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What it's like

Founded in 1959, it is in the village of Mickleham in whose life the school plays an active part. The main building is a handsome Victorian mansion situated in 40 acres of delightful grounds, with big playing fields. A recent building programme has added new science and classroom blocks, fitness and art centres, as well as new boarding accommodation. It belongs to The Round Square and is run on the principles of Kurt Hahn, founder of Salem and Gordonstoun, setting academic work at the centre of a broad education. It has close links with schools across the world, and there is an efficient system of exchanges and post-A-level attachments with them. There is a strong pastoral system and pupils meet their tutors daily. Unusually, parents can monitor their child's academic progress, disciplinary record and pastoral matters through the school's academic monitoring (BHS4Parents). A wide range of activities and expeditions is operated in the belief that all pupils may excel at something, will develop through challenging experiences, and should emerge as well-rounded citizens. Drama, music and art are regarded as particularly important. It was founded as a co-educational school. The staff includes dyslexia specialists and teachers of English as a second language. An all-round education is given. Examination results are good and almost all sixth-form leavers go on to universities. Expeditions to York, Canterbury and the Lake District form part of the Years 7-9 curriculum.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 360 pupils, 240 day (144 boys, 60 girls), 159 boarding (105 boys, 54 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Good music or art and an ability to contribute to school life looked for; no religious requirements. Approx 20% of intake from state schools.

Scholarships & bursaries

20 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% of fees: academic, performing arts, sport, all-rounder (at 11, 13 and 16). Bursaries for cases of proven need. Parents expected to buy some A-level textbooks; other extras vary but kept to a minimum.

Parents

65+% live within 30 miles; 25-30% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Mark Eagers, in post from 2003. Educated at King's School, Canterbury and at universities of Cambridge (history) and Bath (education). Previously Deputy Head of Ardingly, and taught at United World College, Singapore, and at Wycliffe. Also senior examiner with IBO. Teaching staff: 37 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 57 pupils in Year 11; 67% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 41 (40 over 5 years). A-levels: 37 in Year 13. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 248.

University & college entrance

75%-95% of leavers go on to a degree course, small number to Oxbridge. 17% take courses in science and engineering, 17% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design, 17% in business and finance, 15% in vocational subjects eg journalism, accountancy, tourism. Others typically go on to non-degree courses or into employment.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. Sixth-form: Most sixth formers take 3 subjects at AS-level, 2-3 at A-level. 24% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 36% both. Vocational: RSA qualifications available in IT and core text processing. Special provision: 4 dyslexia specialists, 5 teachers of English as a second language. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 20 computers for pupil use (13 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All pupils given a laptop in Year 7 and encouraged to purchase one in Year 10. Fully equipped cyber cafZ is used by all pupils.

The arts

Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Instrumental exams can be taken; also A-level music and music technology. Some 6 musical groups including orchestra, strings, choirs, rock, jazz, percussion. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, fashion and textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: No compulsory sports though all take part in some sport and PE. Optional: wide range including athletics, badminton, basketball, climbing (expeditions and indoor climbing wall), cricket, cross-country, football, hockey, judo, karate, netball, riding, squash, ice skating, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball. GCSE PE and A-level sport studies may be taken. District, county representatives in athletics, cricket, swimming. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (gold may be taken in countries all over the world). 2 expeditions a year for Years 7-9. Activities timetabled for 2-5 hours a week, plus some 10 clubs, eg Box Hill Society, economics and politics, electronics, debating, community service.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; smart formal wear in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects. School council. Religion: Non-denominational service most Sundays from which parents may request exemption. Social: Sixth-form conference and careers conference. Organised overseas trips; mountaineering trips to the Alps; well-developed exchange programme. Sixth-form and society/club dinners formal; self-service at other times. School shop sells books. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework would be kept in on one afternoon. School has strict, published policies on illegal drugs, alcohol and smoking. A strong moral code is inculcated.

Alumni association

is run by the school.