Founded in 1981 as a co-educational sixth form college and now an educational charity, it has three main teaching sites in the city centre. Comfortable school houses, with individual study bedrooms, communal facilities and supervision by resident staff, are located within easy reach of the teaching buildings. All A-level students receive individual tuition alongside classroom teaching in small groups (average class size of 6 pupils). All lower-sixth pupils complete an enrichment programme which includes thinking and planning skills, additional careers education, ICT and a range of activities designed to support learning. Exam results are very creditable. It is non-selective academically and pupils come from a range of backgrounds and abilities, but all benefit from the individual approach and supportive environment. There is a range of optional games and sports. Regular trips abroad are organised in relation to subjects studied.
Pupils: Age range 15-19; 200 pupils, 80 day (46 boys, 34 girls), 120 boarding (64 boys, 56 girls). Entrance: Main entry at 16. No entrance exam; for sixth form entry, an academic reference and 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 15%; pupils come from some 70 schools.
Various scholarships and bursaries available, value up to 60% tuition fees (number varies from year to year). Parents not expected to buy textbooks; average £325-£575 pa extras.
40% British; up to 30% live within 30 miles of the school; 60% overseas.
Principal: Stuart Nicholson, in post from 2009. Educated at universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. Previously headmaster, housemaster and teacher over 18 years at schools in Devon, Edinburgh, and Suffolk. Also holds National Professional Qualification for Headship; ISI inspector. Teaching staff: 24 full time, 26 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 43.
GCSE: 18 pupils in upper fifth: 39% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 22% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 92 in upper sixth: 83% passed in 3+ subjects; 14% in 2; and 3% in 1 subject. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 291.
91% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 3% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 34% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 53% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design. Others typically go straight in to work or to art foundation courses.
GCSE, AS and A-levels offered. 36 AS-level subjects (including photography, graphics, fashion, media studies, psychology, law and film studies), 32 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not taken but AS-level critical thinking taken by all. 25% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 25% both. Key skills taught through AS and A-level subjects (except IT, taught separately) but not examined. Languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian and Arabic offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 40 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: GCSE and A-level courses offered. Drama: GCSE and A-level theatre studies offered. Some pupils take part in school productions. Art and design: On average, GCSE and A-level courses offered. Fashion and photography also offered. 3-4 go to art schools each year.
Sport: Some compulsory sports for Year 11; squash, badminton, hockey, tennis, volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, shooting, rowing, cricket, rugby, trampolining, aerobics, weight training are optional. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 5 clubs, including cinema, magazine production, debating.
Uniform: None. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. School council. Religion: No compulsory worship. Social: Regular trips related to subjects eg Italy (history of art), Europe (languages), Russia/America (politics and history), Australia (fun). Students may bring own bike. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a discussion with their subject teacher; students caught smoking cannabis on the premises should expect suspension or expulsion.
All have own study bedrooms (many ensuite, with telephone lines). Supervised houses of 7-50, divided by age group - some single-sex, some mixed. Unlimited exeats allowed at weekends, so long as students are up to date with their work. Unlimited visits to Cambridge (day/early evening).
Jade Jagger (jewellery designer and model); Daisy Sampson (TV presenter); Rory Guinness (businessman); Zac Goldsmith (environmentalist and parliamentary candidate).
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