Add to clipboard

What it's like

Founded in 1880 by Cornish Methodists, it stands on a fine 50-acre site overlooking the cathedral and the Fal estuary. It has strong roots in the county and is its only HMC school. Ample facilities include on-site playing fields, astro-turf pitch, sports halls and swimming pool, a pottery, drama centre and theatre. A Methodist school, aiming to ensure that Christian values permeate school life, it regards parents as partners in educating children, especially in the moral and spiritual components of school life. It is now fully co-educational, having admitted girls throughout the school since 1991. Examination results are very good. Music is strong (several recent prize winners at the Cornwall Music Festival). Sport is very successful: pupils are frequently in the national sailing squads and there are regular national, regional and county honours in a number of sports. A strong emphasis on outdoor education, making full use of the sea, cliffs and moorland of the West Country. Strong participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Ten Tors and Young Enterprise.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 849 pupils, 782 day (480 boys, 302 girls), 67 boarding (43 boys, 24 girls). Entrance:à Main entry ages 11 and 16. Own exam used; for sixth-form entry, minimum of 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special religious or other requirements. 70% of main intake from state schools (plus some to sixth form); 30% from own prep (enquiries to the Headmaster, Truro Prep School, tel 01872 272616).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships for about 10% pupils, value 10%-25% fees (occasionally more but means-tested): academic, art, music awarded at 11 and 16. Small number of school funded assisted places. Average extras 10-20 per term.

Parents

15% are doctors, lawyers etc; 15% self-employed or in the holiday industry. 60+% live within 30 miles, under 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Paul K Smith, in post from 2001. Educated at Aylesbury Grammar School and universities of Cambridge (geography) and Bath (educational management). Previously Headmaster of Oswestry and Deputy Head of Royal Grammar, Worcester. Also FRGS and FRSA. Teaching staff: 66 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 35.

Exam results

GCSE: 123 pupils in fifth form: 94% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 5% in 5-7 subjects. Average GCSE score 61. A-levels: 95 in upper sixth: 4% passed in 4+ subjects; 91% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 348.

University & college entrance

95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 32% take courses in science, engineering and medicine, 37% in humanities and social sciences, 11% in art and design, 21% in other courses eg vocational or combined subjects. Others typically go into the armed services or art foundation courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 GCSE subjects, 19 AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 30% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills: ICT taught as discrete unit (ECDL). Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Special needs unit with specialist part-time staff. Languages: French, German (both compulsory) and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges. ICT: Taught both across the curriculum and as a discrete subject. 170 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), majority networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 13 musical groups including brass, string and wind ensembles, chamber groups, choirs, jazz and wind orchestras, jazz singing, orchestra. Several recent prizewinners at Cornwall Music Festival. Drama: Drama offered; LAMDA exams may be taken. Many pupils involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Design and pottery also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, soccer or hockey, cricket compulsory for boys; netball, tennis, hockey for girls; athletics, swimming, gymnastics, badminton, basketball, netball, rounders, tennis for both boys and girls, at some stage. Optional: trampolining, squash, volleyball, rifle-shooting, cross-country, aerobics, climbing. GCSE and A-level PE, RLSS and RYA exams may be taken. County and regional honours every year in rugby, soccer, hockey, cricket, athletics, netball, swimming; pupils in national sailing squads (Optimist and Laser classes). Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (180 pupils involved). Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, eg Young Enterprise, chess, digital photography, war-gaming, dance.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; business dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by Head after wide consultation including with sixth form. Religion: Methodist. Social: French, German and Spanish exchange. Pupils may be allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Depending on the individual circumstances, pupils failing to produce homework once could expect a warning (detention if repeated); those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would lose their right to be in the school - possible readmission subject to random testing.

Former pupils

Roger Taylor (drummer in Queen), Robert Shaw (film actor), Nigel Terry (Shakespearean actor), Ben Ainslie (Olympic gold medallist, sailing, 2000 and 2004).