Founded in 1989 by parents, as there was no academic boys' day school in Northamptonshire. It is now co-educational. It is situated at Pitsford Hall, in a fine 25-acre park, 5 miles north of Northampton. A new science and technology centre was recently added. A full range of subjects is provided, including classics and separate sciences at GCSE. It aims eventually to have 520 pupils; it has a staff:pupil ratio of 1:10. Examination results are very good. There is a standard range of sports and games and national, regional and country representation at several sports.

Pupils: Age range 3-18; 360 day pupils (220 boys, 140 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages, 3, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including in sixth-form subjects). Christian foundation; sympathetic to others. State school entry, 30% of intake at 11.

8 pa scholarships, value 750-4250: 6 academic, others for sport, art, music (5 at 11, 3 at 16). 2 full-fee bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Headmaster: Noel Toone, in post from 2005. Educated at Bancroft's and London University (geography). Founder member of staff at the school and previously taught at Epsom College and Great Houghton Prep School. Teaching staff: 40 full time, 20 part time. Average age 37.

GCSE: 36 pupils in fifth year: 100% gained at least grade C in 6+ subjects. Average GCSE score 58 (59 over 5 years). A-levels: 20 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 305.

95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 15% humanities and social sciences, 20% art and design, 20% in vocational subjects. Others typically go straight into employment.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects, 16 AS-level, 15 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS and A-level general studies. 60% take science A-levels; 15% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills compulsory; taught as discrete units and integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience mandatory. Languages: French (from age 5), German (from 14) and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular visits (France, Spain and Germany). Japanese also offered. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Choir, jazz band, 2 rock bands. Several pupils in county bands and orchestras. Drama: Drama offered. Many pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 10 take GCSE. Pupils design sets for school productions.

Sport: Rugby, netball, soccer, cricket, athletics, hockey, cross-country compulsory. Optional: golf, sailing, badminton, tennis, squash. National, regional and county representation in cricket, golf, athletics, sailing, rugby; school has won county rugby cup 8 times. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress regulations in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school and heads of houses, appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Christian. Regular religious school assemblies, half-termly events held at local parish church. Social: Musical events, debating, general knowledge competitions and dances with a number of local schools. Annual visits to China, Hadrian's Wall, and to France, Germany, USA; skiing holiday. Pupils allowed to bring own bike/car to school. Meals formal. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Pupils failing to produce homework once would be asked to produce it next day (failure to do so results in detention); those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would be expelled.