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What it's like

Founded and endowed in 1604 at the sole charge of the estate of Peter Blundell, clothier of Tiverton, by Sir John Popham. In 1882 it moved to the outskirts of Tiverton, on a fine estate of 80 acres of beautiful gardens, playing fields and other grounds. Its pleasant and well-equipped buildings provide good facilities and comfortable accommodation. The school maintains a Christian tradition and Anglican practice; all pupils are expected to attend weekday morning chapel and the school service on Sundays. Exclusively a boys school until 1976, when it first accepted girls to the sixth form, it became fully co-educational in 1993. There is a large sixth form and a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:9. Academic standards are high and examination results good. The school has always been strong in music and its music centre provides excellent facilities. Drama is also very strong and there is much dramatic activity. Art, crafts and technology are also flourishing fields of work and study. A wide variety of sports and games is available and standards are high. Many clubs and activities cater for most conceivable interests. There is a large CCF and other activities include climbing, canoeing, abseiling, flying, sailing and expeditions on Dartmoor and Exmoor. There is an unusually big commitment to local community service.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 565 pupils, 181 day (103 boys, 78 girls), 270 weekly-boarding (169 boys, 101 girls), 114 boarding (62 boys, 52 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (preferably grade B in sixth-form subjects). All special skills are welcome; so is the all-rounder. No religious requirements. 15+% of intakes at 11 and 16 from state schools. Feeder schools include Forres Sandle, King's Hall, Mount House, St John's (Sidmouth), St Michael's (Tavistock), St Peter's (Lympstone), The Downs (Wraxall).

Scholarships & bursaries

22-25 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: 12 academic, 6 all-rounder, 2 art, 1 drama, 4 music (plus small awards at 11 13 and 16). Special reductions for siblings, armed forces; 20% reductions for pupils over 13 from the local area. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents

30% live within 30 miles, 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Ian Davenport, in post from 2004. Educated at Bloxham and Durham University (politics). Previously Senior Tutor, Housemaster and Head of Economics and Politics at Radley. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: On average 80 pupils in upper fifth; 95% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 61 (60 over 3 years). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth: 5% pass in 4+ subjects, 90% in 3, 5% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 325.

University & college entrance

96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 25% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 30% in business related subjects. Others typically go straight in to commerce or the military.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS-level subjects, 18 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, wide range of general studies courses (AS-level additional option). 30% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 25% both. Key skills taught to a pilot group. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Tuition for dyslexics and EFL available. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Links with schools and exchanges arranged. European students regularly in sixth form. ICT: 180 PCs with internet access plus computers in all departments.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including 2 orchestras, 3 choirs, big band, chamber music groups, pop groups. Drama: Drama offered and GCSE and A-level may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 2 AS-level, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, photography, history of art, sculpture also offered. Recent pupil now photographer for National Trust, another a promo editor for Carlton TV.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, cricket compulsory for boys; hockey for girls (up to 16). Optional: fives, squash, hockey, football, fencing, judo, athletics, cross-country, tennis, swimming, basketball, shooting, netball, sailing, canoeing, golf, badminton, archery. GCSE, A-level, RLSS exams may be taken. 2 test cricketers in recent years; 4 recent England rugby players. Present pupils represent county at rugby, cricket, squash, hockey, athletics; region at athletics, basketball, fives, judo, fencing. Activities: CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg astronomy, music, Blundell's Action (to help the community), sailing, debating, literary, chess, French, World Challenge etc.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout, except in houses. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses - 1 junior (11-13 year olds), 3 boarding boy, 2 boarding girl, 1 upper sixth boarding co-ed. Monitors, head boy and girl, head of house and house monitors, appointed by Headmaster after consultation with monitors, housemasters etc. Religion: Church of England school. Daily service for whole school; 6 Sunday services per term. Social: Debates, general knowledge competitions, musical events etc with local schools. Exchanges; links with schools in eg Australia, Berlin, South Africa, Slovakia, Russia; regular trips to west and east Europe; travel bursaries available for development of international understanding. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service (staff always present). School tuck and tailor's shop. No tobacco allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once can expect appropriate admonition; those connected with cannabis would expect to leave; repeated smoking and illegal drinking also lead to expulsion.

Alumni association

is run by E R Crowe, c/o the School.

Former pupils

Lord Stokes; Michael Mates MP; Sir John Gray; Richard Sharp; Clem Thomas; Vic Marks; Hugh Morris; Peter Hurford; Paul Levi; General Sir John Hackett; Christopher Ondaatje; Richard Handover.