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What it's like

Founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, a merchant of London and Reading. In 1947 it moved to its present premises at Holme Park, in the village of Sonning-on-Thames. The main buildings comprise a magnificent brick-and-flint mansion in the Tudor collegiate style of architecture. It lies in a beautiful 46-acre wooded estate with a most agreeable frontage along the River Thames at Sonning Lock. The school is well appointed and comfortable and there are good modern facilities, including a science centre, drama studio, ICT centre and library suite. Close links with the Church of England are maintained and pupils are educated in an atmosphere where Christian values and standards are recognised and established within the community. A broad, sound and general education is provided and examination results are good. Music is very strong and there is a variety of orchestral and choral groups. Art and drama have a high profile in the school. Facilities for games and sports are very good; the new sports hall has a fitness suite, climbing wall and courts for badminton, basketball and hockey. The CCF is a large voluntary unit with Army, Navy and Air Force sections. A wide range of clubs and societies caters for most needs. Activities include kayaking, film club and community work. Considerable enterprise is shown in organising expeditions, excursions and tours overseas either with World Challenge, language departments or sports.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 650 pupils (600 boys, 50 girls). Entrance: Entry at ages 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, interview, 6 good GCSEs (grade B in sixth-form subjects) and reasoning tests. State school entry, 50% main intakes plus 25% to sixth form.

Scholarships & bursaries

Approx 6 pa scholarships (including music and art). Also bursaries (no fixed number).

Head & staff

Headmaster: S J W McArthur, in post since 1997. Educated at Coleraine and at universities of Ulster (geography) and Sussex (education management). Previously Headmaster of Langley School and of Arnold Lodge, Deputy Headmaster at St Bede's and Housemaster and Head of Geography at Denstone. Former Chairman of SHMIS; Member National ISIS Committee, ISCO Council and ISJC Training Board Committee. Teaching staff: 66 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 44.

Exam results

GCSE: 95 pupils in fifth: all gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average in 9.9 subjects). Average GCSE score 62 (60 over 5 years). A-levels: 102 in upper sixth: the average passing in 3 subjects, with a final point score of 377.

University & college entrance

88% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year). 40% take courses in science and engineering, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 4% in music. Others typically go directly to careers or art or drama colleges.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels: 21 GCSE subjects, 23 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (1 complementary), 3 at A-level. 48% took science A-levels, 35% arts/humanities; 17% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. All upper sixth take a contemporary studies programme; sixth form specials' for all sixth form. Vocational: Work experience in fourth year. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum (eg CAD in design and technology, specialist language programmes). 80 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestra, wind band, jazz band, choir. Some pupils in regional youth orchestra. Drama: A-level performing arts offered. Pupils are involved in school and house/other productions; some with parts in recent TV productions and films. Art and design: On average 25 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Regular exhibitions. Artists-in-residence programme.

Sports & activities

Sport: All play rugby (autumn), soccer (spring), cricket and athletics (summer). Additional options for seniors: hockey, rowing, squash, tennis etc. AS and A-level sport and PE offered. Representatives in national rowing teams; county and national representatives in rugby; county representatives in hockey, cricket, swimming, orienteering. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional from age 13. Clubs include archery, film-makers club, drama, electronics, kayaking, sailing, climbing. Internationally successful public speaking and debating (enter eg Observer Mace, World Debating and Public Speaking Competition). World Challenge expeditions to Vietnam, Bolivia, Morocco.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster on the recommendation of staff and sixth form. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Conferences (sixth form) and lectures jointly with other local schools. Annual excursion for skiing; trips to France or Germany. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Lunch cafeteria-style (in dining hall or sixth form cafZ. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Depends on close co-operation between tutor, pupil and parent.