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What it's like

Founded in 1877 as a girls' school and in St Andrews, the seat of Scotland's oldest university and the home of golf. It has a very fine campus with 27 acres of gardens and playing fields, set against the background of the ruined cathedral and old harbour. It has excellent accommodation and facilities and the sixth form have access to the university library. Boys were first admitted to the sixth-form in 1999 and to the rest of the school in 2000; over 40% of the pupils are now boys. The teaching is of a high standard and academic results are consistently very good. An international community of learning, pupils come from across the world. The International Baccalaureate is offered in addition to academic and vocational A-levels. A wide range of subjects is available and music, drama and art can be pursued either as academic subjects or extra-curricular activities. Sport is strong, particularly athletics and lacrosse where international standards are regularly reached. The school has its own golf club with close connection with the Royal and Ancient and access to all the St Andrews courses, including the Old Course. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is well supported. The emphasis of the school is upon individuality and social contribution; independence and intrepidity are encouraged and the school is demanding but socially relaxed.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 427 pupils, 317 day (153 boys, 164 girls), 110 boarding (41 boys, 69 girls). Senior department 12-18, 239 pupils (91 boys, 148 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance test used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (preferably B or C in sixth-form subjects). State school entry, 10% senior intake; many senior pupils from own junior department.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships, value up to 1000 pa: academic and for music, art, golf, sport and drama (at 12, 13, 16). Parents expected to buy some sixth-form textbooks; extra charges for some activities, eg individual tuition in golf, musical instruments.

Parents

55+% live within 30 miles; 25% live overseas.

Head & staff

Principal: Robert Tims, in post 2003. Educated at Eton and Cambridge University. Previously Housemaster then Senior Master of Malvern College. Teaching staff: 36 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 5+%. Average age 42.

Exam results

GCSE: 30 pupils in Year 11: 87% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 7% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 63. A-levels: 40 in upper sixth: 25% passed in 4+ subjects, 65% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 343.

University & college entrance

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge; others to universities in UK, Germany and US. Courses taken include medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, science and engineering, languages, humanities and social sciences, art and design and other vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, nursing. Several leavers go on to art foundation courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, International Baccalaureate Diploma. Sixth form: Students study 6 subjects - 3 at higher, 3 at standard level - as well as theory of knowledge and undertaking community work as part of the creativity action and service element. Vocational: Work experience available, some in Europe. Special provision: Dedicated department provides support for learning, including EFL. Languages: French, German, Spanish offered to GCSE and IB; also Italian GCSE; other languages on request. Regular exchanges to Germany and France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curric8luml. 100+ computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including chamber and string orchestras, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz band, pipe band, 3 choirs and other chamber groups. Pupils regularly study music at university or conservatoire. Several members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Drama: GCSE drama offered. Regular representation in National and Scottish Youth Theatres. Art and design: On average, 50% of year group take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, printing and photography offered. Pupils regularly accepted for top art schools.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, lacrosse, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, dance, swimming, self-defence, basketball, badminton, squash, rugby, skiing, golf, sailing, football, netball. RLSS exams may be taken. Regular representation at regional and national level at lacrosse and hockey. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg orchestral, choir, golf, skiing, sailing, other sports, ecology.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth-form college. Houses and prefects: House structure (called teams). Head girl and head boy - appointed by the headmaster; team captains elected by members. School Council, run by head of school. Religion: Inter-denominational; also caters for non-Christians. Social: Social and academic events (music, debates) with other schools. Many trips abroad eg France (languages), Italy (art and classics), Austria and USA (skiing), Canada (music). Senior pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. No school shop (close to local ones). No tobacco allowed on campus; alcohol by agreement in the sixth-form college.

Discipline

Firm discipline, based on few but clearly expressed rules (given in student handbook), backed by sanctions. Students in possession of drugs forfeit the right to remain; those suspected of being under the influence of drugs can be required to take a drugs test.

Alumni association

is run by Dr Mary Campbell-Brown, c/o the school.