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What it's like

Founded in 1842, originally for the sons of missionaries, it occupies a single suburban site of 42 acres, in handsome buildings (originally the mansion of Lord Bathurst). It remains loyal to its Christian foundation. Girls have been admitted to the sixth form since 1978. Excellent all-round facilities are provided; there is a fine sports centre, a new library and, most recently, a music school. The junior school is attached and has recently been refurbished; over 80% of its pupils move on to the senior school. Examination results are very good and a high proportion of leavers go to Oxbridge. Very strong indeed in musical activities, travel and in drama (there is a fine performing-arts centre). Standards in sports and games are high and there are national and regional representatives in many sports. There is a substantial commitment to local community service and a wide range of clubs and societies.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 830 day pupils (770 boys, 60 girls). Junior department 7-11, 210 boys. Senior department 11-18, 620 pupils (560 boys, 60 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. All special skills welcome; no religious requirements but Christian (non-denominational) foundation emphasised. 40% of main intake at 11 from state schools, plus 35% new entrants to sixth form.

Scholarships & bursaries

Up to 35 pa scholarships awarded on entry at 11, 13 and 16 (academic, music and sport), value 25%-50% of fees. Means-tested bursaries also available. Over 30% of senior pupils receive some sort of financial assistance.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Paul Henderson, in post from 2000. Educated at The Leys and at the universities of Nottingham (classics) and Cambridge (education). Previously Second Master at St Albans, Director of Studies at Norwich and teacher at Colchester RGS. Also member of MCC. Teaching staff: 61 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 33.

Exam results

GCSE: 77 pupils in Year 11, 96% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 98 pupils in upper sixth, 10% passing in 4 subjects, 89% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 392.

Pupils' destinations

97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 9% in law, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in art and design, 17% in other subjects eg pharmacology, architecture, music, education, business. A few go straight in to employment.

Curriculum

GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects (including geology, design and technology, computer science, government and politics, drama). Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level (liberal studies, community service, games taken by all). Languages: French, Spanish and German offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; Russian at GCSE; also Mandarin for Year 7. Many languages through media resources centre. Regular exchanges and cultural trips (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (in Year 7 leading to ECDL and GCSE) and across the curriculum, eg English, biology, physics, geography, business studies. 400+ computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument (free tuition for all Years 4-6); instrumental exams can be taken. Over 25 musical groups including symphony orchestra, community orchestra, 2 string orchestras, woodwind ensembles, brass ensemble, 3 jazz bands, 5 choirs, choral society, close harmony group, concert band, percussion ensembles and chamber groups. Several winners in Beckenham Festival; many members of district youth orchestras and ensembles and National Youth Orchestra and Choir; many enrolled at Junior Conservatoires; number of Oxbridge choral awards; performances with eg English National Opera, Berlin Philharmoniker, West End music theatre productions. Choir tours (Italy 2010). Drama: Drama offered, and GCSE, AS and A-level exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in various productions; recently included The Insect Play, Henry V and Oliver! (taken to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, printing, photography also offered. Full-time artist in residence; 6 pa exhibitions of work by local artists and pupils. Many pupils go on to study art, design and architecture.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, swimming compulsory. Optional: football, tennis, netball, badminton, basketball, judo (juniors only), fencing, tai chi, table tennis, sailing, softball. International representatives at cricket, hockey, rugby; regional representatives at athletics, tennis, swimming, cricket, rugby, hockey; centre of excellence for cricket. Sports tours overseas. Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (100 in scheme). Community service compulsory for 1 year at age 16: old people's homes, schools, hospitals etc. Up to 30 clubs, eg design and technology, life-drawing, chess, debating, maths, drama, Japanese, classics, charities

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, form prefects, head of house and house prefects, elected by the school, appointed by the Headmaster. School council. Religion: Non-denominational. Daily chapel compulsory. Social: Debates, conferences, dances, discos regularly shared with other local schools. 6 partner schools in France, Germany, Spain, Australia, China, South Africa (some 120 exchanges annually); expeditions abroad (eg to Galapagos Islands); art trips to a foreign city (A-level) or Tuscany (GCSE); sports tours eg rugby and cricket (Australia), hockey and netball (South Africa). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals formal.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect either a 40-minute detention or a double homework; those engaged in any drug-connected activities could expect expulsion. Constant contact between school and home actively encouraged and practised.

Association of former pupils

The Old Elthamians Association, contact via the Development Office on 020 8851 9840 or visit www.elthamians.net

Former pupils

George Band (Everest explorer); Nick Ferrari, Martin Shankleman (broadcasters); Barnaby Lennon (Headmaster at Harrow); Eric Liddell (Olympic athlete); Jim Knight MP; Major Phil Packer (Help for Heroes); Mervyn Peake (author); Ray and Trevor Powles (consultant oncologists); Andrew Sentance (Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee); Stephen Smith (rugby international).