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What it's like

Established in 1978, it has its own prep department and a satellite junior school in Darlington. Originally a boys' school, it first admitted girls into the sixth form and throughout the senior school some 8 years ago; all parts of the school are now fully co-educational. The major buildings are located at the Friarage, an 18th century mansion in 20 acres of pleasant grounds alongside the River Tees. The prep school has its own buildings on a separate adjacent site. Excellent modern facilities are provided, including an all-weather sports pitch, sports hall and a centre for science, technology and computing; and most recently a performing arts centre, complete with 600-seat theatre. There are good facilities for the sixth form. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music, drama and art are given considerable attention. A wide variety of sports and games are played; riverside access allows rowing and canoeing to thrive. An extensive array of activities ranges from debating to horse riding. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme attracts many participants and there is a CCF.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 1000 day pupils (600 boys, 400 girls). Senior department 11-18, 620 pupils (390 boys, 230 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance used. No special skills or religious requirements. 25% of senior intake from state schools (plus several sixth form).

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships and bursaries, value up to 33% of fees, at all ages. Parents expected to buy some textbooks in sixth form; lunches extra (£2.50 a day).

Head & staff

Headmaster: David M Dunn, in post since 1999. Educated at Bolton School and Nottingham University (modern languages). Previously Deputy Head at Stewart's Melville. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 17 part time.

Exam results

GCSE: 95 pupils in fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 5+ subjects (mean of 9.3 subjects). A-levels: 100 in upper sixth, passing a mean of 4.5 subjects, with an final point score of 452 (including general studies).

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (5% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 25% in science and engineering, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in vocational subjects.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 subjects offered (including psychology, sports studies, business studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; in addition, all take AS and A-level general studies. 36% take science/maths A-levels; 34% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into curriculum; not assessed. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: English as a foreign language. Languages: French and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 300 computers for pupil use (throughout the day), most networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: 30% learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 12 musical groups including orchestras, jazz band, wind band, chamber group, madrigal singers, church choir. Drama: Drama offered. A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils involved in school productions, majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 8 A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, hockey, rowing, netball, basketball, soccer, cross-country, softball, weight training, cricket, athletics, tennis, gymnastics, dance compulsory. Optional: Squash, canoeing, badminton, fencing, swimming, horse riding. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional for sixth form. Active CCF. Up to 60 clubs including debating, chess, photography, canoe, skiing, creative writing, history, conservation, drama groups.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, modified in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school, head of house and house prefects - appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Christian tradition, non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship voluntary (private study an alternative). Social: Joint concerts and orchestral occasions with local musical societies. About 8 organised trips abroad each year plus regular exchanges with French and German schools. Sixth formers allowed to bring own car to school.

Discipline

School relies mainly on the pupils' own sense of personal responsibility.

Association of former pupils

is run c/o the school.