Headteacher

We are a 13-18 boys’ school which seeks to retain the best of a traditional ethos based upon over 100 years of achievement, with a modern, forward-thinking approach that prepares young men for success in the 21st Century.

We provide our students with a variety of challenging opportunities for learning, development and growth. They learn that personal and social development involves taking responsibility not only for themselves, but also for all those around them. Our success is measured both by first-class examination results and also the extent to which we provide an environment in which students are happy and can flourish. In May 2023 Ofsted judged us good.

To achieve this, we are a school where:

• Every student has the opportunity to reach his full potential through lessons that are academically challenging and engaging;
• There is an enthusiasm for learning, an encouragement of effort and a celebration of success; fairness, hard work and discipline are respected by all;
• There is outstanding provision for co-curricular activities;
• Students feel valued and are active members of the community;
• Students become well-equipped for a happy life in a diverse and changing society.

Our curriculum is broad and balanced offering learning across the full range of subjects and personalised appropriately to meet individual needs. At A level a very wide range of academic and vocational subjects are successfully delivered, with over 50% at grades A*-B. There have always been high rates of university entrance. The GCSE results are strong and above the national average. We are significantly above national average for boys in terms of progress from KS2 to GCSE.

Our co-curricular provision provides exciting and diverse opportunities for all, especially in the arts and in sport, as well as a wide range of more specialised activities, like the Physics Society, Debating Club and Duke of Edinburgh awards. Many students represent the school at national (and sometimes international) level. In the recent years our senior squad has won Henley Royal Regatta and rowers have represented Great Britain.

The school places great emphasis on developing the quality of teaching and increasing standards for learning. Students are expected to participate actively in their learning journey, by working enthusiastically, inquisitively and independently both in class and with homework. Teachers track the progress and achievement of all students and provide additional guidance and support when needed.

Our welfare and pastoral care is delivered through a Year and a House system. This not only allows for the promotion of academic progress and support for their well-being, but also fosters identity, camaraderie, and healthy competition. A student’s tutor is normally the first point of home-school contact. It is very important to us that our students are happy and secure and that their school life is a memorable experience which will form the basis of a rich and rewarding later life. We have the highest expectations of our students and continually look for opportunities to widen their horizons and encourage their ambition.