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What it's like

Founded in 1512, it moved to its present site on the edge of the village in 1869 where it is in a beautiful position overlooking the Ribble Valley in the Yorkshire Dales and within convenient distance of Manchester, Leeds, Bradford and the Lakes. It has handsome buildings and the boarding accommodation has been refurbished and all rooms linked to the school's ICT network. A recent development programme includes refurbished science laboratories, floodlit synthetic hockey pitch, library and information centre. The junior department is on an adjacent site so that continuous education is available from 3-18. Originally a boys' school, it first accepted girls in 1977 and became fully co-educational in 1983. The school prides itself on its happy atmosphere and offers an excellent all-round education. Examination results are good and the staff:pupil ratio is a favourable 1:7. Much importance is attached to personal courtesy and the school aims to develop the whole person whilst having proper regard for the importance of helping all pupils to achieve their best personal academic potential. There is a strong careers service. There is a considerable strength in music, drama and art and also in a variety of sports, games and outdoor pursuits. The school enjoys a good deal of success in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 480 pupils, 225 day (130 boys, 95 girls), 255 boarding (170 boys, 85 girls). Senior department 11-18; 400 pupils (240 boys, 160 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own exam (at 11), Common Entrance (at 13), interviews and other methods used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B. Anglican foundation but other faiths and convictions welcomed. 10+% senior pupils from state schools, many from own junior school (enquiries to tel 01729 893100, email juniorschool@giggleswick.org.uk).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships for academic, general distinction, sport, art/design, drama and music. Also forces bursaries. Fees include textbooks, stationery, art, CDT and home economics materials, compulsory GCSE visits etc.

Parents

Most from Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Cumbria; up to 18% ex-pats; 15% overseas nationals

Head & staff

Headmaster: Geoffrey Boult, appointed 2001. Educated at St Edward's, Oxford, and Durham University. Previously Housemaster at St Edward's, Oxford, Head of Geography at Cranleigh and taught at Canford and Geelong Grammar School, Australia. Also Secretary to Oxford Conference in Education; Dorset county hockey player; member of Cryptics and Pedagogues. Teaching staff: 61 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.

Exam results

GCSE: 60 pupils in Year 11: 82% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 14% in 6-7 subjects. A-levels: 70 in upper sixth: 88% passed in 3+ subjects, with an average final point score of 358.

Pupils' destinations

98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 25% take courses in science and engineering, 62% in arts, humanities and social sciences, 13% in art and design.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS-level subjects, 21 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; good range of subjects taken. 22% take science A-levels; 27% arts/humanities; 51% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some special coaching for dyslexics and foreign pupils. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use (15 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. 70-80% of pupils own computers, which are connected to school network from their study/bedrooms.

The arts

Music: 33% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Drama and dance: Drama timetabled subject Years 7-9. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Recent productions A Servant to Two Masters, Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, rugby, athletics, rounders, tennis, cricket compulsory for younger pupils. Optional: cross country running, soccer, golf, badminton, basketball, fencing, shooting, fell running, squash, volleyball, fives, swimming, golf. A-level PE offered. National and county representation in cricket, athletics, hockey and cross country. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 14 (Army, Marines and RAF sections). Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg debating society, fencing, car maintenance.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Pastoral/competitive houses. Head of school and deputy appointed by Headmaster; head of houses and house prefects, appointed by senior house staff. Religion: Church of England. House prayers, morning services and chapel services on Sunday are compulsory. Social: Trips abroad include sports tours (eg rugby and hockey to Australia), music (eg concert band trip to Spain), drama and cultural interest; foreign language visits to stay with families. Sixth-form centre has facilities for debates, balls, discos, reading rooms and a bar where strictly limited amounts of beer and wine are served with parents' permission and under staff supervision.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce prep once might expect extra work; anyone found in possession of drugs would be expelled.

Boarding

50% have own study bedroom, others in doubles or small study dormitories of 3 or 4. Single-sex houses of 50-60. Resident SRN matron with a qualified assistant; doctor visits 4-5 times a week. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. 2 weekend exeats each term and half-term. Visits to local market town of Settle allowed at set times.

Association of former pupils

is run by OG Liaison Officer, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Judges Christopher Oddie and Roger Hunt, Sir Douglas Glover (Conservative MP), Sir Anthony Wilson (Chief Accountancy Adviser, HM Treasury); Richard Whiteley (Countdown presenter); Keith Duckworth (engineer, joint founder of Cosworth Engineering); Stephen Ware (ex-President RCVS).