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What it's like

Founded in 1933 as a kindergarten and prep school. In response to parental demand, a senior school was opened in 1978. It rapidly grew from strength to strength, so that by 1995 (only ten years after the first cohort took A-levels), the Headmaster was elected to HMC. Both the main school and the junior school are on the western side of Hartford and there has been a massive investment in new buildings and facilities, most recently a new library and theatre with adjoining performing arts building. A friendly school, committed to co-education. The Christian religious influence on teaching and school life is intentional. The school aims to foster respect for learning and hard work, the development of the whole person, good discipline but also to be innovative preparing pupils for the world they will inherit. Academic standards are high and the development of the sixth form continues to be impressive. There are active music, drama and art departments. A good range of games and sports, with county representatives in athletics, rowing, netball, soccer and rugby. There are many extra-curricular activities including a large involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Charitable fund raising is a real feature.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 1170 day pupils (640 boys, 530 girls). Senior department 11-18, 700 pupils (350 boys, 350 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 7 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Many senior pupils from own junior. (enquiries to The Grange Junior School, Beechwood Avenue, Hartford, Cheshire CW8 3AU; Tel 01606 77447; email prep@grange.org.uk).

Scholarships & bursaries

Variable number of scholarships, value 10%-20% fees: usually 2 academic, 1 music (awarded at 11). Some bursaries; priority given to those in examination years.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Christopher Jeffery, in post from 2005. Educated at Bristol Grammar School and York University (history). Previously Deputy Head of the Perse School, House Master at Bristol Grammar School and taught history at St Peter's York. Also FRSA. Teaching staff: 81 full time, 12 part time (excluding peripatetics).

Exam results

GCSE: 96 pupils in Year 5: 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 94 in upper sixth, passing on average 3.9 subjects.

Pupils' destinations

97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (12% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 36% take courses in science and engineering, 58% in arts, humanities and social sciences (including law and business), and 6% in other vocational subjects (eg physiotherapy, occupational therapy).

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 AS/A-level subjects (including Latin). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take A-level general studies. 45% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 10% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular visits (France, Germany and Spain). Programme of lectures from outside. Sixth formers attend university and/or work experience abroad. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 250 computers for pupil use (open all day), all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take ECDL.

The arts

Music: Some 50% pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including choirs, orchestra, brass, woodwind, string, guitar, recorder groups, theory class etc. Pupils play in various youth orchestras and choirs and participate in music festivals. Drama: Drama offered. GCSE and A-level drama, ESB and Guildhall exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in annual school and house/other productions. Pupils successfully participate in drama festivals. Art and design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 29 A-level. Graphic design, textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Football, rugby, athletics, cricket, tennis, netball, rounders, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, rowing; games are compulsory until sixth form. Sixth form only: squash, golf, swimming. County athletes and hockey, netball, rugby and soccer players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional; visits to old people's homes, assistance to the elderly, fundraising for charitable institutions. Up to 40 clubs, eg bridge, photography, chess, debating, sports, literary, art, computing.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Student council, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster and staff. Religion: Christian. Regular religious worship. Social: Organised trips abroad. Sixth-form students allowed to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Clothing shop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once can expect a verbal reprimand; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on the premises should expect expulsion. Clear sanctions policy, ranging from lunchtime work (eg for repeatedly failing to produce homework), through after-school and Saturday detentions, to suspension (for serious indiscipline) and expulsion.