The origins of the school are firmly traceable to the Charter issued by Queen Elizabeth in 1561. The present site, opposite the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene (consecrated as a chantry chapel in 1309 and home of the original school) has a range of buildings representing architectural styles from the 1870s to the present day. A major new building has a theatre, music school, drama department and sixth form centre. It has excellent state-of-the-art facilities and 22 acres of playing fields by the Thames, opposite Hampton Court Palace. It is fully co-educational, having first admitted girls in 1978. Academic standards are high and examination results are very good. The pastoral organisation is based on lower school (Years 6-9), middle school (GCSE years) and sixth form; strong tutorial programme encourages pupils to develop their individual talents. Music and drama are strong. There are several orchestras and many ensembles, plus a choral society. Several dramatic performances are presented each year. Sports and games are very well catered for, and the school is famous for its hockey (played in both winter terms) and rowing and has a long list of blues and international players. Numerous clubs and societies provide for most extra-curricular needs. The flourishing CCF contingent comprises Army and Air Force sections.

Pupils: Age range 10-18, 750 day pupils (420 boys, 330 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 13 and 16. Common entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, good GCSEs normally with grade A in sixth-form subjects. State school entry 60% main intake, plus 30+% new intake to sixth form. Feeder prep schools include Homefield, Holy Cross, The Mall, Newland House, Shrewsbury House, Willington; primary schools include Coombe Hill, Fern Hill, Latchmere, St Paul's, St Stephen's, Sheen Mount, Thames Ditton Junior.

27 pa scholarships and foundation awards (including 2 music, 2 art and 4 sports awards), value up to 50% fees: some awarded at 11, others at 13 and 16. 12 means-tested bursaries (which may be used to augment other awards).

Headmaster: C D Baxter, in post from 1991. Educated at Lord Williams' School, Thame, and Oxford University (English language and literature). Previously Academic Director and Head of English and Drama at Wycliffe, Housemaster and Librarian at Gresham's. Teaching staff: 67 full time, 8 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 40.

GCSE: 91 pupils in upper fifth: all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, with an average GCSE score of 69. A-levels: 79 in upper sixth: 11% passed in 4+ subjects; 89% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 375.

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (18% after a gap year), 8% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 48% in humanities and arts, 8% in social sciences, 6% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, accounting.

GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. Key skills: IT (ECDL) taught as a discrete unit for all; numeracy and communication being introduced for those who need them. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision:à Extra help available for those with learning difficulties. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). Talks from MEPs. Use of European satellite television and multi-media modern languages suite. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg intranet with information selected by all departments. 96 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8-10 musical groups including orchestras, concert band, wind ensemble, various chamber groups, jazz, choirs. Drama: Drama offered as part of curriculum and to GCSE and A-level theatre studies. Many pupils are involved in school and house/other productions; Dr Faustus and Arabian Nights recently, involving very many pupils and staff. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, textiles, photography, ceramics offered. Pupils regularly gain entry into art colleges.

Sport: Aerobics, athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cricket, cross-country, fencing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rowing, sailing, shooting, squash, swimming, real tennis, table tennis, tennis. Hockey and rowing particularly successful: in recent years, boys U18 national indoor and outdoor hockey champions and U14s; girls' U18 hockey champions (2003, 2004), U14s (2007); numerous rowing representatives at all levels (including men's GB U23, women's U21), Schools Head (J16 girls winners 2007) and national schools' regatta medallists. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional. Community service for sixth form. Up to 30 clubs, eg numerous sports, art, Gibbon Society (debating), chess, drama, Young Enterprise, photography, and academic societies.

Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, school captain, vice captains appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Christian, non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship not compulsory. Social: Language exchanges; hockey tour to Holland (annually) and southern hemisphere; rowing training in Belgium; geography and biology field trips; annual music and classics tours abroad; annual ski trip; biennial World Challenge expeditions (eg Peru, Ecuador). Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school; sixth form may bring car. Meals self-service. School shop.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to be given a (short) deadline to complete the work, or issued with a Misconduct (possibly leading to Saturday detention); those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect to be withdrawn from the school.

Michael Frayn (author and playwright); Neil Fox (DJ, Capital Radio); Simon May (composer); Neil Mullarkey (comedian); Edward Gibbon (historian); R C Sherriff (playwright); James Cracknell (Olympic gold medallist rowing).