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What it's like

Founded by the will of Edward Latymer in 1624, the modern school lies between King Street and the Thames in Hammersmith, West London. The site, which it shares with the prep school, runs down to the river with fine views over Hammersmith Reach. The playing fields are about a mile and a half away. It is very well resourced, including the Latymer Arts Centre with a 300 seat theatre, music school and art studio; a major new building programme will provide state-of-the-art facilities in a new music school, science building and library and resource centre. Pupils come from a wide area of London and the school reflects the diversity of its community. Nowe co-educational; there has been a large mixed sixth since 1996 and girls were admitted into Year 7 for the first time in 2004. It is known as a rigorous but welcoming and tolerant community with high academic standards. Examination results are excellent. Music is tremendously strong and all pupils are encouraged to take part in musical activities: 500 learn an instrument; 225 are involved in school orchestras, and about 200 in the choirs. Many sports and games are provided and standards of achievement are high (a large number of representatives at county and regional level); there is a new sports pavilion and swimming pool. There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities and societies. Drama is particularly strong, with several productions a year across all age groups. Many camps, expeditions, sports tours and field courses are organised, including work experience in Paris and Berlin. The school is a major participant in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Emphasis on pupil involvement and the value of the individual.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 1106 day pupils, 740 boys, 366 girls (will increase as girls move through the school). Entrance:à Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam and interviews used; for external sixth-form entry, interview and personal offer (normally grade A in sixth-form subjects). Good academic potential looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry 60% at 11 and into the sixth form. 30% of pupils from own prep (enquiries/application to The Principal, Latymer Prep School, 36 Upper Mall, London W6 9TA; tel 0845 638 5700).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships, value up to 50% of fees: mostly academic, also for music, art, drama and sport. Some 14 foundation bursaries available (means-tested up to full fees). Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents

20+% are doctors, lawyers etc. 20+% in the theatre, media, music etc, 15+% in industry.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Peter Winter, appointed 2002. Educated at Trinity School, Croydon, and Oxford University (French). Previously Head of King Edward's, Bath, Housemaster and Head of Modern Languages at both Sevenoaks and Magdalen College School, and assistant master at Latymer Upper. Teaching staff: 93 full time, 28 music staff. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 129 in Year 11: all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 68. A-levels: 176 in upper sixth: 26% passed in 4 subjects, 74% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 411.

University & college entrance

Nearly all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 15% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 60% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects, 35 AS and A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; no general studies exams but 30% of sixth form take extension studies. 48% take science A-levels; 52% arts/humanities. Key skills integrated into AS-level teaching; optional ICT qualifications. Vocational: Work experience available in Britain and Europe. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian offered to GCSE and A-level. French or Spanish or German compulsory to GCSE. Regular exchanges and visits to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum; GCSE half course in Year 9. 150 computers for pupil use (9ý hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including 2 full orchestras, 5 string orchestras, bands, choirs. Drama: 5 major productions per year, plus other groups. On average 45 take A-level. Art and design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 50 A-level. Design, pottery, sculpture, photography and history of art also offered. Pupils regularly enter London art schools.

Sports & activities

Sport: Optional sports include rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, boats, athletics, soccer, tennis, cross-country, fencing, karate, scuba diving, table tennis, squash, badminton, swimming. 15-20 county players in rugby and other sports; Embley Park Sevens winners, 2 players capped for England (1 for women's rugby and 1 for U19 boys), 1 for Ireland (U19); U15 Middlesex champions; pupils representing south of England (football) and local borough (cross-country); boats strong (representing England in international regattas); U19 Middlesex county netball champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Annual activities week (700 pupils on 38 different camps, trips or courses).à Charity drives to raise money for national and local concerns; 'Saturday school' links with local state junior schools and junior music; 16+ partnership scheme with Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Scuba diving for those with disabilities. Over 40 clubs, eg bridge, debating, drama, literary, philosophy, photography, silversmiths, various sports.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: No houses. Prefects, senior prefects, head boy and head girl, appointed by the Head after a trial period of duties. Sixth-form liaison committee, pupil councils for each year group and whole school council. Religion: Inter-denominational. All pupils attend school assembly. Social: Joint orchestra and other activities (eg work experience) with Godolphin and Latymer. Many organised trips abroad eg ski trips, language exchanges; sports tours to eg New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Sri Lanka; expeditions to eg Peru, Nepal. Pupils allowed to cycle to school. Meals self-service. School shop and tuck shops.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once would certainly be given an imposition by teacher; thereafter, the school detention system most likely punishment; any pupil in possession what is believed to be an illegal substance loses the right to be at the school. Zero tolerance of bullying.

Alumni association

Membership secretary: G Lavers, 272 Marlow Bottom, Marlow, Bucks SL7 3PS.

Former pupils

Lord Walker (former Cabinet Minister); Sir Ian Percival (formerly Solicitor General); Mel Smith (actor, comedian, film producer); Andy Holmes (Olympic rowing gold medallist); Alan Rickman (actor); Sir John Killick (formerly Ambassador to Moscow); George Walden MP; Keith Vaz MP; Nigel Spearing MP; Sir James Spicer MP; Sir Roger Moate MP; Lord Whitty (former TUC General Secretary); Bill Emmett (Editor, The Economist); Hugh Jones (marathon runner); Dr Hilary Jones (TV Doctor); Hugh Grant (actor).