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What it's like

Established in 1994 by the amalgamation of Fulneck Boys' School and Fulneck Girls' School. Both were originally founded in 1753 by the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) to educate and care for the sons and daughters of the Church's ministers and missionaries. Essentially a Christian establishment, moral and spiritual education permeate the ethos of the school; children of all faiths are welcome. The Grade I listed buildings stand in a semi-rural site on the side of a valley in the green belt between Leeds and Bradford. It has modern facilities with extensive grounds and playing fields. It aims to provide a broad education both through the formal curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities which prepare pupils to lead fulfilling lives. The aim is to provide an environment where pupils can be known and valued as individuals. The boarding department has separate boys' and girls' houses, but most meals are taken together and facilities and social activities are available to both.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 413 pupils, 368 day (200 boys, 168 girls), 45 boarding (28 boys, 17 girls). Senior school 11-18, 269 pupils (154 boys, 115 girls). Entrance: Main entry at 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 30% senior school from state schools; majority from own junior school.

Scholarships & bursaries

12 pa scholarships, value 20% day fees; 7 awarded at Year 7 (2 progression, 2 academic, 1 art, 1 sport, 1 music); 5 at 16. Bursaries available, maximum 50% of day fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunches included in fees.

Head & staff

Principal: Trevor Kernohan, appointed in 2003. Educated at Washington Grammar School and Leeds Universityà(geography; MEd). Previously Vice-Principal of the school. Teaching staff: 38 full time, 16 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 47 in Year 11: 62% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 18% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 51 (over 5 years). A-levels: 18 in upper sixth: 56% passed in 4+ subjects; 44% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 335.

University & college entrance

Most sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (6% after a gap year). 47% take courses in science and engineering, 24% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in vocational subjects eg nursing. A few typically go on to HND or art foundation courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels (including vocational A-levels). 20 examination subjects offered (including A-level general studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 30% take science A-levels; 10% arts/humanities; 60% both. Key skills integrated into activities and courses. Vocational: A-level in business offered; and work experience available. Special provision: Learning support unit, staffed by specialists in dyslexia and EFL. Small classes. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. French compulsory from age 9, Spanish and German optional from age 12. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg geography field study data analysis. 90+ computers for pupil use, all networked with internet access. Most pupils continue to at least GCSE.

The arts

Music: Over 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, jazz band, wind bands, recorder, flute choir and orchestral group. Choir has sung choral evensong in York Minster annually. Drama and dance: Drama and jazz dance offered. Theatre workshop with two productions annually. GCSE drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Art and design: On average 15 take GCSE, 3 A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: Athletics, cricket, hockey, netball, rounders, soccer, rugby, tennis compulsory. Optional: aerobics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cross-country, golf, scuba-diving, swimming, table tennis, volleyball. Pupils may take GCSE and A-level PE. City and county netball, athletics, soccer, cricket, and hockey representatives; recent national netball finalists U14. Sports tours abroad. Activities: Duke of Edinburgh's Award, World Challenge expeditions. Clubs include art, computer, design and technology, martial arts, dance, chess, debating, theatre workshop.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head girl, head boy, house captains elected by staff and sixth form. Religion: Moravian (Protestant). Religious worship compulsory; 3 assemblies a week (2 in church). Social: Trips abroad include business (eg Czech Republic), netball (Barbados), cricket (South Africa), soccer (Milan); annual ski trip (Italy); World Challenge expedition (Spain). Pupils allowed to bring own car to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework might expect to do it in a lunchtime catch-up session. Should it ever occur, a pupil in possession of illegal substances on the premises would expect immediate suspension and consultation with the Chairman of Governors; permanent exclusion would be a possibility.

Alumni association

is run by Mrs E Carruthers, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Dame Diana Rigg; Sir Frank Cooper (former Permanent Secretary, MOD); Air Commodore C R Fowler (ADC RAF); Herbert Asquith (former Prime Minister).