Founded in 1542, it lies on 100 acres of fine estate in West Lavington, a pleasant village in the Vale of Pewsey, five miles south of Devizes. Recent developments include a new library, IT centre, art school, science department and senior girls' boarding house. The junior boarding house is in an attractive manor house nearby, with its own estate. It is a Christian foundation, ecumenical in spirit and practice, and aims to provide a sound education avoiding undue specialisation. Standards of teaching are high and examination results are very good. There is a very strong tradition in music, drama and art. It enjoys a good reputation for sport and games (a floodlit astroturf pitch). There are many other activities, including outdoor pursuits and ocean sailing (Jolie Brise' the school's gaff cutter won the Tall Ships Atlantic race 2000 and the Tall Ships race in 2002).

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 740 pupils, 464 day (246 boys, 218 girls), 276 boarding (135 boys, 141 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs grade B (usually grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 65% of intake at 11 from state schools (plus 50% new entrants to sixth form). Feeder schools include: at 11, St Francis Pewsy, The Mill, St Margaret's Calne, Heywood plus many local primary schools; at 13, Chafyn Grove, Norman Court and a range of local and regional prep schools.

Flexible number of scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: most academic, some music, art, drama, design technology, all-rounder; boarding-only scholarships at 13. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music lessons extra.

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

Headmaster: Stewart B Roberts, appointed 1997. Previously Second Master at the school, Housemaster at Shrewsbury. Teaching staff: 76 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 38.

GCSE: 121 pupils in fifth: all gain at least grade C in 6+ subjects, with an average GCSE score of 64. A-levels: 115 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 366.

Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30+% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. Typically 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 50% in science and engineering, 7% in law, 25% in humanities and social sciences, 8% in art and design. A few go on to FE courses, armed services, management training.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level, excluding general studies. 45% took science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 25% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some help for pupils with mild specific learning difficulties (dyslexia). Some classes for foreign pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also Russian and Italian if there is demand. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). Exchange/work experience. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg geography field studies, history (graveyard databases). 320 computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access; pupils with own laptops can access network in boarding houses.

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, dance band, wind band, rock groups (on average 2 concerts a week). Drama and dance: Both offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and some in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles.

Sport: Rugby, hockey, squash, tennis, cricket, athletics, netball, swimming, fencing, riding, badminton, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, ocean-sailing, canoeing, water polo, volleyball, basketball, judo, aerobics, rowing, life saving, shooting, scuba diving available. Number of county and regional representatives (rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics, tennis, swimming). Activities: Pupils take bronze and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 20 clubs, eg beekeeping, debating, birdwatching, sailing, model railway, electronics, wine appreciation, kite making, jewellery, chess, technology, film, modern dance.

Uniform: School uniform worn; guided choice of own clothes in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster and house staff. Religion: Christian non-denominational assembly compulsory except for those of non-Christian faith. Social: Regular visits abroad: ski trips; climbing/adventure club expeditions; ocean sailing; French, German and Spanish exchange; sports tours (eg Holland, Malta, Canada, South America, Australia). Day pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol only in sixth-form club.

Pupils failing to produce homework may be expected to repeat it under supervision; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises will be excluded.

is run by H J Hodges, c/o the School.

Desmond Morris; Revd W Awdry (Thomas the Tank Engine); Simon May; Jeremy James Taylor; Andrew Gardner; Guin and Miriam Batten.