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What it's like

Founded in 1850, it became well known by 1900 as one of the leading independent schools in southern England. In effect the school is the village of Bradfield and vice versa; a very attractive village of brick-and-half-timber and brick-and-flint houses in one of the prettiest regions of Berkshire. The total grounds cover about 200 acres. Its accommodation is excellent and it has outstandingly good facilities, including centres for music, design, electronics and IT, and a new golf course, sports complex and indoor tennis centre. It is a C of E foundation and Christian values are embodied in the life of the school, but those of other denominations are very welcome. There have been girls in the sixth form since 1989 and the school is now in the process of becoming fully co-educational: girls have been admitted at 13 from 2004, so the school will be mixed at all levels by 2007/08. Examination results are good. It is very strong in music and drama; it has an open-air Greek theatre where plays in Greek are performed every three years. Strong in sport and games, with numerous representatives at county and regional level. There is a CCF unit (much emphasis on adventure training and leadership skills), plentiful outdoor activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and sailing on the gravel pits at Theale. Work experience placements are frequent in the sixth form.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 13-18; 600 pupils, 80 day (50 boys, 30 girls), 520 boarding (404 boys, 116 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance exam plus scholarship examination used. No special skills required, but any are taken into account; no religious requirements. Small state school entry at 13; 25% new entrants to sixth form.

Scholarships & bursaries

18 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% of fees. Some bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks at sixth-form level.

Parents

10+% live within 30 miles; up to 15% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Peter Roberts, in post from 2003. Educated at Tiffin School, Kingston-upon-Thames, and Oxford University (history). Previously Housemaster of Scholars and Head of History at Winchester. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 4%.

Exam results

GCSE: 97 pupils in Year 11; 72% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 26% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 65 (61 over 5 years). A-levels: 142 in Year 13; 11% passed in 4+ subjects, 80% in 3, 8% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 290.

University & college entrance

90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 10% to Oxbridge. 5% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 44% in science and engineering, 41% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 2% in eg drama and music. Others typically go on to non-degree courses, art colleges or straight into careers eg management training.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects, 26 AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 33% take science A-levels; 33% arts/humanities; 33% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some specialist staff. Languages: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Latin and Greek offered at GCSE and A-level; also AS-level French, German and Spanish. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. A number of European pupils (Italian, German, Spanish, French, Russian) in school. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg production of magazine,design. 300 computers for pupil use (9+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils in school laptop scheme.

The arts

Music: Up to 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestra, band, jazz, swing bands, choirs, barbershop, brass, wind, string ensembles. Regular winners in Oxford Music Festival. Drama: Drama offered. GCSE drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions; Greek play every third year. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, textiles and pottery also offered. Around 6 enter art colleges annually.

Sports & activities

Sport: Football, hockey, cricket, athletics, swimming, golf, sailing, karate, fives, squash, cross-country, basketball, shooting, tennis, badminton, netball, lacrosse. Numerous county and regional representatives at various sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional for 3 years at age 13. Adventure training compulsory for all pupils. Over 30 clubs, eg wine tasting, classical and literary, photography, Shakespeare, world cinema, environmental.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, business dress in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head of school, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Head in consultation with staff and pupils. Religion: Church of England school. Attendance at school Chapel once per week for service. Social: Several organised holiday expeditions each year. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco allowed; school bar for 17 year olds.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once would be asked to do it; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect to be expelled.

Alumni association

c/o the Development Office.

Former pupils

Richard Adams (author); Lord Owen; Martin Ryle (astronomer); Sir John Knott; Louis de Bernieres; Nick Clark (BBC).