Founded in 1811 in Lewisham, the school moved to Caterham in 1884. It stands in 80 acres of delightful grounds in a wooded valley of the North Downs, south of London. In 1995 the school became fully co-educational, after taking girls in the sixth form for 15 years. The prep school has its own buildings and staff. The senior school has very pleasant modern buildings and excellent facilities with more planned. It is a family school with Christian values. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. The school also aims to develop the whole person, to equip pupils with necessary information skills and to think independently, so they leave ready for life at university and beyond. The drama, music and creative arts departments are strong. 18 sports are offered over the year and standards are high in the major games - rugby, netball, lacrosse, cricket and hockey (many county representatives). Both the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and the CCF are thriving and there are around 35 clubs and societies for co-curricular activities. Pastoral care is a key feature.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 1109 pupils, 942 day (546 boys, 396 girls), 167 boarding (102 boys, 65 girls). Prep school 3-10; 284 pupils (173 boys, 111 girls). Senior school 11-18; 825 pupils (475 boys, 350 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own exam used, interview and report from current school (Common Entrance for setting at age 13); for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at grade A. No special skills or religious requirements; school has URC affiliation but pupils of many faiths within school. 30% of intake from state schools (plus 10% to sixth form).
About a third of pupils receive either scholarships or bursaries. Scholarships and exhibitions awarded at 11, 13 and 16 (academic, art, music, sports), also all-rounder at 13, science at 16 and boarding/international; most represent 25% of fees, some up to 50%. Means-tested bursaries available to offset day fees (and may be awarded in addition to a scholarship) and for pupils whose families suffer unexpected financial hardship. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Wide mix of professions. 85% live within 30 miles.
Headmaster: Julian Thomas, in post since 2007. Educated at King's College London (computer science) and Cambridge University (PGCE); also MBA. Previously Second Master at Hampton and Director of Studies at Portsmouth Grammar School; worked at Lloyds Bank and BP before going into teaching. Also qualified rugby, cricket, hockey and netball coach. Teaching staff: 91 full time (senior school). Annual turnover approx 7%.
GCSE: 108 pupils in fifth: 100% gained at least grade C in 7+ subjects (including English and maths). A-levels: 127 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 394.
All sixth-form leavers normally go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine or biomedical sciences, 18% in science and engineering, 14% in business, 9% economics, 49% in other subjects eg law, social sciences and humanities.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level (general studies not taken); sixth formers take a wide range of subjects, across science/humanities divide. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist dyslexic teacher available if required for small number. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek offered to GCSE and A-level. Additional sixth form language courses. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 620 computers for pupil use throughout the day, all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups from violin to voice to electric guitar. Musical concerts every term. Drama: Drama offered. Many pupils are involved in directing, producing and acting in school productions and house/other productions. Major drama production annually (eg Les Miserables). Art and design: Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket major sports for boys; netball, lacrosse, tennis for girls. Also available are swimming, athletics, squash, badminton, equestrian, tae kwon do etc. Many pupils in county cricket, lacrosse, netball, hockey and rugby teams. GCSE and A-level PE offered. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional (pupils regularly win armed forces scholarships). Some 36 clubs, from chess to ceramics, debating to dance.
Uniform: School uniform worn; business suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, heads of house. Head of school elected by year group, ratified by Headmaster. Religion: United Reformed Church school though open to all faiths or none. Social: Regular debates, music events with other local schools. Exchange with overseas schools. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car to school with permission. Meals self-service (compulsory). No alcohol allowed.
Based on the principle of mutual respect. Standards of behaviour are high. Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to re-do with extra work. Any pupil involved in illegal drugs can expect to be expelled.
Upper sixth have single ensuite rooms; lower sixth share; younger pupils share with 3-4 others. All boarders in 2 single-sex houses. Qualified nurses on site, GP visits twice a week. All boarding staff take specialist training. All weekends are flexi-weekends; other days out at weekends, depending on seniority. Visits to local village permitted on request.
Run by Ms Alina Rennie, c/o the school.
Geraint Jones (organist, conductor); Angus Deayton (television presenter); Sir Alan Moncrieff (first Nuffield Professor of Child Health); Sir Arthur James (Court of Appeal).
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