Address: Ampleforth College, York YO62 4ER
Pupils: 626, Upper sixth 115
Fees: ÂŁ6711 (Day), ÂŁ10,088 (Boarding)
Enquiries: the Admissions Office (tel 01439 766863)
Description: Established at Ampleforth in 1802, the school adjoins the Benedictine monastery and abbey of St Laurence in a stretch of magnificent Yorkshire countryside, close to York. The monastic community descended from the monks who, in 1608, founded a monastery at Dieulouard in Lorraine. The Headmaster and some of the teaching staff are monks. The main purpose is to educate Catholics in their faith and in all branches of learning. Founded as a boys’ school, it is now co-eductional: girls were admitted into the sixth form in 2000 and at age 13 in 2004. The boarding houses are scattered over a big site and provide comfortable accommodation. Much has been spent on improving facilities in recent years. A sound education is given and examination results are very good. An unusually strong music staff; musical activities play a major role in the life of the school. Games and outdoor pursuits are very popular and standards are high. As a Catholic school, discipline is firm but is exercised in the context of a strongly supportive community. The partner prep school, St Martin’s Ampleforth, is at Gilling Castle two miles from the college.
School Head: Headmaster: The Reverend Gabriel Everitt, OSB, in post from 2004. Educated at Dundee High School and at the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. Previously Housemaster and Head of Christian TheologyŠ—_ξat Ampleforth.
Results: GCSE: On average 110 in Year 11; 99% gain at least grade C in 5 subjects. A-levels: 115 in upper sixth. 10% pass in 4 subjects; 79% in 3 subjects (average 3.1 subjects).
Furtherhigher: 95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (45% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 20% in other subjects. Others typically go on to other courses or into employment.
Arts: Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including orchestra, Schola Cantorum, singers, string, brass, wind ensembles. Organ and choral scholars to Oxbridge, and conservatoires. Drama: Theatre studies offered as exam subject. Many pupils are involved in school productions. 3 former pupils to National Youth Theatre, 1 to Bristol Old Vic School, 1 to Central School. Art and design: On average, 30% take GCSE, 12% A-level. Design, sculpture, photography, CDT also offered.
Sport: Sport: Compulsory, but choice from rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, squash, swimming, tennis, badminton, golf, basketball, fencing, athletics, soccer, cross-country, rounders, lacrosse, horse-riding. BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. Rugby county representatives and England and Irish internationals. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF and community service optional. D of E community care programme; strong Cheshire Homes and hospital links. Red Cross, First-Aid exams may be taken. 35+ clubs, eg natural history, karate, bridge, public speaking, chess, Red Cross, photography, golf.
Boarding: All sixth form have own study bedroom; Years 10-11 share (2 to a room); Year 9 in small dormitories of 4-6. 10 houses of 65-70, all single-sex. Local doctor and resident nursing staff. Sixth form can provide and cook some own food. 1 weekend exeat in the autumn term and half-term in the autumn and Lent term. Visits to local towns allowed.
Alumni: is run by The Secretary, The Ampleforth Society, c/o the school
Formerpupils: Lawrence Dallaglio (rugby player), William Dalrymple (historian and writer), John Micklethwait (Editor-in-chief, The Economist), Edward Stourton (journalist), Michael Ancram (Conservative politician), Cardinal Basil Hume (Archbishop of Westminster).
