Established at Ampleforth in 1802, the school adjoins the Benedictine monastery and abbey of St Laurence in a stretch of magnificent Yorkshire countryside, close to York. The monastic community descended from the monks who, in 1608, founded a monastery at Dieulouard in Lorraine. The Headmaster and some of the teaching staff are monks. The main purpose is to educate Catholics in their faith and in all branches of learning. Founded as a boys' school, it is now co-eductional: girls were admitted into the sixth form in 2000 and at age 13 in 2004. The boarding houses are scattered over a big site and provide comfortable accommodation. Much has been spent on improving facilities in recent years. A sound education is given and examination results are very good. An unusually strong music staff; musical activities play a major role in the life of the school. Games and outdoor pursuits are very popular and standards are high. As a Catholic school, discipline is firm but is exercised in the context of a strongly supportive community. The partner prep school, St Martin's Ampleforth, is at Gilling Castle two miles from the college.
Pupils: Age range 13-18, 626 pupils; 100 day (61 boys, 39 girls), 526 boarding (394 boys, 132 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B. No special skills required. Pupils are normally (but not exclusively) Roman Catholic. About 35% of intake from own prep (enquiries to the Headmaster, St Martin's Ampleforth, Gilling, York YO62 4HP, Tel 01439 766600, Email headmaster@stmartins.ampleforth.org.uk).
12-23 pa academic scholarships plus some for music and all-rounders, value 5%-20% fees: most awarded at 13, some at 11 and 16. Variable number of bursaries.
Headmaster: The Reverend Gabriel Everitt, OSB, in post from 2004. Educated at Dundee High School and at the universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. Previously Housemaster and Head of Christian Theology‚ at Ampleforth.
GCSE: On average 110 in Year 11; 99% gain at least grade C in 5 subjects. A-levels: 115 in upper sixth. 10% pass in 4 subjects; 79% in 3 subjects (average 3.1 subjects).
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (45% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 20% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 20% in other subjects. Others typically go on to other courses or into employment.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 subjects to AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies not taught. 35% take science or maths A-levels; 40% take arts/humanities; 25% a mixture. Key skills are integrated into sixth form teaching. Vocational: Holiday work experience programme. Special provision: for eg mild handicap, learning difficulties and EFL. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin, classical Greek to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain, including term-time exchanges for Year 10 and sixth-form linguists. Initiatives underway with schools in France, Russia and Eastern Europe. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils (most sixth formers) have own laptops.
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including orchestra, Schola Cantorum, singers, string, brass, wind ensembles. Organ and choral scholars to Oxbridge, and conservatoires. Drama: Theatre studies offered as exam subject. Many pupils are involved in school productions. 3 former pupils to National Youth Theatre, 1 to Bristol Old Vic School, 1 to Central School. Art and design: On average, 30% take GCSE, 12% A-level. Design, sculpture, photography, CDT also offered.
Sport: Compulsory, but choice from rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, squash, swimming, tennis, badminton, golf, basketball, fencing, athletics, soccer, cross-country, rounders, lacrosse, horse-riding. BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. Rugby county representatives and England and Irish internationals. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. D of E community care programme; strong Cheshire Homes and hospital links. Red Cross, First-Aid exams may be taken. 35+ clubs, eg natural history, karate, bridge, public speaking, chess, Red Cross, photography, golf.
Uniform: None but dress regulations (jacket for all, tie for boys, suit on Sundays). Houses and prefects: House competition on some levels. Head boy, head girl and school prefects appointed by the Headmaster; head of house and house monitors, by housemasters or housemistresses. Religion: The Roman Catholic liturgy is integral to the life of the school. Social: Theatrical and choral productions and debates with other schools. Regular exchanges with schools in France. Schola tours; skiing, climbing etc abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Some meals formal. School shop and Abbey shop.
The aim is to foster sound personal development, self-discipline and social responsibility. Firm and compassionate responses to breaches of good conduct. All punishments are dependent on circumstances. Minor breaches of academic discipline may be dealt with by detentions, extra work or by placing individuals on special reports. Other misbehaviour may result in the imposition of minor manual labour, fines or withdrawal of privileges; serious offences may lead to suspension. The school has clearly stated and firm policies on eg bullying, drugs and alcohol. The purpose is reform, to help individuals take responsibility for themselves and for their relationship with their community.
All sixth form have own study bedroom; Years 10-11 share (2 to a room); Year 9 in small dormitories of 4-6. 10 houses of 65-70, all single-sex. Local doctor and resident nursing staff. Sixth form can provide and cook some own food. 1 weekend exeat in the autumn term and half-term in the autumn and Lent term. Visits to local towns allowed.
is run by The Secretary, The Ampleforth Society, c/o the school
Lawrence Dallaglio (rugby player), William Dalrymple (historian and writer), John Micklethwait (Editor-in-chief, The Economist), Edward Stourton (journalist), Michael Ancram (Conservative politician), Cardinal Basil Hume (Archbishop of Westminster).
|
