What it’s like
Founded in 1879 to provide a public school education within the evangelical tradition of the Church of England. A boys’ school until 1968, it is now fully co-educational. It enjoys a fine site of 150 acres, close to the coast between Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The junior, middle and senior schools are on the same campus and their agreeable buildings, in traditional collegiate style, are set in splendid gardens. The chapel is an important focus of school life and there is an emphasis on Christian education; the college has long-standing bonds with mission societies and many Lawrentians have entered Holy Orders. Academic standards are high and examination results good. Art, music and drama are all strongly supported. Excellent games and sports facilities include 36 acres of playing fields, flood-lit astroturf hockey pitch and tennis courts, multigym and refurbished indoor pool. There is a good range of games and sports (including rifle-shooting and sailing) and sporting standards are high, especially in hockey and athletics. A wide range of clubs and societies caters for most needs. The flourishing CCF is one of the oldest in Britain (founded in 1898) and has Navy, Army and Air Force sections. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is also popular and there has been much success in it. Local community service is vigorously supported.

School profile

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Approx 25 pa scholarships, value 10%–50% of fees: most academic, others all-rounder, art and music (awarded at 8, 11, 13 and 16). Also bursaries for children of clergy, missionaries and serving members of the armed forces. Few extras, eg exam fees, insurance, excursions.

Parents 40% live within 30 miles; 40% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Rev Mark Aitken, in post 2004. Educated at St Edward's School, Oxford, Norwich School and the universities of Durham and Cambridge. Previously Chaplain at Sherborne School.
Teaching staff: 35 full time, 5 part time (+ 7 part-time musicians). Annual turnover up to 5%. Average age 42.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 50 pupils in fifth: 93% of gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 55 (56 over 5 years).
A-levels: 40 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 327.

University & college entrance 98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 26% in science & engineering, 7% in law, 28% in humanities & social sciences, 12% in art & design, 17% in other vocational subjects eg architecture, accounting, pharmacy, management. Others typically go on to eg the armed service colleges, vocational courses, the police, nursing.

Curriculum GCSE, AS-level and A-level. 20 GCSE subjects, 26 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers begin 4 subjects at AS-level (many weaker pupils drop to 3) and 3 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. 31% took science A-levels; 45% arts/humanities, 24% combinations. Key skills integrated in sixth-form and general studies courses; compulsory but choices offered.
Vocational: Work experience available, one week after GCSEs.
Special provision: Bright, mildly dyslexic pupils accepted; qualified SEN and EFL staff.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level (French compulsory from age 8 to GCSE). Regular exchanges (France and Belgium). TV available from several European countries.
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. Most pupils take either Clait or Certificate of Achievement. 100 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and most with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups, including orchestra, choirs, stage band and other smaller groups. Recent winner and finalist of BBC Choir Girl of the Year.
Drama: Drama offered. LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions (usually 3 a year) and majority in annual house productions.
Art & design: On average, 17 take GCSE, 2 AS-level, 8 A-level. Pottery also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis (girls); rugby, hockey, cricket (boys) compulsory. Optional: badminton, squash, golf, shooting, athletics, swimming, tennis, cross-country, football, adventure training. Several representatives in county and south-east teams, especially in hockey and athletics.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (very popular). CCF compulsory for 5 terms at age 13 (many stay on). Most take life-saving and first-aid qualifications in CCF. Community service optional but popular. Up to 15 clubs, eg bridge, cookery, Christian Union, comedy, debating, film, aerobics, Scrabble, politics, pottery, arts, sixth-form club (The Underground), Amnesty International, Young Enterprise, riding, golf, traction kite.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn, modified in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head of school, prefects, heads of houses and house prefects – appointed by the Head and Housemasters/mistresses, in consultation with current prefects.
Religion: Compulsory attendance at worship except for those of other faiths. Annual Lent mission and confirmation retreat.
Social: Orchestral concerts, numerous debates, and career conferences with local schools. Trips abroad include ski trip, exchanges with schools in France and Belgium, hockey tours to Holland. Day pupils allowed to bring own car or bike. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Firm guidelines are given about drugs, alcohol, smoking, bullying and sexual relations and supported by a PSE programme. Minor offences dealt with by imposing an on-the-spot task of value to the community (eg litter cleaning); serious offences eg drugs, theft, bullying, can result in suspension or explusion.

Boarding 50% have own study bedrooms (some en-suite), including sixth formers; 20% share with one other; 30% are in dormitories of 6. Single-sex houses of about 45. Resident qualified nurse (plus part-time nurses); doctor visits 3 times a week. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Half-term and 2 weekend exeats each term. Visits to local
town allowed twice a week, sixth formers more frequently.

Former pupils Sir Kirby, Sir Maurice and Sir Martin Laing (John Laing PLC); Sir David Hunt (Mastermind winner and diplomat); Gordon Edington (NCH); Siddig Losadil (actor); Professor Dickinson (Oxford University); General Dannatt; Tabatha Watling (former choir girl of the year); Sir John Stevens (Police).