What it’s like
Founded in 1548, a development of a medieval charity school and one of the founding schools of the HMC in 1869. Its site comprises 100 acres of beautiful grounds and very attractive buildings, near the centre of Bromsgrove and half an hour from both Birmingham and Stratford-on-Avon. It has strong links with Worcester College, Oxford, through an endowment by the founder of Worcester. Its modern facilities are excellent and there have been many major developments in recent years including a new library and resources centre, an art, design and technology building and boarding accommodation. A sense of family (in the Christian tradition) is regarded as of prime importance; the Chapel is in regular use. Originally a boys’ school, girls were first accepted in 1976; it is fully co-educational. The school provides a wide range of opportunities for its pupils and its well-organised pastoral system encourages pupils to identify and develop their talents to the full. Examination results are very good. Music, drama and art are all strong and well supported. There is considerable strength, too, in sports and games (a large number of representatives at county, regional and national level). Thirty or more clubs and activities cater for most extra-curricular activities. There is great emphasis on outdoor pursuits linked with a vigorous CCF contingent and a thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Local community service is an important feature of the school life.

School profile

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Up to 30 pa scholarships, including academic, all-round, music, art, value 10%–50% fees (up to 10 each at 11, 13 and 16). Numerous means-tested bursaries, normally talented all-rounders and some for forces children. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; few extras.

Parents 60% live within 30 miles, 20+% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: T M Taylor, in post from 1986. Educated at Crewkerne Grammar School and Oxford University (biology). Previously Headmaster of Millfield Junior School and Housemaster and Senior Tutor at Millfield. Also Director of 3 exam boards, and of Central England TEC; Chairman of HMC Midland Division; member of HMC Professional Development Sub-Committee and of SHA Hereford and Worcester Branch; Governor/trustee of two schools. Formerly President Oxford University Athletics Club.
Teaching staff: 85 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age approx 38.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 145 in fifth, 95% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 57 (54 over 5 years).
A-level & AVCE: 99 in upper sixth. 9 pupils passed AVCE (others taking AS and A-levels). Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 416.

University & college entrance 97% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (some after a gap year), 3% to Oxbridge. 6% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 42% in science & engineering, 41% in humanities & social sciences, 7% in art & design, 4% in sports. Others typically go on to art foundation courses or straight into careers.

Curriculum GCSE, AS, A-levels and Vocational A-levels (AVCEs). 20 AS/A-level subjects, 3 AVCEs.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level (general studies A-level an additional option); or 2–3 AVCEs and 1 AS-level; some add a further AS-level in upper sixth. 20% took science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 50% both. Key skills compulsory for all sixth form.
Vocational: Work experience available. AVCEs in business studies, leisure & recreation, art & design offered.
Special provision: Small amount of extra tuition available; back-up support from teachers and encouragement and understanding. EAL department offers extra tuition for international pupils.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also a self-study option in sixth form, allows a language to be studied from scratch.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Year 9) and across the curriculum. 500 computers for pupil use (13 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. Most pupils take RSA/OCR internet technologies.

The arts
Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. On average, 10 take GCSE, 4 A-level. Some 20 musical groups including orchestra, wind bands, jazz bands, close harmony, instrumental ensembles, chapel choir, choral society. Biennial opera or musical.
Drama: GCSE drama (30 pupils), AS-level performing arts (18) and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 50 take GCSE, 16 A-level.

Sport & activities
Sport: Swimming, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, badminton, squash, athletics, rowing, soccer, fencing, dance, health-related fitness and golf. Major team games: rugby, hockey, cricket, cross-country and athletics (boys); hockey, netball, tennis and athletics (girls). GCSE, RLSS exams may be taken. Many outdoor activities including canoeing, sailing, climbing, sub-aqua; variety of expeditions.
Activities: CCF optional from age 14, (school’s own Bromsgrove Badge courses for younger pupils). 300+ participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Community service, first aid etc optional. Over 30 clubs, eg debating, computing, riding, yoga, art of heraldry, sci-fi, young enterprise, clay-pigeon shooting.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Pastoral and competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster and houseparents.
Religion: Compulsory worship.
Social: Some trips abroad. Day pupils may drive to and from school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol under supervision for sixth form only.

Discipline The school aims to be fair, firm and consistent. School rules are made clear to pupils, especially on such issues as drugs and personal relationships.

Boarding Upper sixth and most of lower sixth have own study bedroom; 5th form have own room or share with 1 other; 13–14 year-olds are in dormitories of 4–6. Single-sex houses of 60–70. Resident nurse, visiting doctor. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook snacks. 6–8 weekend exeats per term. Visits to local town allowed, frequency depending on age.

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