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What it's like

Founded as a co-educational school in 1855, and originally known as the Manchester Warehousemen and Clerks' Orphan Schools, it remains faithful to its charitable origins. It was one of the first co-educational schools to join HMC and became independent in 1976 when the Direct Grant Scheme ended. On a single urban site, it is set in 83 acres of Cheshire countryside near Manchester. There have been extensive additions to the original Victorian buildings, including more recently a computer-aided language learning centre, computer centre, state-of-the-art labs and fine art studio, all-weather floodlit sports pitch and swimming pool. The junior school is on the same site, and both are surrounded by extensive playing fields. The school is non-denominational and prides itself on high levels of pastoral care. A sound academic education is given and examination results are very good. Music, art and drama are strong. There are regular county, and occasional national, representatives in sport.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1321 day pupils (710 boys, 611 girls). Senior department 11-18, 1024 pupils (541 boys, 483 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4-9, 11, 13, 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements.

Scholarships & bursaries

Limited number of bursaries at Year 7 and sixth form. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Paul Dixon, in post from 2001. Educated at Bexhill County Grammar School and Oxford University (zoology). Previously Headmaster at Reigate Grammar School, Deputy Head at Stockport Grammar and has taught biology at St Dunstan's, at Brighton College and at Winchester College. Former member of HMC sports sub-committee, governor of a girls' prep school and a member of Surrey University Court; active sportsman (basketball blue, two successive years). Teaching staff: 102 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 151 pupils in Year 11: 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 63. A-levels: 154 in upper sixth. 9% passed in 4+ subjects; 91% in 3 subjects (excluding general studies). Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 351.

University & college entrance

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (14% after a gap year); 3% to Oxbridge, 90% went to their first-choice university. 13% took courses in medicine, 36% in science and engineering, 49% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in art and design.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; extension classess offered in all subjects. In addition, AS and A-level general studies an option. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Learning support co-ordinator supports children with specific mild learning difficulties. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg in geography to access current data on the internet. 175 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access, plus some laptops for class use; all classrooms being networked.

The arts

Music: Large proportion of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken and many achieve a high level. Musical groups include orchestras, choirs, jazz and wind bands, various string groups. Frequent performance opportunities. Pupils regularly accepted by music colleges or to read music at university. Drama: Drama offered and GCSE, AS and A-level may be taken. Many pupils involved in regular school productions. Art and design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 13 AS-level, 11 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles, photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: All pupils encouraged to take part in school's wide-ranging games programme including rugby, hockey, soccer, cross-country, netball, swimming, tennis, cricket, athletics, badminton. Occasional representatives in national teams, regularly at county level in a number of sports. Activities: Large numbers take Cheadle Hulme Challenge (introduces skills and expeditions so developing organisational and leadership abilities); community service. Clubs include IT multi-media, chess, history, politics.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, appointed by the Head on advice. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school. No compulsory religious worship. Social: Many organised trips to France, Germany, Spain, Italy/Greece; others linked to subjects to eg Russia, USA, the Gambia; annual skiing trip; exchange programme with school in Boston, USA. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a verbal reprimand, detention and to do the homework. School has a thorough rewards and sanctions policy which covers all aspects of school discipline.

Alumni association

is run by the Development Office (tel 0161 488 3341).