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Denstone College 丁斯顿学院, Uttoxeter,
Staffordshire ST14 5HN
Tel: 01889 590484 Fax: 01889 591295
Website: www.denstonecollege.org
• CO-ED, 11–18, Day & Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 456, Upper sixth 54
• Termly fees £2250–£3100 (Day), £4400–£4863 (Boarding)
• HMC, Woodard
• Enquiries to the Admissions’ Secretary. Application to the Headmaster

What it’s like
Founded in 1868, a Woodard school, it stands in 100 acres of rural countryside grounds. An on-going development plan has resulted in a theatre, IT and language laboratories, boys’ and girls’ boarding accommodation and a sports hall. There is also a modern CDT centre and a 9-hole golf course. Examination results are good. It is strong in music and drama and has a number of clubs and societies. Major sports are played to a high standard (county, regional, national successes). Vigorous participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (25% of upper sixth with gold awards). The declared aim is to encourage pupils to develop their individual talents – indeed scholarships are awarded to any outstanding talent which contributes to the life of the school. A friendly, hard-working school where high standards of manners are maintained without rigid formality or oppression.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 456 pupils, 312 day (202 boys, 110 girls), 144 boarding (105 boys, 39 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; sixth-form entry on basis of GCSE results. Special skills required for scholarships only; no religious requirements but pupils expected to attend C of E services. 50% of intake at 11 from state schools. Feeder schools at 13 include Yarlet, Lichfield Cathedral School, Foremarke Hall.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Some scholarships available (academic, instrumental, choral, sporting, art and other talents, eg drama) and bursaries (for children of clergy, servicemen), up to 50% fees. Parents expected to buy sixth-form textbooks.

Head & staff
Headmaster: David Derbyshire, in post since 1997. Educated at Bolton School and at universities of Kent (industrial relations & politics), Loughborough (PGCE, PE & social science) and the LSE (MSc government & politics). Previously Housemaster and Head of Hockey and Golf at Cranleigh, Head of Economics and Politics and i/c hockey at King’s School, Bruton.
Teaching staff: 39 full time, 6 part time. Annual turnover 8%. Average age 36.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 60 pupils in fifth form: 78% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 17% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 56 (50 over 5 years).
A-levels: 54 in upper sixth: 93% passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 286.

University & college entrance On average, 90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 2% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 27% in science & engineering, 46% in humanities & social sciences, 16% in art & design, 9% in music and drama. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg agriculture, art.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 AS/A-level subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 26% take science and technology A-levels; 47% arts/humanities; 27% both.
Special provision: Specialist teaching for dyslexic pupils and for EFL.
Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level, German at A-level. Regular exchanges (France).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 50 computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access; growing numbers with their own computers. All pupils take Clait in Year 9; GCSE and AS-level offered.

The arts
Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken 3 times a year. Some 8 musical groups including choirs, orchestra, concert band, swing band, percussion group.
Drama & dance: All pupils study drama to 14; A-level theatre studies may be taken. Annual senior and junior productions; junior drama festival. Dance tuition available.
Art & design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 10 A-level, including design, pottery. Numerous pupils go on to art colleges.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, cross-country, swimming, hockey, netball, rounders, athletics compulsory. Optional: squash, fives, badminton, keep fit, shooting, golf. County champions in rugby and hockey; national and local honours in cricket and rugby.
Activities: Pupils take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, drama, choir, golf, swimming, arts & crafts.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout (sensible home clothes after school day); some flexibility for seniors.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed by Headmaster in consultation with staff.
Religion: Attendance at Chapel compulsory (simple service 3 days/week; full communion weekly).
Social: Trips abroad include study tours (eg Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, France, First World War sites), expeditions for skiing, hill walking, CCF camp, rugby and cricket tours (eg South Africa, Barbados and Sri Lanka). Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop (tuck, general equipment, uniform). No tobacco allowed; alcohol only in sixth-form bar.

Discipline Withdrawal of privileges and community help used.

Boarding 20% have own study bedroom, 60% share; 20% in dormitories of 4+. Boys’ accommodation, divided by age; separate girls’ house. Resident qualified nurses. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own food. 48-hour exeats twice termly and half-term. Visits to local town allowed for older pupils. Weekly boarding available.

Former pupils T A Kemp (rugby international/President RFU); Geoffrey Smith (political columnist); Alistair Hignell (rugby international and broadcaster); John Makepeace (furniture designer); Ian Platt (opera singer); Sir Christopher French (High Court Judge); P D Kelly (Walker Cup captain); Professor A K Mant (pathologist); Professor M L H Green (chemist); T Marlow, M Liggins, Alex Lester (broadcasters); Jeremy Snape, Tim Mason, Richard Howitt (cricketers); Fiona Lawrenson (garden designer); Lord Justice Kay.