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What it's like

Founded in 1344, it moved to its present urban site in 1890. Girls were first admitted in 1975 and it is now fully co-educational. It is set in 11 acres, approximately a mile from the city centre, with 40 acres of playing fields nearby. During the last 30 years, the facilities have been modernised to include new science labs, a sports hall, astroturf pitches, swimming pool, theatre and digital language laboratory. There is a separate junior school, and a study centre in Normandy. The school has its own weather centre, recognised by the Met Office. Although built on a Christian foundation, it is non-denominational and welcomes pupils of all beliefs. Academically strong, its examination results are very good. Drama is a key strength, as is debating in which the school regularly competes on a national level. It is very good at sport, with much success at county and regional level in cricket, hockey, netball and rugby. There is keen participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, and it has its own CCF, including army and RAF units. There is a vigorous programme of community service and charity fundraising.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 11-18, 850 day pupils (435 boys, 415 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 60% of senior intake from state schools; 35+% from Bablake Junior School.

Scholarships & bursaries

Academic and music scholarships offered at 11, 13 and 16; also for maths, English and art at 11 and for sports at 16. Bursaries for pupils entering at 11 and 16. Some 30% of pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. Parents not expected to buy textbooks. No charge made for public examinations (except for resits) or learning support.

Head & staff

Headmaster: John Watson, appointed 2006. Educated at Caterham and Oxford University (classics and modern languages). Previously Deputy Headmaster of Trinity School, Croydon, Head of Languages at Millfield and Head of French at Sevenoaks. Teaching staff: 87 full time staff, 12 part time. Annual turnover 6%.

Exam results

GCSE: 120 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 131 in upper sixth, all passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of 330.

Pupils' destinations

98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (12% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 3% in law, 32% in humanities and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 2% in other vocational subjects such as nursing and pharmacy, 25% in other subjects including business, computing, languages. A small minority go straight in to employment.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 AS-level subjects, 23 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; some take the extended project qualification. 45% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 20% both. All sixth formers take an enrichment studies course. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Own learning support department. Languages: French and German offered to GCSE and A-level; also Spanish to GCSE; lunchtime Mandarin and Russian. Regular exchanges or visits to France and Germany. All Year 8 pupils spend a week in a manoir in Normandy, owned by the school. ICT: Whole school network of 450 PCs, with email and internet access. Numerous multi-media projectors and interactive whiteboards.

The arts

Music: Over 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, string and wind bands, choirs, brass groups. Regular tours to Europe and further afield. Drama and dance: both offered; pupils involved either in school or in-house productions. School production in Edinburgh Festival for last 23 years; pupils take leading parts in local amateur dramatics and in Coventry Youth Operetta. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design and textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby and cricket compulsory for boys, hockey, netball and rounders for girls. Optional: hockey, cross-country, athletics, tennis, rounders. Fifth and sixth form only: golf, squash, basketball, aerobics, self-defence, shooting, badminton, swimming. RLSS, ASA and National Pool Lifeguard exams may be taken. Regular winners of regional sports competitions; recent national success in girls' hockey and netball; frequent county, regional and national individual representation. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, including Amnesty International, canoeing, trampolining, railway, chess, Christian Union.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses, but stress on teamwork across year groups. Prefects, school captains and senior prefects - appointments involve both Head and pupils. School Council. Religion: Non-denominational school, attendance at assembly compulsory. Social: Organised visits and exchanges to France and Germany; annual ski trip to Europe or the USA; annual rugby tour or girls' hockey and netball tours (Australia, South Africa), boys' hockey tour; geography, art, economics/business studies, classics (Iceland, Turkey, China). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop.

Discipline

Code of conduct and discipline and behaviour policy (devised after consultation with staff, parents and pupils) aims to ensure that all school members can learn in a caring, well-ordered environment and that all pupils contribute to the school's good name both in the local community and outside the area.

Association of former pupils

is run by P F Burden, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Nick Skelton (show jumper); Sir John Egan (Chairman Severn Trent); Shane Geraghty (International rugby player); Sir Philip Otton QC; Courtenay Griffiths QC; Melissa Kite (deputy political editor, Sunday Telegraph); Helen Keays (Director, Vodaphone UK); Melissa Walton (actress); Martine Croxall (newsreader); Gary Hoffman (Chief Executive, Northern Rock).