Founded in 1863 by a group of Wolverhampton businessmen to provide a school for the sons of non-conformists. It is now inter-denominational and, since 1982, co-educational. A purpose-built pre-prep department recently opened on the same site together with a new lower school building, so continuous education is now offered from 2-18. It has a most agreeable site in the old village of Tettenhall in 33 acres of attractive grounds three miles from Wolverhampton. The original building contains the boys' boarding house, dining hall, chapel and library. Playing fields are on site. A broad general education is provided and examination results are good. Music, art and drama are well supported. A good range of sports and games is available and there are many county, regional and some national representatives. Numerous clubs and societies for extra-curricular activities. Pupils also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils: Total age range 2-18, 489 pupils, 415 day (245 boys, 170 girls), 74 boarding (49 boys, 25 girls). Senior department 11-18, 264 pupils (167 boys, 97 girls). Entrance:à Main entry age 2, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used at 13; own assessments and interviews at other ages. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (including sixth-form subjects). State school entry, 90% main senior intake.

6% of school income allocated to scholarships and bursaries, value 10%-50% of fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama, music (awarded at 11, 13 and 16). Bursaries for children of clergy and service personnel.

Headmaster: Dr P C Bodkin, in post since 1994. Educated at Bradfield and St Andrews University. Previously Senior Housemaster at Bradfield. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 40.

GCSE: 41 pupils in Year 11: 85% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 13% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 57. A-levels: 35 in upper sixth: 51% passed in 4+ subjects; 41% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 260.

97% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 22% in science and engineering, 71% in humanities and social sciences. Occasional pupil goes on to eg HND or direct into a career.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18-20 examination subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (good mix), 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 23% took science A-levels; 42% arts/humanities; 19% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL department, learning support, eg dyslexia. Languages: French (compulsory from age 7) and German (offered from age 11) GCSE and A-level. Exchanges toà France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg projects, topic work, displays. All pupils take GCSE. 110 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked with email and internet access. Pupils allowed laptops. Novel network in ICT department, all classrooms and library; Email and internet access.

Music: A third of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6 musical groups including chamber choir, concert band. Numerous successes at regional level, occasionally at national. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE and A-level drama and theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions (eg Thoroughly Modern Millie, 2006); many in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 18 take GCSE, 6 A-level. Design, pottery, sculpture, textiles, photography, graphics also offered.

Sport: Wide range including rugby, football, hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, cricket, squash, athletics - guided choice at all levels. Numerous county and regional players in rugby, hockey, cricket, squash, athletics. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, eg canoeing, ballet, pottery, photography, computing, electronics, drama, modern languages, karate, chess.

Uniform: School uniform worn, some concessions in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and prefects appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Inter-denominational. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.

Minor offences usually result in a reprimand; detention used, and more serious offences (bullying, stealing, illegal drugs) result in suspension or expulsion.