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What it's like

There is no record of a foundation date but by 1384 a school had been long established and it is a fair presumption that some form of educational establishment had always adjoined the cathedral (founded in the 7th century). It is now fully co-educational, having first admitted girls in 1970. Hereford is one of the most beautiful cathedral cities in England and the school is situated right next to the cathedral and housed in a variety of fine buildings of different periods in lovely gardens very near the Wye. New buildings house indoor cricket nets, a main hall, drama studio, library, careers suite and departments including art and technology. Large playing fields are nearby. It is a C of E foundation and religious instruction and worship are an essential part of its life. The school uses the cathedral daily for assembly, as well as at other times for special services, and the cathedral choristers are members of the school. Music plays an important part in the life of the school. Academic standards are high and examination results good. Sports and games also flourish, and there is a wide range of other curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 900 day pupils, (500 boys, 400 girls). Senior department 11-18; 540 pupils (300 boys, 240 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. No special skills required. All pupils attend Christian worship. 50% main senior intake from state schools (plus 10% to sixth form); many from own junior (enquiries to the Registrar, Hereford Cathedral Junior School, 28 Castle Street, Hereford HR1 2NW, tel 01432 363511).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships and bursaries at 11, 13 and 16; further music scholarships and exhibitions. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras 100 per term, plus music tuition.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Paul Smith, in post from 2005. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 25 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 90 in upper fifth: 90% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 10% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 57 (66 over 5 years). A-levels: 80 in upper sixth: 95% passed in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 332.

University & college entrance

90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 15% in art and design, 15% in other subjects eg music, business. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg HND agriculture, business studies, art/drama college or straight into careers.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21-22 AS/A level subjects. GCSE maths taken a year early by some. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. No general studies. 35% take science/maths A-levels; 45% take arts and humanities; 20% both. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Japanese offered extra-curriculum. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Over 20 musical groups including Gilbert Consort (medieval instruments); chamber choir; 3 members of National Youth Orchestra; opera performed at Three Choirs Festival fringe; 3 organ/choral scholarships to Oxford University recently; others go on to music courses at universities and music colleges each year. Drama: Drama/theatre studies offered to GCSE and A-level. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered and art history A-level. A number go on to study art at university or art colleges each year.

Sports & activities

Sport: Athletics, cricket, rugby, rowing, hockey (boys); hockey, netball, athletics, rowing, rounders, cricket (girls). Sixth form only: squash, badminton, golf. Several county and national players (boys and girls) in various sports. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF normally compulsory for 1 year at age 14, optional thereafter (CCF orienteering national team champions 1998). Community service optional. Over 40 clubs, eg debating (winners of Observer Mace twice, Oxford and Cambridge Union finalists 1999 and 2000), Young Enterprise, various musical groups.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; concessions in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Monitors, head boy/girl, head of house and house monitors, appointed by the Headmaster and heads of houses. School Council. Religion: Church of England foundation. Daily services at the cathedral. Social: School participates in many Hereford festivals (Three Choirs, etc). Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Former pupils

Kingsley Martin; Godfrey Winn; Sir Horace Cutler; Sir David Roberts; Peter and Dick Richardson; Paul Thorburn; Air Marshal Sir Geoffrey Dhenin; Michael Walling; Paul Hyett; Sir Michael Parker.