Founded at the turn of the century, it moved in 1915 to its present agreeable site in a Victorian residential suburb near Sheffield University and 1.5 miles from the city centre. The Peak District National Park is 5 miles away. The prep school is on a separate campus nearby. A sixth form was established in 1988 and girls were first admitted to it in 1995. There is an on-going programme to develop academic and sporting facilities. It is a Christian school with an emphasis on developing the whole person and all pupils are expected to attend morning prayers. Examination results are good. All members of the school play games weekly and outdoor pursuits play an important part in the overall leadership training programme. There are regular training sessions in each age group, leading to a major expedition; a fourth form camp is held annually in Snowdonia. Virtually all third form take the Bronze Award of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and an increasing number progress to Silver and Gold.

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 800 day pupils (750 boys, 50 girls). Senior department 11-18, 530 pupils (480 boys, 50 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 11 and 16. Own exam and interview; for sixth-form entry, interview and good GCSEs. No special skills or religious requirements. 66% senior intake from own prep (Birkdale Preparatory School).

Approx 12 scholarships, up to 25% of fees: academic and music (at 11 and 16); design technology and Ogden science scholarship (at 16). Bursaries and discounts may be available up to 100% of fees, including clergy discounts. Parents not expected to buy textbooks except GCSE English literature and all AS/A-level text books.

Head Master: Robert Court, in post from 1998. Educated at St Paul's and Cambridge University (natural sciences, physics). Previously Second Master at Westminster. Teaching staff: 52 full time, 17 part time. Annual turnover 4%.

GCSE: 73 pupils in fifth; 92% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects and 5% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 59 (58 over 5 years). A-levels: 90 in upper sixth; 88% passed in 4+ subjects, 10% in 3 and 2% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 429.

Approx 95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), up to 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 15% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 10% in vocational subjects.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 subjects offered to AS/A-level (including theatre studies and PE). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take general studies AS and A-level. 20% take science A-levels; 42% arts/humanities; 38% both. Vocational: Work experience (1 week) for all lower sixth. Special provision: Specialist teachers for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. Lectures from MEPs; French, German and Spanish assistants; satellite TV. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100+ networked computers solely for pupil use (9 hours a day), many with Email and internet access. A-level computing popular.

Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7 musical groups including jazz, swing bands, quartet, 2 orchestras, choir. Drama: Some pupils are involved in school and other productions. Recent productions of Blood Brothers (at Merlin Theatre), Godspell, The Importance of Being Earnest and Oliver (in school). Some pupils in productions at Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level.

Sport: Rugby, soccer, cricket, athletics compulsory. Optional: tennis, swimming, basketball, golf. A-level PE may be taken. County representatives in rugby and cricket. Activities: Pupils may take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Large number of clubs, eg debating, chess, war games, Greek, Japanese, DT, fencing, kick-boxing, bridge, music, drama, Christian Union.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head of school, prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Head Master. Religion: Christian school. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Trips overseas to eg Germany, France, Spain, Nepal, Rome; skiing; whitewater rafting. Pupils allowed to bring own cars. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once could expect, at most, supervision; detention if unsatisfactory. Those in possession of cannabis on the premises likely to be suspended at least; expulsion for pushers.

is run by the school.

Mr Justice Paul Kennedy (High Court judge); Lord Riverdale; Colonel John Boddy (High Sheriff); Michael Palin; Rex Harrison; Mark Roe; Richard Allan MP.