►►►其它中学

Milton Abbey School 米尔顿阿贝中学,米尔顿阿贝学校 Blandford Forum,
Dorset DT11 0BZ
Tel: 01258 880484 Fax: 01258 881194
Website: www.miltonabbey.co.uk    
• BOYS and GIRLS, 13–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 225, Upper sixth 40
• Termly fees £5295 (Day), £7060 (Boarding)
• SHMIS
• Enquiries/application to the Headmaster

What it’s like
Founded in 1954, it has an exceptionally beautiful site in a large area of parkland near Blandford. The main building is a large 18th-century country house which incorporates some of the buildings of the original Benedictine monastery of the middle ages. The magnificent medieval abbey church is the outstanding architectural feature. There are many modern additions and extensions and the accommodation and facilities are first-rate. It is a C of E school but welcomes pupils of all faiths. The abbey church is the co-ordinating focus of the life of the community and a considerable influence on it. Worship and religious instruction are an important part of the general curriculum. Self-discipline, courtesy, self-respect and a sense of responsibility are deemed to be of prime importance in a pupil’s development. The school’s philosophy is to emphasise individual development by encouraging each boy to establish his own role and use his talents to the full. A sound general education is provided. A large staff permits a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:7 and classes are unusually small. There is close personal monitoring by house staff and tutors as a basis for academic success. Drama is strong; music and art flourish. Natural history has a particularly keen following. The CCF is very strong and there are close links with service units in the region. A good range of sports and games and outdoor pursuits (sailing is particularly strong). The school’s local community services are long established.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 13–18; 225 boys (40 day, 185 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance exam used; an average of 50% ensures a place but some may be accepted below that standard if recommended by their previous school. Special factors (eg dyslexia, past illness or interrupted schooling) are taken into account. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (usually B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Small state school entry. Pupils come from a large number of prep schools and a wide geographical range.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Approx 12 pa scholarships, value 10%–50% of fees: 2–3 academic, others for sport, sailing, art, technology, drama, music (10+ at 13, 1–2 at 16). Variable number of bursaries, for existing pupils. Parents expected to buy textbooks; £300 average extras.

Parents 30+% live within 30 miles; up to 15% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: W J Hughes-D’Aeth, in post since 1995. Educated at Haileybury and universities of Liverpool (geography) and Cambridge (education). Previously Housemaster at Rugby and 1 year teaching in Australia.
Teaching staff: 30 full time, 7 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 40.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 48 pupils in upper fifth: 54% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects;
27% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 45 (48 over 5 years).
A-levels: 40 in upper sixth:
72% passed in 3 subjects; 14% in 2 and 14% in 1 subject. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 222.

University & college entrance 58% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (42% after a gap year). 19% took courses in science & engineering, 81% in humanities & social sciences. Of the remainder, 7% went on to HND courses, 16% to diploma or foundation courses and 19% went straight into employment.

Curriculum GCSE, AS, A-levels and AVCEs. 16 GCSE subjects, 20 at AS and A-level and 3 Vocational A-levels.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (3–5), 3 at A-level (2–4); general studies is not taken. 9% take science A-levels; 26% arts/humanities; 65% both. Separate classes for ICT skills test; remaining key skills taught in mainstream subjects.
Vocational: Work experience available. NVQ courses in catering and motor mechanics; AVCEs in science (countryside management), leisure and tourism, sport and recreation; each includes 14 days work experience.
Special provision: Remedial English and mathematics study skills. Multi-sensory support for dyslexic pupils from qualified teachers; EFL.
Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges (France) and sixth-form visit to Paris and Barcelona.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 double lesson a week in Year 9 + Key Skills ICT in the sixth form) and across the curriculum. 20 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Many pupils also have their own lap/desk tops. All pupils take Clait in Year 9.

The arts
Music: Nearly 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7+ musical groups including brass, woodwind and string ensembles, the Abbey choir, plainsong choir and chamber choir, various pop groups; use of recording studio facilities.
Drama: Drama offered to AS-level; some pupils are involved in school productions and the majority in other productions.
Art & design: On average, 10 take GCSE, 5 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.

Sport & activities
Main sports: Rugby, hockey and cricket, fitness programme for the non-sporty. Optional: canoeing, golf, squash, shooting, swimming, fencing, basketball, cross-country, tennis, athletics, sailing (RYA exams taken), karate. County representatives at rugby, hockey, cricket, cross-country, athletics, tennis, swimming.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; average of 100 boys involved; expeditions in Britain and Europe. CCF or community service compulsory for 2_ years at age 14 (180 boys involved). Up to 30 clubs, eg motor engineering, chess, computing, clay-pigeon shooting, debating, electronics, modelling, music, sub-aqua.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster.
Religion: Religious worship compulsory.
Social: Theatrical productions and dances with other local girls’ schools. Modern languages trips and expeditions abroad. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol allowed in sixth-form club.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning and repeat work; those testing positive twice for cannabis are expelled.

Boarding 22% have own study bedroom, 50% share with up to 3 others; 18% are in dormitories of 6+. Houses of approximately 45. Resident qualified nurses. Central dining room. 2 weekend exeats per term plus half-term. Visits to local town allowed at weekends.

Alumni association is run by M Sale, c/o the school.

Former pupils Alastair Boyd (who parachuted off the Empire State Building); Anthony Geffen
(film and TV producer); Rupert Evans (actor).