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What it's like

Founded and endowed in 1604 at the sole charge of the estate of Peter Blundell, clothier of Tiverton, by Sir John Popham. In 1882 it moved to the outskirts of Tiverton, to occupy an estate of 80 acres with beautiful gardens, playing fields and other grounds. Its well-equipped buildings provide good facilities and comfortable accommodation. The school maintains a Christian tradition and Anglican practice; all pupils are expected to attend weekday morning chapel and the school service on Sundays. Founded as a boys' school, it first accepted girls to the sixth form in 1976 and became fully co-educational in 1993. There is a large sixth form and a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:11. Academic standards are high and examination results good. The school has always been strong in music and drama. Art, crafts and technology are also flourishing fields of work and study. A wide variety of sports and games are available and played to a high level. Many clubs and activities cater for most conceivable interests. There is a large CCF and other activities include climbing, canoeing, abseiling, flying, sailing and expeditions on Dartmoor and Exmoor. There is an unusually big commitment to local community service.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 11-18, 577 pupils, 193 day (115 boys, 78 girls), 270 weekly boarders (169 boys, 101 girls), 114 full boarders (62 boys, 52 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (preferably grade B in sixth form subjects). All special skills are welcome; so is the all-rounder. No religious requirements. 15+% of intake at 11 and 16 from state schools. Feeder schools include Forres Sandle, King's Hall, Mount House, St Michael's (Tavistock), St Peter's (Lympstone), The Downs (Wraxall).

Scholarships & bursaries

22-25 pa scholarships, value 10%-50% fees: 12 academic, 6 all-rounder, 2 art, 1 drama, 4 music (plus small awards at 11, 13 and 16). Special reductions for siblings, armed forces; 20% reductions for pupils over 13 from the local area. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents

30% live within 30 miles, 10% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Ian Davenport, in post from 2004. Educated at Bloxham and Durham University (politics). Previously Senior Tutor, Housemaster and Head of Economics and Politics at Radley. Teaching staff: 55 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: On average 85 pupils in upper fifth; 95% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 80 in upper sixth: 5% pass in 4+ subjects, 90% in 3. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 343.

Pupils' destinations

95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (25% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 5% in law, 25% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 30% in business related subjects. Others typically go straight in to commerce or the military.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 AS-level subjects, 18-A level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, wide range of general studies courses (AS-level additional option). 30% take science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities; 25% both. Key skills taught to a pilot group. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Tuition for dyslexics and EFL available. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Links with schools and exchanges arranged. ICT: 200 PCs with internet access plus computers in all departments.

The arts

Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including 2 orchestras, 3 choirs, big band, chamber music groups, pop groups. Drama: Drama offered and GCSE and A-level may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 2 AS-level, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, photography and sculpture also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, cricket compulsory for boys; hockey for girls (up to 16). Optional: fives, squash, hockey, football, fencing, judo, athletics, cross-country, tennis, swimming, basketball, shooting, netball, sailing, canoeing, golf, badminton, archery. GCSE, A-level, RLSS exams may be taken. International representatives in cricket and rugby; regional reps in athletics, basketball, fives, judo, fencing; county reps at rugby, cricket, squash, hockey, athletics. Activities: CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, including astronomy, music, Blundell's Action (to help the community), sailing, debating, literary, chess, French, World Challenge, rocket club, horse riding.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout, except in houses. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses: Monitors, head boy and girl, head of house and house monitors, appointed by Headmaster after consultation with monitors and housemasters. Religion: Church of England. Daily service for whole school; 6 Sunday services per term. Social: Debates, general knowledge competitions, musical events with local schools. Exchanges; links with schools in Australia, Berlin, South Africa, Slovakia, Russia; regular trips to west and east Europe; travel bursaries available for development of international understanding. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals are self-service. School tuck and tailor's shop.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once can expect appropriate admonition; those connected with cannabis would expect to leave; repeated smoking and illegal drinking also lead to expulsion.

Boarding

30% have own study bedroom, 50% share (with 1-3); 20% are in dormitories of 4-6. Houses of 65 approx: 3 boys, 2 girls, plus 1 junior (11-13 year olds), and pre-university house for upper sixth. 2 resident qualified nurses; doctor visits daily. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Exeats at half-term plus 3 or 4 weekends (Sat 4pm - Sun 9pm). Visits to local town allowed at all ages at housemaster's discretion.

Association of former pupils

is run by OB Committee, admin@obclub.co.uk

Former pupils

R D Blackmore (novelist); Lord (Donald) Stokes (industrialist); Michael Mates MP; Richard Sharp, Clem Thomas, Charles Kent (rugby players); Vic Marks, Hugh Morris (cricketers); Peter Hurford (organist); General Sir John Hackett; General Sir Walter Walker; Christopher Ondaatje; (philanthropist and adventurer); A V Hill (Nobel Prize physiology).