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What it's like

Founded in 1525 by the Provost of Eton. It is in a small market town, the boarding houses scattered over a big rural site, in a superb setting in the Cumbrian hills. There are excellent modern facilities and comfortable accommodation. Founded as a boys' school, it began to accept girls in 2001 and is now fully co-educational. The junior school is at Low Bentham about 30 minutes drive away. A good all-round education is provided; the school aims to establish in pupils a delight in learning and independence and examination results are good. An emphasis on pastoral care encourages sociable, caring, well-mannered, healthy and energetic pupils. There is a strong music department (many pupils learn an instrument); also very good in drama and art. It has an outstanding record in sports and games with many county, regional and national representatives. Its environment allows many opportunities for outdoor activities including fell running, sailing, caving, climbing, game keeping and occasionally skiing. Frequent overseas expeditions and tours. The CCF is popular and covers a wide range of non-military activities. A big commitment to local community schemes (numerous charity events) and an excellent record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 4-18; 540 pupils, 75 day (50 boys, 25 girls), 465 boarding (345 boys, 120 girls). Senior department, 13-18, 445 boarding pupils (330 boys, 115 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 13 and 16. Common Entrance, and own scholarship exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (including sixth-form subjects). Good all-rounders looked for at entry; no religious requirements. Many senior pupils from own junior school at Low Bentham (tel 015242 61275, email hmsjs@sedberghjuniorschool.org).

Scholarships & bursaries

Large number of scholarships and exhibitions; value 10%-50% fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, music, art, drama, design technology. Means-tested bursaries also available. Parents are not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Christopher Hirst, in post from 1995. Educated at Merchant Taylors', Northwood, and Cambridge University (history). Previously Headmaster of Kelly College, and Housemaster at Radley. Involved in formulation of HMC policy for training and for sport. Teaching staff: 51 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 12%. Average age 40.

Exam results

GCSE: 99 pupils in Year 11: 98% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects (25% with A/A* in 8+ subjects). A-levels: 100 in upper sixth: 60% passed in 4+ subjects; 40% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 290.

Pupils' destinations

97% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (35% after a gap year), 7% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 41% in science and engineering, 52% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in art and design.

Curriculum

GCSE/IGCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS and A-level; in addition, critical thinking offered at AS/A-level. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses, supplemented with ICT courses. Special provision: for dyslexia and other needs. Languages: French, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Austria, Spain and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (to Year 11) and across the curriculum. 100+ computers for pupil use, all networked with access to email, internet and school intranet. Classrooms and boarding houses all on school network.

The arts

Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10+ musical groups including orchestras, string and brass groups, CCF marching band (popular and with international reputation), choral society (links with Cathedral with regular performances), informal singing groups, saxophone club, swing, jazz and rock bands. Drama: Many pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions, past pupils have gone onto eg RADA. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, football, swimming, tennis, fives, squash, athletics, cross-country, running, golf, basketball, badminton, table tennis, shooting, riding, sailing, climbing, fencing and caving. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory Year 9 (includes many non-military activities). Community service. Numerous clubs including science, literary, wine appreciation, ornithology.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout during school day. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school appointed by Headmaster; head of house and house prefects by housemaster/mistress. Religion: Church of England. Sunday chapel; daily assembly; evening house prayers. Confirmation services for Church of England, Church of Scotland and Roman Catholics. Social: Organised local events with other schools for all age groups: activities, debates, theatre, music, dances, roller skating, dinners, academic societies' lectures. Many organised trips abroad: recent expeditions to Patagonia, Sahara, Iceland, Everest; skiing (France, Italy); cricket (Holland, West Indies, Sri Lanka); rugby (South Africa, New Zealand); hockey (Spain); Chapel choir (Belgium, Germany); CCF band (Bahamas) exchanges with schools in Germany (sixth form), France and Austria. Meals formal, in houses. School shops (games equipment, stationery, tuck); upper-sixth bar.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework report to housemaster or housemistress; those caught with drugs on the premises should expect expulsion.

Boarding

Sixth and fifth forms have own rooms, lower years share. Houses of approximately 55. Resident qualified nurse and full-time school doctor. Half-term and individual exeats. Visits to the local town allowed daily.

Association of former pupils

Old Sedberghian Club, run by The Secretary, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Sir Thomas Bingham (Lord Chief Justice); Sir Christopher Bland (former BBC Chairman); Will Carling (Captain England rugby); Joe Paley (BBC reporter); Sir Robert Rhodes-James (MP and author); Admiral Sir Jock Slater (First Sea Lord); Roger Vignoles (pianist); Adam Rickett (pop star); Simon Beaufoy (film director/writer and Oscar winner), Robert Swann (explorer); James Wilby (actor); Andrew Ratcliffe (artist); Will Greenwood, James Simpson-Daniel (England rugby).