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Clifton College克利弗顿学院, 32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3JH
Tel: 0117 315 7000 Fax: 0117 315 7101
Website: www.cliftoncollegeuk.com
• CO-ED, 13–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 660, Upper sixth 140
• Termly fees £4500 (Day), £6600 (Boarding)
• HMC
• Enquiries/application to the Director of Admissions

What it’s like
Founded in 1862, it became a prominent public school very quickly. It first accepted girls in 1987 and was the first of the great Victorian foundations to adopt co-education at all levels. It is fortunate in its situation above the city, on the edge of Clifton Downs and near open country. Its handsome buildings are neo-Tudor and neo-Gothic and stand in beautiful grounds. Much money has been invested in the school and its facilities are exceptionally good; recent improvements include refurbished boys' houses, a new girls' house, an ICT centre, and a large leisure development with artificial pitches, a modern theatre and two superb libraries. It provides a thoroughly good and liberal education and examination results are very good. Very strong indeed in music and the arts. A high standard in games and sports, with many national representatives (a new real tennis court and indoor tennis centre). There are numerous extra-curricular activities and a strong CCF. A big commitment to local community schemes and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Much use is made of Bristol’s cultural amenities.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 13–18; 660 pupils, 260 day (170 boys, 90 girls), 400 boarding (245 boys, 155 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 13, 14 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least 3 at grade B, 3 grade C. No special skills or religious requirements. Small state school entry; some 65% of intake from own prep (enquiries to the Headmaster's Secretary, Clifton College Prep School, The Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HE; tel 0117 315 7502).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 36 pa scholarships, value up to 50% fees: 14 academic, 10 all-rounder, 6 art, 6 music (34 at 13, 2 at 16); plus 10 awarded in the prep school and carried through. Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to buy textbooks; £500 maximum extras.

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

Head & staff
Headmaster: Stephen Spurr, in post from 2000. Educated at Kings School, Canterbury, Sydney Grammar School and the universities of Sydney and Oxford. Previously Housemaster at Eton.
Teaching staff: 80 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 37.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 117 pupils in fifth: 94% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 66 (60 over 5 years).
A-levels: 140 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 340.

University & college entrance 90% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (20% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 5% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 35% in science & engineering, 45% in humanities & social sciences, 12% in art & design, 3% in music. Others typically go on to non-degree courses (sports management, marketing), art or music colleges or into careers (eg family business, services).

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 32 exam subjects.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 24% take science A-levels; 44% arts/humanities; 32% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses, ICT taught as discrete units.
Vocational: Work experience for all lower sixth.
Special provision: Specialist teachers provide special needs tuition and EFL.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level; also GCSE Italian. Chinese and other less-used languages by request. Regular exchanges (France, Germany, Spain, Mexico).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200+ computers for pupil use (14 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take CIT certificates in sixth form.

The arts
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestra, wind, jazz bands, choirs, madrigal group. Members of National Youth Orchestra, local youth orchestras etc.
Drama: Drama offered; GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. 14 pupil-directed plays a year.
Art & design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery offered. Exhibitions locally.

Sport & activities
Sport: A major sport compulsory for first year. Options: netball, hockey, soccer, cricket, rugby, rackets, fives, squash, tennis, rowing, swimming, fencing, athletics. National teams at cricket, rugby, rowing etc; British rackets champion.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF voluntary, community service is alternative. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, science, politics, green, philosophy, debating.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits an option for sixth form (boys and girls).
Houses & prefects: Head of school, Prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by the Headmaster, after consultation.
Religion: For Christians some Chapel services are compulsory, others voluntary. For Jewish pupils attendance at Synagogue is compulsory.
Social: School debates, co-productions of plays, subject conferences with other local schools. Strong connection with, and organised trips to, earthquake-damaged school in Mexico City. Exchanges with France, Germany, Spain, Mexico. Meals self-service. School uniform, stationery and games shop. No tobacco allowed; social centre for over–17s.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect detention. School has a clear and firm policy on drugs and substances abuse.

Boarding 25% have own study bedroom, 45% share with others; 30% are in study-bedrooms of 3–6. Single-sex houses of approximately 60. School doctor visits daily, two qualified nurses in sanatorium. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Flexible approach to boarding and exeats. Visits to the local town allowed with permission.

Alumni association is run by C M E Colquhoun, Old Clifton Society, c/o the College.

Former pupils Clive Thomson (Rentokil); Peter Job (Reuters); Julian Richer (Richer Sounds); Lord (Clyde) Hewlett and Lord (Patrick) Jenkin (politicians); Sir Michael Redgrave, Trevor Howard, John Cleese, John Houseman and Simon Russell Beale (actors); Sir David Willcocks and Joseph Cooper (music); Mark Tully, David Bonavia, John Inverdale and Stephen Pile (media); James Kirtley (cricket).