Founded as a prep school in 1933, it admitted the first boys to the senior school in 1959. It is now in the process of becoming co-educational: girls are admitted to the sixth form from 2008, at other ages from 2010. Set in 500 acres of parkland, many of the staff live in houses on the estate so that, as far as possible, monks, staff and students form one community. It is a community which offers each pupil a high level of pastoral care, traditional values, and a modern education. Recent developments include a purpose-built upper-sixth house with sixth-form centre, upgrading boarding facilities and refurbished science laboratories and art department. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. The International Baccalaureate is offered alongside AS and A-levels. It is also very strong in voluntary service, music and drama. There is a wide range of sports and games and an excellent variety of clubs and societies which cater for most extra-curricular activities.

Pupils: Age range 11-18; 440 boys (148 day, 292 boarding) - girls admitted to the sixth form from 2008 and all through the school from 2010. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own assessment used. A Catholic school but Christians of other denominations welcome.

15-20 pa scholarships, value up to 40% of fees: some academic, some music (awarded at age 11 and 13). Parents expected to buy A-level textbooks; 500 maximum extras.

60+% live within 30 miles; 20+% live overseas.

Headmaster: Gino Carminati, appointed in 2007. Educated at St Aloysius College, Highgate, and at Bedford College, University of London. Previously Head Master of Kent College Canterbury and of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Faversham, Deputy Head at King Edward VI School, Chelmsford and Head of Sixth Form at Sir Roger Manwood's School, Sandwich. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 13 part time. Annual turnover 5+%. Average age 34.

GCSE: 69 pupils in fifth form: 96% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 50. A-levels/IB: 75 in upper sixth: 58 taking A-levels, most passing in 3 subjects with an average final point score of 330; 17 taking IB, with average IB score of 33 out of 45.

Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 22% take courses in science and engineering, 28% in humanities and social sciences, 21% in arts, 38% in business, management and economics.

GCSE, AS and A-levels and IB.à 22 GCSE subjects, 20-21 AS/A-level, 17 IB subjects (including theatre studies and physical education). 3 AS-levels taught by distance learning. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 19% take science/maths A-levels; 46% arts/humanities; 34% take combinations. Key skills compulsory; all 3 integrated into Year 12 general studies course. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Dyslexia and general special needs support. Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (to Belgium, France and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete course and embedded in teaching and learning across the curriculum. 115 computers for pupil use (12+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken. Music is popular; some 12 musical groups, including string, brass and woodwind groups, orchestra, choral society and informal pop groups; annual house music competition. Choir involved in touring and recording as well as the Abbey Church. Parents and locals join Choral Society in eg Requiems (FaurZ and Gounod) and St Cecelia's Mass. Orchestra performs regularly; 2 concerts a year by Worth Abbey Community Orchestra. Drama: Flourishing drama with up to 6 productions a year; drama tours.à Art and design: On average, 8 take GCSE, 4 A-level. Pottery and sculpture also offered.

Sport: Rugby, soccer, cross-country, cricket, tennis, fencing, squash, athletics are main sports. Optional: golf, badminton, clay pigeon shooting, basketball, swimming, volleyball. Over 20 boys each year represent the county in various sports. Activities: 80+ boys take part in community service. Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Clubs include world cinema, cookery, chess, debating, motor maintenance.

Uniform: School uniform worn to Year 11; suit in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (3 boarding, 2 day, 1 both). Upper sixth prefect team, appointed by Headmaster and housemasters after application and interview. Religion: Roman Catholic. Thursday worship, Sunday Mass (if at school), daily prayers by house. Social: Plays and music with girls' schools, debates, choral society, sixth-form dances. Trips abroad include language exchanges, trip to First World War battlefields, sixth-form history trips; also drama tour (eg to USA), choir tours (eg Germany, Poland). Meals self-service. School shop.

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises are likely to be expelled.

is run by Mrs McMenemy, c/o the school.