School: Christ College (Brecon)
Address: Christ College, Brecon, LD3 8AG
Pupils: 380, Upper sixth 67
Fees: £2665-£5395 (Day), £6210-£8335 (Boarding)
Enquiries: Enquiries to the Admissions Registrar. Applications to the Head
Description: 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 -ξmost recently a centre for the creative arts and a new junior school. 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 very 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.
School Head: 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.
Results: GCSE: 55 pupils in Year 11, 95% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (average in 9.2 subjects). A-levels: 60 in upper sixth, passing in an average of 3.2 subjects, with an average final point score of 360.
Furtherhigher: 98% of sixth form leavers go on to university (8% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 5% 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.
Arts: 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 Fiddler on the Roof, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables. Art and design: On average, 22 take GCSE, 7 AS-level, 8 A-level. Design, pottery, photography, silkscreen, sculpture, printmaking also offered.
Sport: 20+ sports available, including tennis, athletics, canoeing, aerobics, golf, triathlon. Several Welsh internationals in rugby, hockey, cricket. Over 30 internationals in 10 different sports in last 3 years. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken. Also bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; CCF (compulsory for 2 years); community service. Over 20 clubs, including stage management, chess, debating, speech and drama, ballet, railway modelling, project science, IT projects, art and shooting.
Boarding: 25+% 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 senior boys’ boarding houses (approx 60), same as for competitive purposes; 2 senior 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).
Alumni: is run by Huw Richards, OBA Liaison, at the school
Formerpupils: 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 (former 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).
