Founded by Henry VIII in 1541, it has a magnificent site on the River Usk just to the north of the Brecon Beacons and a couple of minutes' walk from the pleasant market town of Brecon. The college chapel is part of the original Dominican friary, as are the two dining halls. The school enjoys handsome and well-equipped modern buildings in beautiful grounds; all lie within a designated national park. During the last ten years, there have been major developments and extensions - most recently a state-of-the-art science centre, also a floodlit astroturf pitch, a fitness suite, improved facilities for IT, art, pottery and photography, and refurbishment of boarding houses. Fully co-educational; girls were accepted throughout the school in 1995 after many years in the sixth form. Pupils of all faiths are accepted: the Anglican liturgy is used in services. Importance is attached to spiritual education. A small school with a large staff, (a very favourable staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8) and examination results are good. Performing arts are strong. Societies and clubs cater for an extremely wide range of needs. Sports and games are very well organised and the college has a distinguished record in many, particularly rugby, cricket, netball and cross-country. There is a vigorous CCF contingent and much emphasis is put on outdoor pursuits, leadership and self-reliance. It has an impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 320 pupils, 105 day (55 boys, 50 girls), 215 boarding (125 boys, 90 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam used and interview with the Head; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B preferred in sixth-form subjects). No religious requirements, but school is Anglican. Most new pupils at 11 from state schools, few at 13. Feeder schools include Cradoc CP School at age 11; Moor Park (Ludlow) and St John's-on-the-Hill (Chepstow) at 13.
38 pa scholarships, awarded at 11, 13 or 16 (value 10%-50% fees): 27+ academic, others for sport, art, music, rugby, science, medicine/pharmacology, all-rounder; also Penn sponsored award for a sixth former studying sciences. Variable number of bursaries, including for children of forces (age 13 upwards) and of clergy. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; policy of no compulsory extras.
Up to 15% live within 30 miles; up to 18% live overseas.
Head: Mrs Emma Taylor, appointed 2007. Educated at Lewestons and Canford, and at Oxford University (PPE). Previously Senior Mistress and Admissions Tutor at Dean Close, Housemistress at Canford and taught philosophy, religious studies and economics at Stowe. Teaching staff: 35 full time, 3 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 45.
GCSE: 50 pupils in year 11, 88% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (average in 9.2 subjects). A-levels: 48 in upper sixth, 2% passing in 4+ subjects, 88% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 349.
96% of sixth form leavers go on to university (37% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 2% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 61% in humanities and social sciences, 12% in art and design. Others typically go on to careers eg retailing, HM Forces, or to art college.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, general studies AS and A-level optional. 20% take science A-levels; 15% arts/humanities; 65% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses. Special provision: EAL available (3 periods/week without charge in first year of entry); specialist tutor for mild dyslexia. Languages: French and Spanish at GCSE, AS and A-level, Welsh at GCSE. Frequent exchanges (France, Spain). Number of European pupils in school. ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (to age 14), pupils age 14-16 take diploma in digital applications. 46 computers for pupil use (4+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils have their own PC/laptop.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument, and exams are taken. Some 10 musical groups including strings, choirs, orchestra, brass groups, wind group and jazz band. 1 recent vocal scholarship to RCM. Drama and dance: Both offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions. Recent productions of Grease, Sweet Charity, Fiddler on the Roof and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Art and design: On average, 22 take GCSE, 7 AS-level, 8 A-level. Design, pottery, photography, silkscreen, sculpture, printmaking also offered.
Sport: Basketball, cricket, netball, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, athletics, rugby, hockey, soccer, squash, badminton compulsory to age 14. Optional: swimming, canoeing, aerobics, sailing, climbing, golf, fencing, triathlon, horse-riding. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. Several Welsh schoolboy caps in rugby and cricket. Over 20 internationals in 10 different sports in last 3 years. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 13, community service for 1 year at 16 (and optional otherwise). Over 20 clubs, including stage management, chess, debating, speech and drama, ballet, railway modelling, project science, IT projects, art and shooting.
Uniform: School uniform worn; some variations allowed in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Head. Religion: Anglican school. Compulsory attendance at religious worship. Social: Organised expeditions (UK and abroad); cultural exchanges and trips; sporting and music tours. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school for organised activities.
System of blue and gold notes to record misdemeanours and achievements; school detention for persistent offenders and various rewards and prizes for achievements.
20+% have own study bedroom, 20+% share (with 1 other); 45+% in dormitories of 4+. Co-educational junior house (11-13 years), others single-sex: 3 boys' boarding houses (approx 60), same as for competitive purposes; 2 girls' houses. Resident medical staff. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook snacks. Some flexi-boarding and weekly boarding (many day pupils change to boarding). Limited visits to local town allowed (number increasing with age).
is run by Huw Richards, OBA Liaison, at the school
P R Watkins (film producer); Gp Capt R M Thomas (Red Arrows); Roscoe Howells (author); Judge Robin David; Simon Hughes and Roger Williams (MPs); Robert Ackerman and Andrew Lewis (former Welsh rugby internationals); Mark Evans (CEO Harlequins); Jamie Owen (BBC presenter); Sir Barrie Stephens (Siebe plc); David Mercer and Oliver Hides (BBC sports commentators); Paul Brown (opera designer); Sarah Jane Davies (opera singer); the Rt Rev David Thomas (Provincial Assistant Bishop, Church in Wales); Mark Evans QC; Air Vice-Marshal Peter Harris; Jonathan Smith (author and playwright); Tori James (youngest British female to climb Mount Everest).
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