What it’s like
Founded in 1855, originally for sons of doctors, the school retains strong medical links. It is on a fine 80-acre site, close to open countryside on Epsom Downs and 15 miles from central London. The main buildings are of handsome Victorian architecture and have been imaginatively adapted for new facilities. There has been much modernisation and extension in recent years, and the college is now very well equipped. There is a fine chapel at the centre of the college, with worship according to the Church of England. Now co-educational; girls were accepted throughout the school from 1996, after 20 years experience of a mixed sixth form. It is a school which expects pupils to aim for high academic standards and at the same time to be fully involved in the general life of an active community. Examination results are very good. It is very strong in music, art and drama. A wide range of sport and games (very many county representatives), plus a large number of clubs and societies. A substantial commitment to local community schemes.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 13–18; 680 pupils, 315 day (240 boys, 75 girls), 365 boarding (250 boys, 115 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, interview, school reports and GCSE grade B in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements; school looks for evidence of academic promise and all-round contribution to the school. State school entry 7% at 13, plus 15% new entrants to sixth form.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Many scholarships at age 13 and 16, value £1000–£5000 pa: academic, all-rounder, design technology, drama, art, music, sport. Variable number of bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music tuition only major extra.

Parents 20+% in industry or commerce; 20+% are doctors, lawyers etc. 70+% live within 30 miles; up to 20% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Stephen Borthwick, in post from 2000. Educated at Bangor University (physics). Previously Headmaster at Aldenham, Deputy Head at Bishop’s Stortford, Head of Physics & Technology at Marlborough and taught at Rugby and Bloxham.
Teaching staff: 79 full time, 30+ part time (mostly music and language assistants). Annual turnover 10%. Average age 41.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 115 pupils in fifth form: 78% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 66 (64 over 5 years).
A-levels: 152 in upper sixth: 14% passed in 4+ subjects; 67% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 347.

University & college entrance In 2003, 144 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course, 10% to Oxbridge. 11% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 39% in science & engineering, 1% in law, 29% in humanities & social sciences, 2% in art & design, 18% in other subjects eg drama, music, agriculture, stage management.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21–22 AS/A-level subjects.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (range 3–5), 3 at A-level (range 3–5); general studies is not taken. 30% take science A-levels; 43% arts/humanities; 27% both. Key skills integrated into courses.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: A successful learning support department.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany).
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week to Year 9). Nearly 500 networked computers with email and internet access; some pupils also have own laptops.

The arts
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams regularly taken. Musical groups including orchestra, chapel choir, choral society, concert band, madrigals, various ensembles.
Drama & dance: Drama and theatre studies offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Major recent productions include Kiss Me Kate, Amadeus, Romeo & Juliet, Dido & Aeneas, Grease, Marriage of Figaro, Twelfth Night.
Art & design: On average, 35 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Pottery also offered. Pupils regularly go on to art college.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics, swimming, tennis are major sports. Other sports: badminton, basketball, cross-country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, polo, sailing, target rifle shooting, squash, volleyball. Sixth form only: soccer. Strong county representation in all age groups at rugby, hockey, cricket, squash, netball, athletics, cross-country.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 14: strong emphasis on leadership training. Outstanding shooting record, many hold first-aid qualifications, numerous outdoor pursuits. Community service optional for 2 years at age 16. Up to 30 clubs, eg bridge, car maintenance, chess, computing, photography, pottery, woodwork.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses (8 boys, 4 girls). Prefects, head boy/girl and head of house, appointed by the Headmaster, housemaster/mistress. Leadership and management courses for all prefects.
Religion: Worship compulsory except for practising members of non-Christian religions. 2 chaplains.
Social: Debates, intellectual societies and sporting competitions with other schools. Average of 5 trips abroad a year. Pupils allowed with permission to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School store and tuck shop. Upper sixth allowed beer on supervised occasions. No tobacco allowed.

Discipline All breaches of discipline dealt with according to the circumstances. Zero tolerance policy on drugs; pupils handling/dealing with drugs can expect to be asked to leave.

Boarding 15% have own study bedroom, 65% share; 20% are in dormitories of 4+. Single-sex houses, of about 60. Five qualified nurses. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. 2 exeats a term plus half term, variable length. Visits to the local town allowed.

Alumni association is run by Mrs S Croucher, c/o the college.

Former pupils Graham Sutherland; John Piper; Nicholas Witchell; Lord Alex Carlile; Mark Mardell; Jeremy Vine; Jonathan Gould; Johnny Maitland.