Founded in 1583 by Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury, it has a particularly fine site of 150 acres in the pleasant valley of St Bees. The sea and a magnificent beach are within half a mile and it has easy access to the Lake District. There are extensive grounds and playing fields. The buildings are impressive, the older ones made of St Bees red sandstone; the original school building (1587) is now a dining hall. There have been substantial recent developments, including a refurbished music school and a sixth-form centre. Originally a boys' school, it became fully co-educational in 1976. The aim of the school is to develop the individual talents of each pupil while providing an education based on Christian principles. Self-reliance, individuality and consideration for others are encouraged. The chapel is used frequently and worship is in the Anglican tradition. Academic standards are high and examination results good. The music, drama and art departments are strong. An excellent range of sports and games, including Eton fives and golf (the school has its own course); many county, regional and national representatives. Plentiful extra-curricular activities are available. CCF is compulsory for two years. Considerable emphasis is placed on outdoor pursuits for which the environment is ideal and outdoor pursuits form part of the junior curriculum. The school's international centre offers specialist English courses for overseas students.

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 298 pupils, 177 day (96 boys, 81 girls), 121 boarding (80 boys, 41 girls). Entrance:à Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam at 11 and 13; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Good all-round ability looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry, 85% main intake.

Approx 8 pa scholarships, value 20%-40% fees: 1-3 music, others academic (awarded at 11, 13 and 16). Sixth form awards for art, music and sport. Small number of means-tested bursaries available each year.

50% live within 30 miles; up to 25% live overseas.

Head: Philip J Capes, in post from 2000. Educated at Brighton College and at Exeter University (engineering). Previously Deputy Head at Warminster School. Teaching staff: 32 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 41.

GSCE: 47 pupils in the fifth, 83% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 11% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 63. A-levels: 50 in upper sixth: 78% pass in 4+ subjects; 16% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 346.

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (some to Oxbridge). 48% take courses in science and engineering, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design, 4% in drama and music. Others typically go on to non-degree courses, such as pilot training.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 GCSE subjects, 18 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take A-level general studies. 35% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses, with additional lessons in support. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist learning support and EFL departments. Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. European students regularly on short stays in school. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (10 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 musical groups including choir, orchestra, string group, brass, wind. Biennial choir tour to Europe. Drama: Drama offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions or in other productions. Art and design: On average, 12 take GCSE, 16 A-level. Pupils' work regularly exhibited in local galleries.

Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, rounders, tennis compulsory. Optional: swimming, cross-country, athletics, squash, fives, golf, soccer, basketball, badminton, etc. A number of county and regional representatives in all major sports. Activities: CCF compulsory for 2 years from age 14, optional thereafter. Weekly outdoor pursuits in Years 7 and 8. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, classics, squash, shooting, Chinese, conservation, fives, lifesaving, video, Tae-kwon-do, Christian Union, electronics, circus skills, series of guest lectures.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Headboy and headgirl, prefects, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Head and senior staff. Religion: Regular worship in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. Religious studies courses cover world religion. Social: Regular discos and annual balls, debates and lectures with other local schools. Trips abroad include sports tours, annual ski trips, language trips to France and Spain, visit to particle accelerator in Cerne. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol at supervised sixth-form social events only.

High standards of conduct are expected and enforced. The scale of punishments varies according to the nature of the offence; pupils may be suspended or expelled for serious breaches of major school rules.

W L Robinson; Professor R A McCance; Sir Kenneth Corley; Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker; Rowan Atkinson; P J Dixon; S J Reid.