City of London School

School:
City of London School
School Type:
Address:
City of London School, Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 3AL
Postcode:
EC4V 3AL
Region:
London – Inner (London postal codes)
Telephone:
020 7329 5106
Gender:
Boys
Pupils:
920, Upper sixth 130
Fees:
£4,962
Enquiries:
The Admissions Department
Description:

The original foundation dates from 1442. The first school building opened in 1837 and the school moved to its current, purpose-built site in 1986. This is a superb riverside setting near St Paul’s Cathedral, linked to the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern by the Millennium Bridge. The new buildings are outstandingly well equipped and comfortable in every respect, most recently a state-of-the-art theatre has been added. It has extensive playing fields at Grove Park. It aims to maintain its long tradition of providing a liberal education to a wide economic, social and ethnic cross-section of the community. The school is strictly non-denominational. A very high standard of academic excellence is aimed at and achieved; examination results are excellent. Almost all leavers go on to degree courses, large numbers to Oxbridge (also to medical schools: the study of medicine is a vigorous tradition). There is also a strong tradition of musical excellence (the choristers of the Temple Church and the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, are all pupils). Drama and art also flourish. Sport and games are compulsory and standards are high. There is a substantial commitment to local community schemes. There are a number of outreach initiatives to share good practice with schools in local boroughs. The school enjoys close links with the City of London Corporation and city life in general.

School Head:
Head: Sarah Fletcher, in post from 2014. Educated at King Alfred’s, Wantage, and universities of Oxford (history) and Exeter (PGCE). Previously Head at Kingston Grammar School, Deputy Head at Rugby, Head of History at Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby, at Haberdashers’ Aske’s (Girls) and at St George’s School, Switzerland. Also governor of Lawrence Sheriff School, member of Cambridge Pre-U Steering Committee. Publications: various articles, including one on Lawrence Sheriff for New Dictionary of National Biography. Teaching staff: 90 full time, 10 part time.
Results:
GCSE: 140 pupils in fifth form, 99% gaining grade C or above in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 129 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 446.
Furtherhigher:
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (22% after a gap year), 20% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine and dentistry, 18% in science, computing and engineering, 3% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 29% in other subjects eg accountancy, architecture.
Arts:
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, string ensembles, choirs. Drama: Drama offered to GCSE and A-level. Many pupils involved in regular school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Pottery, printmaking, sculpture also offered.
Sport:
Soccer, cricket, basketball, water polo, swimming compulsory. 10 further options including karate, badminton, cross-country, kyaking. RYA sailing exams may be taken. National representatives in fencing and water polo; regional representatives in soccer, basketball, water polo and cricket. Bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; CCF; community service; major fund-raising effort for charity. Over 30 clubs, including bridge, chess, Christian, Dr Who, Jewish, law, economics, politics, railways, science, Mandarin, craft and design, cheese appreciation, electronics, debating and public speaking, Model United Nations.
Alumni:
The John Carpenter Club, contacted via the Alumni Relations Officer at the school or http://www.jcc.org.uk.
Formerpupils:
H H Asquith (former prime minister); Kingsley Amis, Julian Barnes (writers); Denis Norden (TV personality); Mike Brearley (cricketer); Anthony Julius (lawyer); Lord (Anthony) Lester QC (human rights lawyer and Lib Dem politician); Lord (Peter) Levene (Chairman of Lloyds of London).