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Kirkham Grammar School,克科姆文理中学/克科姆文理学校

Ribby Road, Kirkham, Preston, Lancashire PR4 2BH
Tel: 01772 671079 Fax: 01772 672747
Website: www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk
• CO-ED, 3–18 Day 11–18 Boarding
• Pupils 975, Upper sixth 80
• Termly fees £1555–£2065 (Day), £3800 (Boarding)
• HMC, SHMIS, BSA
• Enquiries/application to the Headmaster

What it’s like
Founded in 1549 as a co-educational school, it is attractively situated in more than 30 acres of its own grounds in a semi-rural area between Preston and Blackpool. The main school buildings date from 1910, but there have been many additions, most recently a floodlit all-weather pitch, sports hall, centres for the sixth form and languages, a library and dining complex. It also has an industry-standard technology suite and is designated as an international education centre for technology, through a partnership with BAE Systems. The school retains long-standing links with the Drapers’ Company and provides a traditional grammar school education, achieving good examination results. There is a very strong sporting tradition, and high standards are achieved in many sports (many county players and some regional and national representatives). There are also strong art, drama and music departments. Much stress is laid on the Christian ethos of the school, respect for others, courteous behaviour and manners, good order and discipline. Great pains are taken to establish close personal relationships with each pupil, through its tutorial system.

School profile

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 16 pa scholarships, value £1000–£2250: 12 academic, 4 music (8 at 11, 4 at 16, 3–4 at other ages). 10 bursaries, based on proven financial need. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents 25+% in industry or commerce; 25+% are doctors, lawyers, etc. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Douglas Walker, appointed 2002. Educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Cambridge University (history). Previously Deputy Head at Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Head of History and i/c rugby and athletics at Rossall. Also rugby blue and group coach to England Schools 18 team; Governor at Treales School.
Teaching staff: 74 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 35.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 106 pupils in fifth form: 78% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 21% in 5–7 subjects – average of 8.8 subjects, with a score of 54 (over 5 years).
A-levels: 79 in upper sixth: 75% passed in 4+ subjects; 13% in 3; 9% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 330.

University & college entrance 90% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (5% after a gap year), 7% to Oxbridge. 9% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 30% in science & engineering, 4% in law, 40% in arts & social sciences, 10% in other subjects. Others typically go on to employment or art foundation courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23–24 AS/A-level subjects offered.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; A-level general studies an additional option. 45% took science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 45% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses and activities but not examined.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: EFL help available. Test in English arranged for sixth formers for whom English is not native tongue.
Languages: French and German offered to GCSE, AS and A-level, Latin to GCSE. Regular exchanges (France and Germany).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons a week in Years 7 and 8, 1 a week in Year 9) and across the curriculum. 120 computers for pupil use (up to 12 hours a day in boarding houses), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. Some pupils also have laptops; 95% have computer access at home.

The arts
Music: 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include orchestra, string group, concert band, choirs. Annual music festival, termly concerts, musicals. Pupils members of various county ensembles.
Drama: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 12 A-level. A number of students go on to pursue careers in art, design, architecture.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, hockey, basketball, netball, swimming, volleyball, cricket, tennis, cross-country, badminton, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: squash, weight/fitness training, aerobics. National representatives in rugby (7 capped for England 2002–2004) and in hockey, cross country; regional/county representatives in rugby, hockey, cricket; national hockey finalists (U15/16 in 2000, U18 in 2002, 2004), U15 British schools tennis finalists (2002).
Activities: CCF compulsory for 2 years at age 14, optional for sixth formers. Community service optional for sixth formers. Number of clubs and societies, eg drama, climbing, electronics, French, chess, public-speaking, animal ark, robot wars, internet, Young Enterprise.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, captain and vice captain, senior prefects, head of house and house prefects – appointed by the Headmaster or housemasters.
Religion: Non-denominational.
Social: Annual activity holidays and ski trips; exchange visits to Germany and France; rugby and hockey tours. Day pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Firm discipline. On Report system (weekly/daily/homework) for pupils under-achieving through lack of effort. Detention system – evening (staff), Saturday morning (Headmaster). Minor offences dealt with by counselling or detention. Major offences lead swiftly to suspension or expulsion. Any pupil caught taking or dealing in drugs would be expelled (no such instances to date).

Boarding 30% have own study bedroom; 60% share with one other; one dormitory of 6. Resident matrons. Central dining room. One weekend exeat every 3–4 weeks; flexible boarding arrangements. Visits to local town allowed.

Alumni association is run by Mrs Pamela Hayton, c/o the school.

Former pupils Prof E R Laithwaite (Imperial College, London); David W H Walton (Director of Research, British Antarctic Survey); Graham Clark (English National Opera); Sir Ian Byatt (Director General of Water Services); G Sagar (Professor of Botany, Bangor University); Rt Rev R Brown (former Bishop of Birkenhead); Barry Johnson (former President, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).