Address: ArnoldKEQMS, Clifton Drive South, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 1DT
Pupils: 1450, Upper sixth 50
Enquiries: the Admission Secretary
Description: Founded in 2012, from the merger of two local schools: Arnold School, founded as a boys’ school in 1896 but which had accepted girls from 1977; and King Edward & Queen Mary, itself a merger in 1999 of two single-sex schools, King Edward VII for boys founded in 1908 and Queen Mary for girls founded in1930. The newly merged school is now all based on the refurbished and extended site at Lytham. This is a striking 34-acre site, close to sandhills in an open and bracing position, with extensive views over the Irish Sea. The aims of the school are to provide an environment in which pupils can make the best use of their abilities and to encourage them to develop an awareness of their individual strengths. It has a reputation for providing a good, all-round academic training and examination results are very good. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities, with sport, drama and music central to school life. There is an outdoor pursuits centre at Glenridding in the Lake District. Both the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme are well-supported.
School Head: Headmaster: Mike Walton, in post since 2014. Educated at Lancaster University (applied chemistry). Previously Headmasater of Regents International School, Thailand, and of Orchard School, Kent, and taught geography in both state and independent schools. Also Chairman of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia and of the Accrediation Committee for the International Schools Association of Thailand, and Trustee of the Round Square. Teaching staff: 63 full time, 10 part time.
Results: GCSE: On average, 180 pupils in Year 11, 98% gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects. A-levels: 50 in upper sixth, 46% passing in 4+ subjects, 51% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 393.
Furtherhigher: 97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (12% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 18% in science and engineering, 15% in economics and business, 25% in other humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 6% in vocational subjects such as physiotherapy.
Arts: Music: 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken (pupils in Year 7 are especially encouraged to take up an instrument). Many musical groups including choir, orchestra, swing band, wind group, brass ensemble, choral society, soul band, rock band. Drama and dance: Both offered and A-level and GCSE drama may be taken. Many pupils involved in school plays and musicals, eg The Crucible, Cabaret, Sound of Music. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, sculpture and photography also offered.
Sport: Some 16+ sports available including rugby, netball, athletics, squash, aerobics. International representatives at rugby, hockey, netball, athletics, soccer, fencing, biathlon. Also bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; CCF (compulsory for 3 terms); community service; field study/outdoor pursuits centre in Yorkshire Dales; strong on diving, canoeing, skiing etc. Young Enterprise Scheme for sixth form. Up to 30 clubs, including IT, drama, golf, debating, science, French.
Alumni: is run by the Foundation Secretary, c/o the school.
Formerpupils: David Ball (Soft Cell); Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys); Jenna-Louise Coleman (actress); Jonas Armstrong (actor); Jimmy Armfield, George Eastham, Stanley Matthews (footballers); Sir Walter Clegg MP; Peter Boydell QC; Tom Graveney (cricketer); Sir William Lyons (Jaguar Cars); Dr Michael Smith (Nobel prize-winning chemist); Keith Oates (Marks & Spencer); Peter Purves (TV presenter); Barrie-Jon Mather (rugby); John Sunderland (Chief Executive, Cadbury Schweppes); Richard Frediani (ITN news editor); David Hawtin (Bishop of Repton); Jenny Eclair (comedienne); Elaine Kellett-Bowman MEP.
