►►►其它中学

Solihull School 瑟里胡学校, Warwick Road,
Solihull, B91 3DJ
Tel: 0121 705 0958/4273
Fax: 0121 711 4439
Website: www.solsch.org.uk
• BOYS, MIXED SIXTH, Boys 7–18, Girls 16–18, Day
• Pupils 964, Upper sixth 139
• Termly fees £1960–£2515
• HMC
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1560, it has occupied its 50-acre urban site close to the town centre since 1882. The original Victorian building was modernised in 1989 and recent developments have included a theatre, library and resource centre and pavilion. The school has over 50 acres of playing fields and a floodlit artificial pitch. The junior school, in modern buildings, is an integral part of the school. The moral and spiritual welfare of pupils is regarded as very important. A broad, traditional education is provided and results are very good. Music is very strong – musical groups include chapel choir, orchestras and jazz band. Drama and art are also well supported. There is a good deal of emphasis on competitive sport and games; county and national representatives, particularly in rugby, cricket and sailing. There is the normal range of games as well as shooting, sailing and golf. There is a voluntary CCF and considerable commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Service to the community and to others in the school is a valued part of the curriculum. Numerous clubs and societies cater for many interests. Much enterprise is shown in the arrangement of overseas tours and trips.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18, 964 day pupils (841 boys, 123 girls). Senior department 11–18, 816 pupils (693 boys, 123 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 7–11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; ability in key academic subjects (especially English and maths) and encouraging school reports looked for. For sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade B. No religious requirements. State school entry about 50%.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Up to 32 pa scholarships, value 25%–50% of fees, including academic, music, art & design. Means-tested assisted places at 11, 13 and 16 (to a total value of 8 full fees pa). Parents not required to buy textbooks; average extras £10 per term.

Head & staff
Headmaster: John Claughton, appointed 2001. Educated at King Edward’s Birmingham and Oxford University (classics). Previously Housemaster at Eton.
Teaching staff: 83 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 7%.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 90 pupils in upper fifth: 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 64 (63 over 5 years).
A-levels: 146 in upper sixth: 10% passed in 4+ subjects; 89% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 326.

University & college entrance 94% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (few after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 13% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 31% in science & engineering, 10% in law, 38% in humanities & social sciences, 2% in art, 6% in other subjects eg music. Others typically go on to art college.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 17 GCSE subjects, 24 AS/A-level (including business studies, design and theatre studies).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, AS-level general studies is encouraged (A-level optional). 28% take science A-levels; 44% arts/humanities; 28% both.
Languages: French (compulsory from 11), German and Spanish (from 12) all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; Mandarin Chinese offered in sixth form. Up to 70% of pupils take GCSE in more than 1 language. Regular exchanges.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson a week in year 7) and across the curriculum. 200 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), almost all networked and with e-mail and internet access; all pupils have personal e-mail address and filtered web access.

The arts
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 23 musical groups, including chapel choir, 3 orchestras, wind ensemble, jazz band, jazz singers, choral society. 7 places at music academies, 6 choral and 4 organ scholarships since 1994.
Drama: Theatre studies offered at AS and A-level. Strong tradition in producing musicals. 7 recent members of National Youth Theatre.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 15 A-level. 3D design, ceramics and photography also offered. A number go on to art foundation courses.

Sport & activities
Sport: Gymnastics, swimming, athletics, basketball, rugby, cricket, hockey, athletics, sailing, tennis for boys; for girls, netball, hockey, athletics and swimming. Later options: squash, badminton, weight training, lifesaving, cross country, sailing, fitness, shooting, clay pigeon shooting, golf, self-defence, volleyball. Pupils may take RLSS, RYA and ASA exams. Regular county representatives in variety of sports; divisional and national reps in (recently) rugby, cricket and sailing. Recent hockey and rugby trips to Australia and South Africa.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (400 awards in last 15 years). CCF and community service optional. School cottage in Snowdonia, used by various groups (all 12-year-olds spend a week there). Up to 35 clubs including sports, music, debating, Christian discussion circle, computer, drama, science and technology.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl and school prefects, appointed by Headmaster.
Religion: C of E foundation.
Social: Participates in many local competitions (team games, chess, public-speaking etc); state/independent partnership with Small Heath School. Regular exchanges with pupils in France, Germany and Spain; World Challenge expedition (eg Peru 2003); classical tours of Greece; history trips to Normandy; skiing parties. Meals self-service. School shop. No alcohol or tobacco allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework could expect detention; those caught dealing in cannabis could expect expulsion.

Alumni association is run by Mr R Jerrom, President OSA, c/o the school.

Former pupils Michael Buerk (BBC); David Briggs (organist); Lord Butterfield (ex-Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge University); Sir Oliver Wright (ex-ambassador to USA); Mr Justice Owen; Sir Derek Higgs (merchant banker).