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What it's like

Founded in 1890 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It is situated close to Reading town centre, but enjoys a most peaceful environment of over 60 acres of lovely wooded parkland. Some of the well-designed school buildings are 19th, some 20th century; facilities are excellent, including a science and technology centre, drama studio, well-equipped ICT suites, concert hall, floodlit all-weather pitch and covered swimming pool. The school is fully co-educational; girls were accepted throughout the school from 1993, after many years in the sixth form. It is a community of many faiths and pupils come from all over the world. The school environment, founded on Quaker philosophy, stresses mutual respect, understanding, tolerance and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. From 2009, the International Baccalaureate is offered as an alternative to AS and A-levels. All pupils have the chance to visit or exchange partner schools in Nantes and Hamburg. Strong in music, drama and art. High level of achievement in sports and games (including representatives at county and national standard). Much emphasis on outdoor pursuits and adventure training. There is a commitment to local community services; a very wide range of activities and hobby interests after school, so pupils can enjoy developing new skills.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18: 490 pupils, 336 day (225 boys, 109 girls), 154 boarding (91 boys, 63 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, plus school report, reference and interview. Strong intake from both prep and maintained schools.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships (academic, music, art, sport, design), value approx 10% of day fees; offered at ages 11,13 and 16 to new and existing pupils and usually last for the pupil's time at the school. Some means-tested bursaries available in cases of financial hardship.

Head & staff

Head: John Dunston, appointed in 1996. Educated at John Lyon School, and the universities of Cambridge (modern languages) and York. Previously Head of Sibford. Churchill Fellow, spent some time training choirs in schools in mainland China. Also FRSA, Associate of Institute of Linguists; Chairman of SHA, of SHMIS (1999) and of its Education Committee; Reporting Inspector for ISI. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 10 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 94 pupils in Year 11: 97% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (average of 9.6 subjects). A-levels: 58 in upper sixth; 99% passed in 3+ subjects.

Pupils' destinations

Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year). 12% take courses in medicine, science and engineering, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 37% in vocational or business management courses.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels, IB Diploma. 23 exam subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; additional subjects taught with optional exam eg Mandarin, science for public understanding, film studies, further maths. Some A-levels, eg psychology, available by distance learning. IB an alternative from 2009. Vocational: Work experience for all Year 10 and sixth form. Special provision: Individual learning centre and EAL. Languages: French, German and Chinese offered to GCSE and A-level, Latin and Spanish to GCSE; also Russian GCSE and A-level (by arrangement). Regular exchanges (France and Germany) ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg research and design. Computers in ICT suites and wireless broadband across the campus; electronic whiteboards in most departments. Many boarders have their own PCs/laptops.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including jazz bands, big band, brass and woodwind ensembles, choirs, orachestra, rock bands, samba band. Choir and orchestra tour to eg Sweden and Denmark. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and some in house/other productions eg West Side Story. Current and former students have starred in film/TV/theatre productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered. Students regularly go on to art college.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, soccer, tennis, athletics, swimming compulsory to age 14. Additional options from 15: badminton, basketball etc. Regional hockey, netball and rugby players; county hockey, cricket and rugby players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. High awareness of charitable and environmental issues. Over 50 clubs including Young Enterprise.

School life

Uniform: School dress code followed throughout. Houses and prefects: Houses competitive (for sport, music, panto and quizzes for charity). Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Head in consultation with staff and school. School council. Religion: Worship (from daily Collect, to monthly Meeting) features periods on silence, based on Quaker practice. Social: Regular conferences at sixth-form level with other schools. Exchanges and trips abroad including major bi-annual sixth-form trip (eg to Russia) sports tours (eg Hong Kong, Ireland, South Africa); art trips (Paris, Barcelona). Flexible start and end times depending on family schedules; options for breakfast, hobbies, tea and prep. Meals formal for pupils and staff. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils expected to show self-discipline, respect for each other and staff, and high standards of behaviour and courtesy. Sanctions available include detention, gating, loss of privileges or (for very serious offences) suspension or exclusion.

Boarding

Most sixth form have own study bedrooms, younger pupils mostly in rooms of 3-4. Houses of approximately 80-90 (including day pupils). Resident qualified medical staff. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Weekly and flexi-boarding an option. Visits to the local town allowed, depending on age.

Former pupils

Michael Foot (former Labour party leader); Sir David Lean (film director): Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (composer); Lawrence Gowing (artist and teacher); Lord Caradon (UK ambassador to UN); Bishop Newbigin; Peter Cadbury (entrepreneur and TV company director); Karel Reisz (filmmaker); Tony Baldry MP; Basil Bunting (poet); Lord Seebohm (banker and social work innovator); Jim Broadbent (actor); Nathaniel Parker (actor); Quentin Davies MP; Robin Denselow (BBC reporter); Stuart Zender (musician).