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What it's like

Founded in 1960 as a prep school, by the parents of the current owners and principals, Hugh and James Wilding. A secondary department (13-16) was added in 1977 and a sixth form in 1994. The nursery and sixth form are co-educational; boys and girls are taught separately between the ages of 4 and 16. The school is on three sites. The senior boys' school is near Boulters Lock, on the River Thames, not far from the centre of Maidenhead; the junior boys are at Ridgeway, to the west of the town. The girls' school is The College in the town. Co-educational sixth-form teaching is mainly at the girls' school. Academic standards are good and results creditable. Music, drama and art are well supported. A fair range of sports and games (including sailing and rowing on the Thames, and judo). Community work and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme are popular.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 790 day pupils (465 boys, 325 girls). Senior department 11-18, 640 pupils (410 boys, 230 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 11 and 16. Entrance by interview, school reports; for sixth-form entry, usually GCSE at least grade C in sixth-form subjects (but B in maths). All skills appreciated (particularly sport, music, drama); no religious requirements (20% pupils Catholic but all denominations represented). 50% of senior intake from state schools (plus few to sixth form).

Scholarships & bursaries

30 pa scholarships, value £100-£2000: 16 academic, 4 all-rounder, 2 sport, 2 art, 2 drama and 4 music (20 at 12, 10 at 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks from Year 9.

Head & staff

Principal: James Wilding, in post from 1980. Educated at Douai and Leicester University (biology, psychology). Previously Second Master and Science Master at the school. Also Member of Executive Council and Area Co-ordinator London West of ISA. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 35 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 41.

Exam results

GCSE: 101 pupils in Year 11: 88% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 62 in upper sixth: 98% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 278 (including AS-levels).

Pupils' destinations

85% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 12% took courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 26% in humanities and social sciences, 6% in art and design, 45% in vocational subjects (eg business studies, languages, sports science). A few typically go straight into work.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. Study skills taught in Years 7 and 8. 17 GCSE subjects, 22 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4-5 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 30% take science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 40% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Qualified teachers give individual help to dyslexics. Also ESL help. Languages: French (compulsory from age 7), German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Belgium). Twinned with Belgian and French schools. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg collation of data in scientific experiments. 25 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 5 musical groups including orchestra, choir, jazz band and rock group. Pupils involved in Maidenhead secondary school music festival and East Berks Music Centre. Drama and dance: GCSE and A-level drama may be taken; dance offered for girls. All pupils may be involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 30% take GCSE; 20% take A-level. Design also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming compulsory to age 13 for boys; netball, hockey, swimming for girls. Additional options: rowing, sailing, tennis, badminton, basketball, judo, squash. Sixth formers are members of local health and fitness facilities. GCSE and A-level sports studies, RYA awards may be taken. Competes nationally in rowing and sailing, finalists in ARA National Championships every year; national and county representatives in cricket, rugby, athletics, tennis, hockey and netball. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 20 clubs eg public-speaking, electronics, photography.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; smart business dress in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, appointed by Principal after consultation with staff and pupils. Year group councils. Religion: Non-denominational. Morning assembly compulsory. Social: Boys' and girls' schools combine for public-speaking, drama and music. Exchanges with Belgium, France and Germany; annual ski and sailing trips; overseas sports tours. Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to complete it by the next lesson; those caught smoking on the premises could expect suspension, pending further action, including expulsion.

Association of former pupils

is run by Mrs Rosemary Barker, c/o the school.