully co-educational. It provides a sound education and examination results are very good. Strong in music, art and drama. A good range of sports are played to high standards (county and national representatives). There is a wide range of clubs and activities. Most seniors take part in a variety of local community schemes and there is vigorous local support. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is well supported.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 610 pupils, 495 day (285 boys, 210 girls), 115 boarders (75 boys, 40 girls). Junior school 3-11, 130 pupils (70 boys, 60 girls). Senior school 11-18, 480 pupils (290 boys, 190 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 55%-60% of intakes at 11 and 16 from state schools. Many senior pupils from own junior department; other feeder schools include Aysgarth, Bramcote, The Minster School, St Olave's, Terrington Hall, Tregelles.
Scholarships awarded at age 11 and 13 (approximately 11-17 pa); music scholarships value up to 50% of fees; no fee discount for academic scholarships but means-tested bursaries may be awarded. Some bursaries for Quaker families. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extra for music tuition etc.
40% live within 30 miles, up to 10% live overseas.
Headmaster: Jonathan Taylor, in post from 2004. Educated at King's College School, Wimbledon, and at universities of Oxford (English) and Sussex (MEd). Previously Deputy Head at Bedales, Head of Sixth Form at Ousedale School, Milton Keynes, and Head of English and Senior Tutor at Collyer's Sixth Form College, Horsham. Head of Junior School: Dr Sue Pattison. Previously head of four schools in North Yorkshire. Teaching staff: 35 full time, 20 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 59 pupils in upper fifth; 95% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (78% of pupils included English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 445.
Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (9% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 34% take courses in science, medicine and engineering, 39% in humanities and social sciences, 9% in music, art and design, 18% in vocational subjects eg architecture, business studies and education. A few typically go on to eg art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-level. 25 AS and 20 A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level (range 3-6); in addition, all take A-level general studies; Extended Project offered as a stand-alone qualification. 40% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 25% both. Vocational: Work experience expected in Year 11. Special provision: Dyslexic teaching in school or at local branch of Dyslexia Institute; EFL tuition. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also AS-level Spanish in sixth form. Regular exchanges to Germany, Spain and France. European Society; German resident graduates on 1 year exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum.
Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10+ musical groups including orchestras, choirs, choral society, string, brass ensembles, wind band, rock groups. Pupils have toured with York Schools Symphony Orchestra, played in Guildhall Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra etc. Recent winner of young composer of the year and finalists in BBC Songs of Praise school choir competition. Drama: Drama offered; LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and some in house/other productions. Pupils in National Youth Theatre and York Mystery Plays; recent school productions include The Boy Friend, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Oh! What a Lovely War. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 15 AS-level, 10 A-level. Pottery, photography also offered. Several go on to art foundation courses.
Sport: Soccer, cricket, basketball, athletics, swimming, hockey compulsory for boys; hockey, netball, athletics, swimming, rounders for girls. Optional: tennis, squash, badminton, riding, orienteering, fencing, softball, water polo etc. National representataives in riding; county representatives at swimming, fencing, athletics, netball, hockey, riding. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service compulsory in sixth form. Up to 30 clubs, eg natural history, debating, geographical, drama, electronics, computing, bridge, chess, candle-making, cookery, art, music etc. Up to 80 different activities offered each week.
Uniform: School uniform worn until the fifth form; dress guidelines thereafter. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for sport, music and speech-making. Prefects (Reeves), head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - elected by the school. Religion: Quakerism (The Religious Society of Friends). Social: Organised exchanges with schools in Germany and France; skiing trips and language trips abroad (including Russia). Meals usually self-service, few special meals formal. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect columns' (writing out words from a dictionary) or gating (staying within the school campus) for more serious misdemeanours; those caught with cannabis on the premises must expect expulsion.
40% of sixth formers have own study bedroom, 60% share; very few pupils are in bedrooms of more than 5. Houses divided by age, in Georgian town-house mansions. 24-hour medical cover by school nurse/doctor. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Two weekend exeats per term and others by arrangement. Visits to York allowed as required.
is run by the secretary, BOSA, c/o the School.
Joseph Rowntree (philanthropist); A J P Taylor (historian); Philip Noel-Baker (Nobel Peace Prize); Nicolas Kent (BAFTA winner); Brian Rix (actor); Stuart Rose (retail).
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