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What it's like

The original foundation dates from 1442. The first school building opened in 1837 and the school moved to its current, purpose-built site in 1986. This is a superb riverside setting near St Paul's Cathedral, linked to the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern by the Millennium Bridge. The new buildings are outstandingly well equipped and comfortable in every respect, most recently a state-of-the-art theatre has been added. It has extensive playing fields at Grove Park. It aims to maintain its long tradition of providing a liberal education to a wide economic, social and ethnic cross-section of the community. The school is strictly non-denominational. A very high standard of academic excellence is aimed at and achieved; examination results are excellent. Almost all leavers go on to degree courses, large numbers to Oxbridge (also to medical schools: the study of medicine is a vigorous tradition). There is also a strong tradition of musical excellence (the choristers of the Temple Church and the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, are all pupils). Drama and art also flourish. Sport and games are compulsory and standards are high. There is a substantial commitment to local community schemes. There are a number of outreach initiatives to share good practice with schools in local boroughs. The school enjoys close links with the Corporation of London and City life in general.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 10-18; 900 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, two exams and 6 GCSEs at least grade A (including maths, English and sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 60% of main intake at 11. Feeder schools include Hill House, Arnold House, North Bridge House, Hereward House, The Hall, Yerbury, Akiva, St Anthony's (Hampstead), St Michael's (Highgate).

Scholarships & bursaries

30 pa scholarships, value 25%-50% fees: 22 academic, 5 music, 3 sports (20 at 10 and 11; 5 each at 13 and 16); also choral scholarships. 14 means-tested bursaries (commercially-sponsored) at age 11 and 16, up to 100% of fees. Some help available to pupils in exam years, whose parents are in financial difficulties. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff

Headmaster: David Levin, in post from 1999. Educated in South Africa, postgraduate research in England. Previously Headmaster at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, and Second Master at Cheltenham College. Teaching staff: 90 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

Exam results

GCSE: 135 pupils in fifth form, 99% gaining grade C or above in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 132 in upper sixth, achieving an average final point score of 435.

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (22% after a gap year), 20% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine and dentistry, 18% in science, computing and engineering, 3% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 29% in other subjects eg accountancy, architecture.

Curriculum

I/GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE/IGCSE subjects offered, 22 at AS/A-level (including Russian and an exceptional further maths programme, allowing many to take up to 3 maths A-levels). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 or 4 at A-level; general studies neither taught nor examined. All take ECDL. Vocational: Work experience available (at home and abroad). Special provision: Facility for wheelchair pupils. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Italian GCSE, optional lunchtime class. Regular visits, exchanges and work experience in Germany, Spain and France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg modern languages and history. 260 computers for pupil use (all school hours), all networked and most with email and internet access; also class set of laptops.

The arts

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, string ensembles, choirs. Drama: Drama offered to GCSE and A-level. Many pupils involved in regular school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Pottery, printmaking, sculpture also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Soccer, cricket, basketball, water polo, swimming compulsory. Optional: fencing, squash, karate, badminton, table tennis, sailing, lawn tennis, hockey, cross-country, kyaking. RYA sailing exams may be taken. National representatives in fencing and water polo; regional representatives in soccer, basketball, water polo and cricket. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional for 2 years at age 14. Major fund-raising effort for charity. Over 30 clubs, including bridge, chess, Christian, Dr Who, Jewish, law, economics, politics, railways, science, Mandarin, craft and design, cheese appreciation, electronics, debating and public speaking, Model United Nations.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects elected; head boy, deputy and house captains appointed. School Parliament. Religion: Non-denominational school. No compulsory worship. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and other assemblies held. Social: Several joint functions with City of London School for Girls. Organised trips abroad include to USA, Canada, China, Peru and Namibia; language trips to Paris, Barcelona and an exchange with schools in Hamburg and Le Mans. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Inclining to the traditional, within a pastoral system based on form tutors, heads of year and headed by the Second Master. Pupils persistently failing to produce homework might expect detention; use of drugs likely to lead to permanent exclusion.

Association of former pupils

The John Carpenter Club, contacted via the Alumni Relations Officer at the school or www.jcc.org.uk.

Former pupils

H H Asquith (former prime minister); Kingsley Amis, Julian Barnes (writers); Denis Norden (TV personality); Mike Brearley (cricketer); Anthony Julius (lawyer); Lord (Anthony) Lester QC (human rights lawyer and Lib Dem politician); Lord (Peter) Levene (Chairman of Lloyds of London).