Founded in 1915 as a co-educational school, in Ebenezer Howard's Garden City, it was a pioneering concept in education that attracted progressive causes. For the first few years it was controlled by the Theosophical Educational Trust which practised ecumenicism long before such a movement became established. Later it become very much a family school under the guidance of Lyn and Eleanor Harris, whose son continued their regime until 1980. Together with the subsequent head (Colin Reid, also a long-serving headmaster), they provided continuity of purpose and fostered what the Quakers call an answering to that of God in every child'; this is the central purpose of the school. There is a domestic village atmosphere with most of the buildings in the Garden City idiom, surrounded by attractive grounds. The school provides a complete education from infancy to adulthood and a large number of the teaching staff have children at the school. The school has long been noted for the value it places on the individual. It attracts children (and parents) with strongly independent attitudes, those who find pressures elsewhere restrictive and those who need special care and attention. The school does not believe in artificial competition in academic work; thus there are no subject or form orders and no prizes. The teaching is of a high standard and examination results are good. It is very strong in drama, technology and art. There is a very wide range of sports, games and extra-curricular activities, with special emphasis on outdoor pursuits (eg rock-climbing, canoeing). Pupils are involved in a range of ventures among the local community, including the young, the old and the mentally ill. There are strong international links and visits by sixth formers to development projects in Rajasthan. The school diet is entirely vegetarian.

Pupils: Total age range 2.5-18; 599 pupils, 505 day (286 boys, 219 girls), 94 boarders (55 boys, 39 girls). Senior department 11-18, 415 pupils (244 boys, 171 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 2.5, 8, 9, 11 and 16. Own informal tests at an interview day; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Selection based on the ability to respond to opportunities, not only academic but in the creative arts, in outdoor pursuits and to participate in the school's unusual system of self-government. No religious requirements (no communal worship at the school, so attractive to parents who do not want this for their children). Small state school entry at 11; 90% of senior intake from own junior department.

Some sixth-form bursaries; discounts for siblings. Parents expected to buy only examination set textbooks for literature.

Headmaster: Richard Palmer, in post from 2006. Previously Head of the Junior School. Teaching staff: 52 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 37.

GCSE: 63 pupils in upper fifth: 62% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 24% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 49 (47 over 5 years). A-levels: 48 in upper sixth: 11% passed in 4 subjects; 60% in 3; 19% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 279.

70% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year). 14% take courses in science and engineering, 33% in humanities and social sciences, 14% in art and design, 16% in other vocational subjects eg business, journalism, hotel management, drama, technical theatre. Others typically go on to art or drama college.

GCSE, AS-levels and A-levels (including vocational A-levels). 17 GCSE subjects, 25 AS-level, 18 A-level (including theatre studies, psychology, history of art, design and technology, business studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 18% took science A-levels; 74% arts/humanities; 25% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: for limited number of pupils of good general ability requiring dyslexic or EFL help (both categories greatly oversubscribed). Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum eg CAD software used for designing products in technology, presentation software in geography projects. 160+ computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: All juniors start learning violin (whole class teaching); instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6 musical groups including 2 orchestras, jazz band, choir, recorder and guitar consort. Drama: Drama offered to a high standard and GCSE and A-level may be taken. All pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Students regularly move on to drama school, including RADA and Guildhall. Art and design: On average, 50% take GCSE, 30% A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered. Pupils regularly accepted at top art colleges eg Courtauld, Chelsea, Middlesex, Farnham.

Sport: Soccer, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, athletics, swimming (in new 25m pool) compulsory. Optional: basketball, croquet. National representatives at lacrosse; regional at athletics; county at volleyball. Activities: Opportunities for all to do community service, obligatory for sixth form; Active Relief Committee as part of student government. Over 30 clubs, eg film, beekeeping, archery, play reading, gliding, yoga, warhammer, climbing, jewellery making.

Uniform: School uniform not worn apart from games and PE. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses for games. Prefects (major officials'), head boy and girl - all elected by single transferable vote. School Council in existence since 1920 with much importance attached to its debates and decisions. Religion: No communal worship. Significant period of silence in each assembly and staff meeting. Some education about religions. Social: Occasional sixth-form conferences with other schools. Strong links with schools in Germany, France, Spain, Hungary, Slovenia and India. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. Diet is entirely wholefood vegetarian (no meat or fish allowed on campus). School shop (managed by students). Alcohol allowed occasionally under staff supervision; no tobacco.

School strongly inclined towards non-violent and pacifist solutions to conflict. For pupils failing to produce homework once, there are extra work sessions twice a week after school so they may repeat the work or catch up.

c/o the School.

Paul Hamlyn, Ralph Halpern (entrepreneurs); Michael Winner (film producer); Neil Coles (golfer); Shaun Slovo, Jonathan Croall, Jenny Diski (authors); Gavin Campbell (actor).