Formed in 1978 from the merger of two schools, Claremont (founded in 1922 for the daughters of Christian Scientists) and Fan Court (founded 11 years later for their sons). 16 miles from London, its Palladian house lies in fine landscaped gardens, laid out first by Sir John Vanbrugh and later by Capability Brown. Modern facilities include five ICT suites, a fine sports centre and performing arts centre. The separate junior school is on the same site. Pupils of all denominations are accepted (2% are Christian Scientists) but are expected to understand and support the ethose of the school. Class sizes are small, generally of 12-20 pupils, and results in public examinations are good. High personal expectations and moral values are established and developed within small classes in a happy, positive environment. A range of sporting opportunities, community service and extra curricular activities.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 685 pupils, (385 boys, 300 girls). Junior school 3-11, 265 pupils (135 boys, 130 girls). Senior school 11-18; 420 pupils (250 boys, 170 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam (some take Common Entrance); for sixth form entry, 7+ GCSEs at least grade C including English and maths (grade B in sixth-form subjects). Good all-rounders looked for; no special skills or religious requirements. 25% of intakes at 11 and 16 from state schools; 45% of senior school from own junior.
Various scholarships (including academic, art, music, drama, sport) and bursaries. Parents not expected to buy text books.
Head of Senior School: Mr Jonathan Insall-Reid, in post from 2005. Head of Junior School: Mr David Ford. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 40 part time. Annual turnover 6%.
GCSE: 73 pupils in Year 11: 96% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 22 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3 subjects with an average final point score of 275.
98% sixth form leavers go on to degree courses (22% after a gap year). 23% take courses in science and engineering, 54% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 13% in other subjects eg music technology.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level (including music technology, media studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level, with a good spread of arts and sciences; all follow critical thinking. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French (from Year 2) and Spanish and German (from Year 8), to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges offered to France, Spain and Germany, work experience in Germany. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. All pupils (from Year 4) have a laptop computer as part of their school equipment, with access to the internet and email.
Music: Over 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Orchestra and choirs. Annual rock and pop festival, music workshop and concerts. Drama and dance: Both offered; GCSE, AS and A-level drama, LAMDA and RAD qualifications may be taken. Major productions annually. Art: Average of 16 take GCSE, 12 AS and A-level. Design, pottery, textiles and photography also offered.
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, gymnastics, rugby, soccer, athletics, cricket, rounders, swimming, tennis are compulsory. Optional: badminton, volleyball, basketball, hockey, trampolining, fencing. Successful rugby, soccer, netball, lacrosse, athletics teams at local and district level. Activities: Pupils are encouraged to take Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Community service. Over 30 clubs and societies, including judo, chess, science, drama.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by senior members of staff. School Council. Religion: Christian Science foundation – all religions welcome. Attendance at assembly compulsory. Social: Organised trips abroad include sports tours (Europe, US), language exchanges, ski trip, offshore sailing. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service.
Discipline policy clear to parents and pupils; any pupil involved in drug use on the premises could expect immediate suspension.
Michaela Strachan (TV presenter), Kate Staples (former Gladiator).
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