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What it's like

Founded in 1864, in memory of Prince Albert, it has a splendid site on a hill looking across the Mere to the 12th-century castle. There are 80 acres of gardens and playing fields. The well-designed buildings are excellently equipped and provide comfortable boarding accommodation. It has a new theatre, state-of-the-art design and technology centre and a well-equipped library, as well as an indoor swimming pool, sports and fitness complex, floodlit astroturf pitch and golf courses. The prep school, Brandeston Hall, is in a neighbouring village in the Deben valley. Religious worship in the Anglican tradition is encouraged. The academic expectations are high and exam results are consistently good. A commitment to co-education allows for a natural family atomsphere; courtesy, care and trust are encouraged. It is strong in music and drama and there is an excellent range of sports and games, in which high standards are achieved. Most pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 2-18, 695 pupils, 391 day (224 boys, 167 girls), 304 boarding (203 boys, 101 girls). Senior department:  13-18, 434 pupils, 171 day (90 boys, 81 girls), 263 boarding (167 boys, 96 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 8, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used where appropriate; special tests and entry arrangements for others. For sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in most AS-level subjects). No special skills or religious requirements but school is C of E. Small state school entry. 40+% of senior intake from own prep school (enquiries to the Master's Secretary, Brandeston Hall, Brandeston, Suffolk IP13 7AH, Tel 01728 685331, Email office@brandestonhall.co.uk).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships awarded at 11, 13 and 16; academic, all-rounder, art, drama, music, technology, science. Bursaries available; reductions for children of armed forces. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; other extras minimal.

Parents

50+% live within 50 miles; 20+% live overseas.

Head & staff

Head: Mrs Gwen Randall, in post from 1994. Educated at Mary Datchelor Girls' School, London, and Bristol University (French). Previously Deputy Head at Dauntsey's and Head of Drama and of Modern Languages at St Mary's (Calne). Teaching staff: 53 full time, plus music staff. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.

Exam results

GCSE: 76 pupils in Year 11: 97% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 59 (56 over 5 years). A-levels: 78 in upper sixth: 24% passed in 4+ subjects; 70% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 379.

University & college entrance

85% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (23% after a gap year), including at Oxbridge. 27% take courses in science and engineering, 7% in law, 32% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 16% in vocational subjects eg agriculture, management, drama. Others typically go on to farming, family business.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 23 AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 30% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills not taken. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Special classes with specialist teachers for ESL with additional tutorial support; also help for dyslexia and provision for the particularly gifted. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Links being developed with Eastern Europe. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 networked computers for pupil use (open all day), with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups, formal and informal, include choirs, barbershop, orchestra, wind band, rock bands, jazz bands, recorder, variety of ensembles. Drama: Drama offered. GCSE, AS and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions (3 annually), as performers or technicians; also musicals, cabaret evenings etc. Art and design: On average, 54 take GCSE, 23 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, furniture design, photography, jewellery making also offered. frequent success in regional and national competitions.

Sports & activities

Sport: Games/sports compulsory 2 afternoons per week. Options: hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, cross-country, athletics, sailing, shooting (.303, .22, clay-pigeon), squash, swimming, badminton, football, archery, gymnastics, multiple indoor games, tennis, cycling, golf, riding, rounders. GCSE, AS and A-level in PE may be taken. Regular county and divisional representation at rugby, hockey, golf, swimming and cricket; national representation at shooting, rounders, cricket, swimming and hockey. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional from age 13+. Charity events for local and national charities. Over 30 clubs and activities, from debating to keep-fit, cookery to choral society, equestrianism to aero-modelling, golf on campus or trekking in Peru.

School life

Uniform: School uniform, modified in the sixth form, worn throughout formal part of the day. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Head and housemasters/mistress. Religion: Church of England. Religious worship encouraged. Social: Debates, choral productions, dances. Organised trips and expeditions abroad. Pupils may drive to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Sixth-form centre. No tobacco allowed; limited alcohol allowed for upper sixth (in own centre).

Discipline

The school adopts a policy of warning with threat of sanction before awarding a detention for late homework etc. Any pupil involved with soft drugs will be suspended, followed by removal for subsequent abuse; any pupil using or experimenting with hard drugs will have his or her right to remain at the college removed.

Alumni association

is run by Norman Porter, Rill Cottage, Kiln Lane, Great Bealings, Woodbridge IP13 6NJ;

Former pupils

Gen Sir Patrick Howard Dobson (former ADC to the Queen); Capt G M Flowerdew VC; Capt A W S Agar VC DSO; Major W H Hewitt VC; N F Borrett (GB hockey captain and former world squash champion); J F Larter (cricket international); A Hancock (rugby international); Sir Alfred Munnings (artist); Ashley Cowan (England cricketer); Dr David Bull (TV presenter); Laura Wright (singer, member of All Angels).