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What it's like

Founded in 1552 by royal charter of Edward VI. In 1971 the senior school moved to its present premises, which lie on a fine site of 14 acres overlooking the city. The Old Building (c1830) houses part of the school, but there are many new buildings and good modern facilities. These include a new theatre, a building housing DT, art and photography, a refurbished music department with recording studio and a sports hall with health and fitness suite. The junior school (and soon, too, the pre-prep) is on the same site. The school moved to co-education from 1997, completing the process in 2001; the first female head was appointed in 2002. Continuous education is now offered to girls and boys from the age of 3. There is a high standard of teaching and academic achievement, and examination results are very good. The sports, art and drama departments are very strong and a good range of sports, games and outdoor pursuits is on offer.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 943 day pupils (694 boys, 249 girls). Senior department 11-18, 655 pupils (495 boys, 160 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, 48 points at GCSE including passes in English and maths (grade B in sixth-form subjects). 45% of senior entry from state schools (plus 50% of new sixth-form entrants); 45% from own junior department.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships at 11 (up to 500 pa to Year 11), academic or special talent (eg sport, art, music, drama); substantial entry awards to sixth form. Additional means-tested bursaries available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch, music tuition, optional extras.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Crispin Rowe, in post from 2005. Educated at Newcastle University (history). Previously Second Master at the school, and taught at Watford Boys' Grammar and at the Royal Grammar, Newcastle. Teaching staff: 73 full time, 21 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.

Exam results

GCSE: 92 pupils in fifth: 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 64 (63 over 5 years). A-levels: 102 in upper sixth: 20% passed in 4+ subjects; 80% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 390.

University & college entrance

97% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree or art foundation course, 11% to Oxbridge. 13% take courses in eg nursing, medicine, optometry, 22% in science and engineering, 50% in humanities, law and social sciences, 10% in business and economics, 5% in art and design. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg drama or music colleges or employment with training eg army, nursery nurse training.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 25 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; AS and A-level general studies additional option. 30% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 30% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Support arranged for dyslexic pupils. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level; Russian and Greek to GCSE. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 30+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, brass group, chamber choir, early music group, saxophone ensemble, clarinet group. Drama: Drama offered from Year 7 and at GCSE and A-level. Many pupils are involved in school and other productions. Annual arts festival involving a large number of pupils. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 25 A-level. Design, textiles, photography and print-making also offered. Students go on to art foundation courses each year.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, basketball, netball, rounders, tennis compulsory. Optional: fencing, judo, lifesaving, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, soccer, personal health and fitness training. Sixth form only: swimming, squash, climbing, golf, aerobics. Regular county rugby, hockey, cricket and netball players and athletes; sometimes national players. Activities: CCF optional at age 13, community service at 16. Over 30 clubs, eg chess, computing, Amnesty International, astronomical, Christian Union, mountain walking, ski club. Environmental Action Group, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth form wear own suit. Houses and prefects: Prefects elected by staff after poll of school; head prefects appointed by the Head. School Council. Religion: Morning assembly (non-denominational) compulsory; voluntary communion services twice a term. Social: Pupils belong to various sixth-form societies (eg economics, science). Exchange visits, ski trips, music and sports tours abroad (eg rugby/netball to New Zealand and Fiji, cricket to Barbados, hockey to South Africa). Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

The ethos is liberal and humane, but there are clear guidelines as to behaviour. The school actively promotes a healthy lifestyle and seeks to educate its pupils on a range of personal and health issues.

Alumni association

is run by the Development Office, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Viscount Simon (former Lord Chancellor), Lt General John Deverell (second i/c NATO Land Forces).