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What it's like

Founded in 1843 as a school for the Sons of Clergy of the Church of England, it has a delightful setting on the edge of an agreeable market town. The Marlborough Downs lie to the north, Savernake Forest to the east, and the Kennet runs through the school grounds. Its elegant buildings lie amidst fine lawns and gardens, with large playing fields adjoining them. All facilities are of a high standard. It pioneered the admission of girls into the sixth form in 1968, and became fully co-educational in 1989. In line with the terms of its foundation, there is a good deal of emphasis on Anglican worship and instruction and some services are compulsory. A large staff allows a staff:pupil ratio of nearly 1:7. Academic standards are high and examination results consistently very good. The IB is offered as an alternative to the traditional sixth-form curriculum. Tremendously strong involvement in music (over 400 pupils learn an instrument). Also very strong in art and drama (over 15 dramatic productions a year). There are 34 sports and games on offer and an outstanding record in these, with county and national representatives. An excellent range of extra-curricular activities - some 30 clubs and societies cater for virtually everyone's interests. A flourishing CCF contingent and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is also run; substantial commitment to local community schemes. There is splendid provision for outdoor activities.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 13-18; 872 pupils, 32 day (16 boys, 16 girls), 840 boarding (530 boys, 310 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Own assessment in Year 7 (1½ years before entry), Common Entrance used for setting purposes. Own exam for sixth form entrance and usually GCSE grade A in sixth form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements but is an Anglican foundation. Pupils come from a wide range of schools.

Scholarships & bursaries

Up to 55 pa scholarships, value 10% fees (plus bursary support if necessary): 22 academic, others for art, music, sports and all-rounder (22 at 13, 11 at 16). Approx 4 means-tested bursaries to children of talent, clergy reductions. Parents expected to buy textbooks; average extras £400 per term.

Head & staff

Master: Nicholas A Sampson appointed 2004. Educated at Howard School, and at Cambridge University (English) and Westminster College Oxford (PGCE). Previously Principal of Geelong Grammar School, Australia, Headmaster of Sutton Valence and Housemaster and Master i/c of Sixth Form at Wells Cathedral School. Teaching staff: 120 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 38.

Exam results

GCSE: 160 pupils in upper fifth: 100% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 193 in upper sixth: 17% passed in 4+ subjects; 83% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 345.

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course or art foundation course (82% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 4% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 23% in science and engineering, 58% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 3% in vocational subjects such as land management, 9% in business or management.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS/A-levels, Pre-U and IB. 18 GCSE subjects, 26 AS-level, 24 A-level (including design, theatre studies and business studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at A-level/Pre-U. Key skills addressed in academic and extra-curricular programme. Vocational: Work experience promoted. Special provision: Individual remedial help with mild dyslexia; ESL offred. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level; also Italian GCSE in the sixth form; Arabic, Chinese and Japanese courses. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). Pupils come from most European countries for 1+ years. Periodic talks by MEP. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject throughout the school and across the curriculum. 400 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access. Many boarders have their own laptops.

The arts

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include at least 8 orchestras, bands and choral groups plus innumerable jazz and pop groups. Tradition of choral and organ scholarships to Oxbridge. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered. All pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Cricket, hockey, rugby compulsory for boys; athletics, hockey, netball, tennis for girls. Optional: 29 other sports and games. Regular national and many county representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF/outdoor activities compulsory for 1 term at age 14, optional thereafter. Community service optional. Over 30 societies, including Arabic, philosophy, law, natural history, psychology, social anthropology.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress regulations in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects and head boy/girl appointed by the Master, head of house and house prefects by housemasters/mistresses. Religion: Church of England. Religious worship encouraged. 3 compulsory services weekly in first year, some each term thereafter. Social: Social centre, The Marlburian; links with Third World projects. A number of trips abroad and exchanges (eg France, Germany, Spain, Ukraine). Meals self-service. School shop. Supervised house bars and social programmes arranged at weekends.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework automatically earn extra work; expulsion for sexual misconduct or repeated infringements of disciplinary code.

Boarding

About 400 have own study bedroom, 150 share with 1 other, 250 are in small dormitories. Houses of about 60 (most single-sex; some for boys and 10 sixth-form girls). Qualified nurses in sanatorium; doctors local. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own supplementary food. 2 weekend exeats each term plus half-term. Afternoon visits into town allowed.

Association of former pupils

is run by Martin Evans, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Sir John Betjeman, Siegfried Sassoon, Louis MacNeice (poets); Norris McWhirter (founder of the Guinness Book of Records); Peter Brooke (artist); Lord Hunt (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords); Norman Del Mar (conductor); Sir Nicholas Goodison (financier); Julian Pettifer (presenter); Chris De Burgh (singer/songwriter); Christopher Martin-Jenkins (cricket correspondent); Sir Peter Medawar (Nobel Prize for Medicine); Lord Butler (former Head of the Civil Service).