Culford School 卡尔福德学校 , Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk IP28 6TX
Tel: 01284 728615 Fax: 01284 728631
Website: www.culford.co.uk
• CO-ED, 2–18 Day, 8–18 Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 680, Upper sixth 60
• Termly fees £2275–£4095 (Day), £4850–£6283 (Boarding), £3702–£6283 (Weekly)
• HMC, IAPS
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Officer

What it’s like
Founded in 1881 as a boys’ school, it first accepted girls in 1972 and is now fully co-educational. It has a splendid site 3 miles north of Bury St Edmunds. The main building is Culford Hall, a palatial 18th-century mansion (formerly the seat of the Earl Cadogan) in 480 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland. Numerous modern extensions include a sports complex, design and arts block, a fine library, and a science centre. The prep school is also in the park. It is a Methodist foundation but all denominations and none are welcome. The school has a deep-rooted respect for tradition in teaching methods, manners and behaviour and sees education as something that goes on outside as well as in the classroom. It seeks to establish a partnership with parents and expects pupils to work hard and make the most of their abilities whether they are outstanding academically or not; examination results are good. The music and drama departments are very vigorous and there are many outdoor pursuits (including Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and world-wide expeditions). Sport and games are played to high standards (many county and regional representatives) and there are close community service ties with the town.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 2–18; 680 pupils, 480 day (260 boys, 220 girls), 200 boarding (125 boys, 75 girls). Senior department 13–18, 400 pupils (220 boys, 180 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 2–8, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs (grade B in subjects taking on to A-level). No special skills or religious requirements. Many senior pupils from own prep.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 17 pa scholarships, up to 50% of fees: 9 academic, 4 all-rounder, 1 art, 3 music, 1 sport (2 at 11, 7 at 13, 3 at 16, 2 at other ages). 18 pa discretionary bursaries; Forces' bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; few extras.

Parents 70+% live within 30 miles; 12% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Julian Johnson-Munday, in post from 2004. Educated at Norwich School and the universities of Leicester and Durham (MBA). Previously Deputy Headmaster at Hill High School, London.
Teaching staff: 76 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 38.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 74 pupils in upper fifth: 89% gained grade C or above in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 54 (over 5 years). A-level: 60 in upper sixth: 45% passed in 4+ subjects; 42% in 3; 8% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 338.

University & college entrance 90% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (6% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 5% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 20% in science & engineering, 15% in law, 45% in humanities & social sciences, 10% in art & design, 5% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy, psychology. Others typically go on to eg financial, estate agency work.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS-level subjects, 20 A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; A-level general studies optional in addition. Key skills integrated in subjects.
Vocational: Work experience available; also RSA stages 1 and 2 Clait.
Special provision: For dyslexia, ESL.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (French compulsory from age 5 to Year 9). Exchanges to France and Germany.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week) and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), majority networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take Clait.

The arts
Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, choral society, wind band etc. 2 pupils within last 5 years in National Youth Orchestra; choral scholarship to Cambridge, violin scholarship to Royal Northern College of Music.
Drama & dance: Drama and dance offered. GCSE drama, LAMDA, MIDDA exams may be taken. Majority of junior, some senior pupils are involved in school productions and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 24 take GCSE, 8 A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, printmaking, scenery/props making, history of art also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: PE (wide range of mainly indoors activities) and swimming compulsory. Optional: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming, rounders, badminton, squash, volleyball, basketball, water polo, aerobics, gymnastics etc. GCSE may be taken. National representatives in rugby, hockey (boys and girls); regular county and regional successes for teams and individuals at hockey, rugby, cricket, netball.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; over 60 pupils registered. CCF (RAF) and community service optional. Over 60 clubs, eg chess, aviation, arts, aerobics, badminton, recorder, science, expedition (trips to eg Borneo, Himalayas, North Africa).

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects, nominated by staff and pupils, appointed by the Headmaster.
Religion: Religious worship compulsory; a Methodist foundation.
Social: Some organised local events and trips abroad. Upper sixth allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Punishments include: detentions (offences related to academic work); work units, withdrawal of privileges (other offences); fines (smoking); gating (breaking bounds); suspension/expulsion, both rare (drug offences, gross bullying, cheating, stealing). School sees discipline primarily as a pastoral concern and this attitude affects the reaction to breaches of discipline.

Boarding Most share study bedrooms; none in large dormitories. Single-sex houses, senior (13–18) and prep (8–13). Resident qualified medical staff. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. 2 exeats each term. Visits to the local town allowed.

Alumni association is run from the Foundation Office at the school.

Former pupils Sir David Plastow (formerly Vickers); Admiral Sir Derek Reffell; John Motson (sports commentator); Judy Aslett (foreign correspondent ITN); Gary Newbon (Head of Sport, Central TV).