Founded in 1841, the college occupies a fine site on the edge of the beautiful and vibrant town. It has handsome Victorian buildings set within beautiful gardens and playing fields. Recent developments include a large sports hall, Olympic-size swimming pool and floodlit all-weather pitches; a new library, performing arts centre, science buildings and an art and design centre are planned. Fully co-educational with a 60:40 boy:girl ratio, the school has taken girls into the sixth form since 1982 and at 13 from 1997. Renowned for its strong Christian community and ethos, one of its aims is to ensure that all pupils leave the college with the determination and ability to lead fulfilled and purposeful lives. Entry is inclusive, academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music thrives and plays a large part in the lives of many pupils; drama and art are also strong. There are fine facilities for sports and games; the college achieves a high standard and has many national and county representatives. There is a plentiful range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and societies, ensuring that an all-round education is provided. A very energetic community scheme serves the town. Wherever possible all college facilities are made available to the town and other schools.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 600 pupils, 120 day (50 boys, 70 girls), 480 boarding (288 boys, 192 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Pre-assessment in Year 7 offering guaranteed places but pupils still sit Common Entrance; own sixth form scholarship or entry tests used. Academic ability, motivation and all-round potential looked for. Some 30% of pupils from own prep school, Cheltenham College Junior School.
Approximately 20-30 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% of fees, awarded at 13 and 16: academic, music, art, design and technology, drama, sport and all-round potential. Bursaries and discounts for service families available.
50% live within an hour's drive; up to 15% live overseas.
Headmaster: Dr Alex Peterken, in post from 2010. Educated at Eton and Durham University (theology and education). Previously Deputy Head at the College, Housemaster and Head of Theology at Charterhouse. Also has coached cricket, football and hockey and sings semi-professionally. Teaching staff: over 100 with many more part time. Average age under 40.
GCSE: 106 pupils in fifth form: 97% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 127 in upper sixth: 20% passed in 4+ subjects, 80% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 372.
Over 95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 7% to Oxbridge. 7% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 28% in science and engineering, 7% in law, 23% in arts, humanities and social sciences, 7% in art and design, 28% in vocational subjects such as accountancy, land management. Others typically go directly to employment eg the Army or training to run own business.
GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects (IGCSE in maths, science, English, history, geography), 26 AS-level, 25 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. AS/A-level general studies, AS-level critical thinking and AS-level philosophy offered as additional options. 20% take science A-levels; 42% arts/humanities; 38% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: All specific learning difficulties catered for, including dyspraxia and dyslexia, plus provision for gifted children. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered at GCSE and A-level; all take one or these from Year 9 to GCSE. Regular trips and exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught as a discrete subject in first 3 years; increasingly integrated throughout the curriculum, eg research on internet, word-processing, spreadsheets and graphics in coursework. 125+ computers for class and boarding house use; all pupils are required to bring an AppleMac laptop for use in classes and for homework.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn an instrument; instrumental/vocal exams may be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, chamber orchestra, big band, wind band, jazz groups at all levels, and string quartets, chapel choir, chamber choir, close harmony groups (singing is strong). Chapel choir recently sang in St. Mark's Venice, Westminster Abbey, etc; chamber choir to sing in St John the Divine, New York. Drama: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies offered. Majority of pupils being involved in up to 12 productions a year. Art and design: On average, 50 take art GCSE, 18 A-level; 50 take design technology GCSE, 20 A-level. Regular art and design exhibitions of pupils' work. 7-8 pa go on to foundation courses.
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis (girls) and netball are main sports. Optional sports are swimming, athletics, rackets, squash, tennis (boys), rowing, shooting, cross-country, basketball, badminton, golf, polo, skiing and water polo. Numerous county and international representatives at rugby, hockey, cross-country, athletics, squash, racquets, skiing, tennis. Activities: Structured programme of outdoor pursuits, team building exercises and leadership initiatives for first year; CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 14, optional thereafter; Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme at bronze and gold level (wide range of expeditions, including annual trip to Nepal). Up to 30 clubs operate weekly, including shooting, dance, pottery, film making and drama.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Strong house system is at the heart of the school. Prefects, senior prefect appointed by Headmaster; head of house and house prefects by housemasters or housemistresses. Religion: Church of England school. Compulsory daily chapel. Social: Links with Cheltenham Ladies' College. Pupils allowed to bring own bicycle to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Limited beer and wine for sixth form only in school's licensed social club.
The college operates a drugs policy to which parents must give their consent. Any boy or girl suspected of taking drugs will be tested: if the test proves positive then there will be a programme of teaching and counselling but the pupil will be subject to a further test at any time. A second positive test will lead to expulsion. There is a no-nonsense approach to bullying, drugs, smoking and alcohol.
Fifth and sixth formers have own study bedroom; juniors in small dormitories. Single-sex houses of approximately 65. Resident matron and tutor in each house. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook snacks in houses. 2 exeats in autumn term. Visits to town allowed by arrangement with housemaster or housemistress.
Nigel Davenport, Jack Davenport (actors); Lindsay Anderson (actress); Patrick White (writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, 1973); Major General Sir Jeremy Moore; General Sir Michael Rose; Lord Richard; Emlyn Rees (writer); Kirsty Boutflower (race horse trainer); Rageh Omar (BBC correspondant), Sir Alan Haselhurst MP; Tim Bevan (film producer), Jim Beach (arts manager, including of Queen).
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