Founded in 1884, as a Methodist foundation. It occupies a single site in the splendid North Devon countryside, overlooking Bideford and the Torridge estuary. Its five elegant houses and other buildings form part of an estate of 50 acres in a peaceful and delightful situation. Comfortable accommodation and excellent modern facilities. The co-educational prep and kindergarten departments are attached. The senior school was a girlsž school until it became co-educational in 1993. The music and drama departments are flourishing with a new 400 seat theatre. There is a good range of sport (successful hockey and tennis teams) and extra-curricular activities, including community service and Ten Tors expeditions

Total age range 3ÃÂ"18; 298 pupils, 251 day (102 boys: 149 girls), 47 boarding (34 boys, 13 girls). Senior department 11-18, 200 pupils (80 boys, 120 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-5, 11, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs with at least grade C in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements. 40% senior intake from state schools (plus few to sixth form).

20 pa scholarships, value 400-1100: 12 academic and 2 each for art, drama, music, sport (most awarded at 11, 4 each at 13 and 16). 10 bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Headmaster: Stuart Nicholson, in post from 2006. Educated at universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. Previously taught and been Senior Housemaster at schools in Edinburgh and East Anglia. Teaching staff: 28 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 3%.

GCSE: 40 pupils in upper fifth: 47% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 51 (50 over 5 years). A-levels: 54 in upper sixth: 63% pupils passed in 3+ subjects; 30% in 2; and 7% in 1 subject. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 257.

94% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (6% after a gap year). 20% take courses in science, medicine and engineering, 27% in humanities and social sciences, 25% in accounting and business management, 4% in computing, 24% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, drama, teaching, hotel and catering. Others typically go straight into work.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects offered; 16 at A-level. 20% take science A-levels; 70% arts/humanities; 10% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist teachers for dyslexic children and for ESOL. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 40 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), most networked with internet access.

Music: Over 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some musical groups including strings, wind band. Choir regularly wins local music festivals. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 10 AS-level, 8 A-level. Design, textiles, photography, life drawing also offered.

Sport: Hockey, netball, football, rugby, athletics, rounders, gym, cricket compulsory. Optional: swimming, trampolining, badminton, volleyball, tennis, riding, outdoor pursuits, judo, lifesaving. Sixth form only: squash, golf. GCSE exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg ICT public-speaking, calligraphy, Chinese cookery, Weatherwatch, Young Investigators, music.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head pupil, head of house and house prefects, elected by the school. School Council. Religion: Methodist. Sunday morning worship and morning assembly. Christian Union. Social: Dancing lessons, dances/socials, theatrical productions with nearby schools. Organised trips abroad. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Debbie Thrower.