►►►其它中学

Bancroft’s School,班克罗夫特学校 Woodford Green,
Essex IG8 0RF
Tel: 020 8505 4821 Fax: 020 8559 0032
Website: www.bancrofts.essex.sch.uk
• CO-ED, 7–18, Day
• Pupils 965, Upper sixth 112
• Termly fees £2380–£3140
• HMC, IAPS
• Enquiries/application to the Head Master

What it’s like
Founded in 1737, it has occupied its present premises in Woodford for about 100 years. There are long-standing links with the Company of Drapers. The main buildings are handsome Victorian architecture and the later structures blend in sympathetically. The school is well equipped with excellent modern facilities; the playing fields are nearby. There is some religious worship in the Anglican tradition, but the wide range of racial and religious groups in the school reflects the make-up of the local area. It is fully co-educational, having first admitted girls in 1973. A well-run school with vigorous local support, it provides good teaching and the examination results are very good. A wide range of sports and games is played with considerable success (a large number of county representatives and some internationals). Good range of clubs and activities. Some local community schemes and an impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18, 965 day pupils (495 boys, 470 girls). Senior department 11–18, 765 pupils (397 boys, 368 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, good mock GCSEs (usually grade A in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 30% of senior intake from state schools (plus 60% to sixth form). Many from own junior (enquiries to Bancroft's Preparatory School, same address, tel 020 8506 6751).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 20 pa scholarships, value 25%–50% fees: 18 academic, 2 music (15 at 11, 5 at 16). 5 school assisted places at 11+. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; £50 maximum extras.

Head & staff
Head Master: Dr Peter Scott, appointed in 1996. Educated at Nottingham High and Oxford University (chemistry). Previously Deputy Head at Royal Grammar, Guildford, and Housemaster at Charterhouse.
Teaching staff: 69 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 35.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 106 pupils in upper fifth. 97% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 65 (64 over 5 years).
A-levels: 124 in upper sixth. 98% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 395.

University & college entrance 99% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course, 15% to Oxbridge. 15% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 30% in science & engineering, 40% in humanities & social sciences, 10% in art & design, 5% in eg drama and music.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 GCSE subjects, 18 AS-level, 21 A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, some take AS-level general studies (no A-level). 33% take science A-levels; 36% arts/humanities; 31% both. Key skills IT is taught.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Languages: French (compulsory 11–16), German and Spanish all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany, Greece and Spain.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Year 7–8) and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Also AS-level musical technology. Some 12 musical groups including Bancroft’s Singers, 3 orchestras, 2 rock bands. Bancroft’s Singers recent tours to Italy and Belgium.
Drama: Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered. On average 6 pupils to art college each year.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, tennis compulsory for girls; rugby, hockey, cricket for boys. Optional: badminton, squash, volleyball, basketball, orienteering, aerobics, golf, swimming, athletics etc. BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. Many county players at various sports. Tours Australia and South Africa, 2004.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF and Sea Scouts optional (and popular for boys and girls). Community service optional for 3 years at age 15. Over 30 clubs, eg poetry, drama, Amnesty, chess (Times semi-finalists), electronics (YEDA national finalists), history, singers workshop, engineering education scheme, Young Enterprise.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. All upper sixth take on responsibilities. School Council. Religion; Chapel/assemblies. Special Catholic, Jewish and Hindu assemblies, Muslim prayers.
Social: Lectures organised by departments. Wide range of trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention; those caught with cannabis on the premises might expect suspension; those supplying cannabis would expect expulsion.

Alumni association run by The Secretary, Mr A D Beer, 12 The Square, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 OUJ.

Former pupils Denis Quilley; Sir Neil Macfarlane; Prof Sir Frederick Warner; Fred Emery; David Pannick QC; Sam Smith; Alan Davies.