What it’s like
Founded in 1859 to meet the educational needs of the Catholic laity, it now educates both Roman Catholic and non-Roman Catholic boys in equal ratio. The Venerable John Henry Newman was very much responsible for establishing the school and his views and beliefs about education are still its driving force. It was originally founded in Birmingham and settled at Woodcote during the Second World War. It has a beautiful rural site with spacious grounds and purpose-built accommodation. Facilities are excellent. Religious education is an important part of the curriculum. Sunday mass and daily house prayers are compulsory. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. European links are exceptionally strong. It is strong in music (a well-equipped music studio) and there is a considerable commitment to drama and art. A big range of games and sports is available (a lot of representatives at county level). The sports centre includes a real tennis court and the school has a golf course and indoor shooting range. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and a strong CCF. A promising record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

School profile

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Some scholarships including academic, art, music and sport, value up to 50% fees. Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to pay a termly flat-rate charge for books.

Parents 15+% in the armed services; 15+% are doctors, lawyers, etc; remainder are professional, commercial and industrial. 10+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff
Head Master: Clive Dytor MC, in post from 2000. Educated at Cambridge University (Oriental studies). Previously Housemaster at St Edward’s Oxford and taught at Tonbridge. Also served in the Royal Marines (fought in Falklands War).
Teaching staff: 48 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 37.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 57 pupils in fifth: 83% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 52 (55 over 5 years).
A-levels: 46 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 264.

University & college entrance 100% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (15% after taking a gap year). 3% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 22% in science & engineering, 33% in humanities & social sciences. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg art foundation.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects offered, 21 AS/A-level (no general studies).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 36% take maths/science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 14% both. Key skills are not taught.
Special provision: Specialist tuition for mildly dyslexic children only.
Languages: French (from age 11), German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson week) and across the curriculum, eg report writing and research. 80 computers solely for pupil use (15 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and 30 with internet access. Most pupils take ECDL.

The arts
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, string quartets, jazz and rock bands, various ensembles. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, soccer, rowing, lawn tennis, athletics, cross-country, real tennis, squash, swimming, sailing, canoeing, table tennis, badminton, basketball, windsurfing, shooting, volleyball, weight training, fencing and golf all optional. RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. British and US U14 real tennis champion; 2 England U18 cricketers, 1 regional, 4 county cricket players, 10 rugby.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 13, optional thereafter. Community service optional. Up to 15 clubs, eg debating, cultural affairs.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn, suits in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, school captain, house captains and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster with housemasters.
Religion: Catholic Sunday Mass and twice-termly house mass compulsory; weekday masses optional; daily house prayers compulsory.
Social: Debates, dances, other social/educational ventures with other local schools. Organised ski trips, sailing trips, sports tours (eg tennis, rugby, rowing), some exchanges (Spain, France, Germany). Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School tuck shop. Smoking is not permitted. Boys over 18 may visit local inns; some social functions and informal occasions where boys between 16 and 18 may be allowed alcohol under staff supervision.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect additional work to be set; those caught taking drugs, on or off the premises, would be asked to leave.

Boarding 25% have own study bedroom, 35% share double studies; 20% share with 2–4 others; 20% are in dormitories of 6+. 5 houses (1 junior, 4 senior) of some 60 boarders (and 15 day). 2 resident qualified nurses, 5 house mothers, doctor lives very close. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Exeats to suit parental convenience. Occasional visits to the local town allowed for sixth form for specified reasons.

Former pupils Gerard Manley Hopkins; Sir Michael Levey (National Gallery); Mgr V F J Morgan (ex-Vicar General of Royal Navy); Michael Berkeley (composer); Christopher Hurford (Australian government minister); Joseph Co
nnolly (Times columnist); Nicholas Bicat (composer); Igor Judge QC (High Court Judge); Paul Purnell QC; Nicholas Purnell QC.