Founded in 1502, the school is situated in rolling Cheshire countryside on the edge of the Peak District. Originally a boys' school, it accepted girls into the sixth form in 1986 and in 1993 throughout the school. The junior school and the sixth form are now fully co-educational, with senior boys and girls taught separately between the ages of 11 and 16. The four separate divisions are on two sites: boys and the sixth form at Cumberland Street; girls and the juniors at Fence Avenue. Each division provides a small school environment. The school lays considerable emphasis on encouraging pupils to develop confidence in their own judgement and to develop their own particular interests to the full within a broad and balanced curriculum. In a secure and supportive environment, the active involvement of parents is much encouraged. Academic standards are high and examination results are good. It is very strong in music, drama, art and sport. There is a wide range of outdoor activities, clubs and societies and a substantial commitment to local community schemes.

Pupils: Total age range 3-18, 1454 day pupils (824 boys, 630 girls). Senior department 11-18, 1089 pupils (617 boys, 472 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3-11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam; for sixth-form entry, 6 good GCSEs (usually 4 at grade A, 2 grade B minimum). Welcomes all talents; no religious requirements. 40%-50% of senior intake from state schools (at 11 and 16); 40% from own junior department.

10 pa scholarships, value 50-1000: academic and music, awarded at different ages. Some bursaries at 11 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; few extras.

Headmaster: S Coyne, appointed in 2000. Educated at the universities of Liverpool and Manchester (chemistry and polymer science). Previously taught at Whitgift, Manchester Grammar, Merchant Taylors' Crosby and Arnold schools. Also ISI inspector. Teaching staff: 111 full time, 12 part time. Annual turnover 8%.

GCSE: 155 pupils in Year 11: 97% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. Average GCSE score 60 (59 over 5 years). A-levels: 120 in upper sixth: 84% passed in 4+ subjects; 13% in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 362.

99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (18% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 28% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 4% in art and design, 59% in arts, social sciences and other subjects eg business studies, drama. Others typically go on to other training courses.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS-level general studies. Special provision: Gifted and talented register. Limited tuition for dyslexic pupils in early years. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchange to Germany (Memmingen) and France (La Rochelle). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and used across the curriculum, eg data-logging, research. 200 computers for pupil use, all networked and all with email and internet access. Senior pupils take ECDL.

Music: Some 400 pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choir, chamber orchestra, wind band, orchestra, jazz band, pop group. Occasional pupils accepted for music college. Winners of BBC Songs of Praise school choir 2003. Drama: On average 40 take GCSE theatre arts; A-level also offered. Many pupils involved in 3 annual school productions, one of which is a musical. Art and design: On average 50 take GCSE, 12 take A-level art and design. Pupils regularly go on to art colleges and study art at universities.

Sport: Football, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, cross-country, orienteering, swimming, badminton, squash, table tennis, sailing, hill walking, rock climbing, caving, abseiling, basketball, netball, canoeing. Many county and national representative honours won annually by individuals and teams; national orienteering champions (U13). Activities: Optional community service in the sixth form. Computer, chess, ornithology, railways, outdoor activities, debating, aviation, Christian Union, young scientists, flower arranging, school newspapers.

Uniform: School uniform worn; formal dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system. Prefects and Head boy/girl appointed in junior school and senior divisions. Religion: Church of England worship encouraged but all faiths welcomed. Social: No organised events with local schools. Several foreign trips and exchanges a year across all age groups (co-educational). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop (for stationery and school uniform).

High standard of conduct expected and maintained. Good behaviour encouraged through merit award system. Regular weekly detention after school. Suspension for most serious breaches of school discipline. Those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would probably expect expulsion.

is run by A McInnes, c/o the school.

Alan Beith MP; Christian Blackshaw (pianist); C N Booth (Director, Oxford Brookes University); Michael Jackson (Controller Channel 4); Steve Smith (rugby international); Graham Turner (journalist); Prof Sir Edward Wrigley (Master, Corpus Christi, Cambridge); Peter Moores (England cricket coach/manager).