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Tonbridge School,汤布里奇中学 Tonbridge,
Kent TN9 1JP
Tel: 01732 365555 Fax: 01732 363424
Website: www.tonbridge-school.co.uk
• BOYS, 13–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 735, Upper sixth 146
• Termly fees £5210 (Day), £7374 (Boarding)
• HMC
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

WHAT IT’S LIKE
Founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde, it expanded considerably during the 19th century to become one of the major public schools. It retains close links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners. The fine campus lies on the northern edge of the town. There are many handsome Victorian buildings to which there have been numerous additions in recent years to provide first-class accommodation and facilities, including a famous new Chapel organ and the 400-seat E M Forster theatre. Beautiful playing fields lie next to the school. A C of E foundation, there are some compulsory services and some emphasis on Anglican tradition and practice. There is a high standard of teaching, and examination results are outstanding. A large number of sixth formers goes on to Oxbridge each year. The music department is very strong and art and drama are very good too. The school has long had a high reputation for excellence in sports and games. There is a wide variety of these, and many boys have achieved county and international recognition. The CCF flourishes and there are numerous clubs and societies which cater for most needs. Very substantial commitment to local community schemes and a fine record in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.


SCHOOL PROFILE

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 13–18; 735 boys (315 day, 420 boarding).
Entrance: Main entry at age 13; a few at 16. Common Entrance and own scholarship exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6+ GCSEs with top grades in sixth-form subjects. No special skills or religious requirements (C of E foundation, but other faiths welcomed). Feeder schools include The New Beacon, Holmewood House, Dulwich College Prep School, Hilden Grange, Vinehall, Yardley Court.

Scholarships & bursaries 35 pa scholarships awarded at 13, value 17%–100% fees:
21 academic, 9–10 music, 4–5 drama, art, technology; 2 Cowdrey scholarships plus a few advance scholarships at 11 for primary school/prep school pupils; small number of sixth-form scholarships (academic and music). Variable number of foundation bursaries for individuals in need of assistance.

Parents 50+% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: J M Hammond, in post from 1990. Educated at Winchester and Oxford University (Lit Hum). Previously Headmaster at City of London School, Master in College (Housemaster of Scholars) and Head of Classics at Eton. Publications: Translation of Homer’s The Iliad (Penguin 1987), The Odyssey (Duckworth 2000).
Teaching staff: 90 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 6%. Average age 42.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 146 in fifth form, 99+% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 69 (68 over 5 years).
A-levels: 146 in upper sixth: 47% passed in 4+ subjects; 53% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 416.

University & college entrance Typically, 99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (45% after a gap year), 24% to Oxbridge. 6% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 25% in science & engineering, 41% in humanities (including languages), 26% in social sciences, 1% in music, 1% in art & design.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS/A-level subjects (including computer science).
Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3–4 at A-level; general studies taught but not examined. On average, 25% take science/maths A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 35% combinations. Key skills integrated into sixth-form programme but not examined.
Vocational: Work experience compulsory in fifth form.
Special provision: for mildly dyslexic pupils with above average IQs; EAL support for non-native speakers.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level (French compulsory for first year). Regular language visits (France, Germany and Spain).
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (leading to ECDL) and across the curriculum (mainly for GCSE and other projects). Approx 620 computers for pupil use (15+ hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access. Hundreds of applications available; centre of excellence for IT facilities.

The arts
Music: 56% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams are taken (some 30+ grade 8 annually). Some 12 musical groups including symphony, chamber and wind orchestras, chapel choir, choral society, concert band, string, wind and brass ensembles, jazz and rock groups. Several Oxbridge choral and organ scholarships; pupils in county youth orchestra, National Youth Wind Orchestra.
Drama: Drama offered at both GCSE and A-level. Many pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 15 A-level.

Sport & activities
Sport: Choice from wide range, including cricket, rugby, hockey, athletics, cross-country, football, rackets, climbing, sub-aqua, judo, basketball, golf, shooting, fives, squash, fencing, sailing, swimming, tennis etc. RLSS, RYA, BSAC scuba diving exams may be taken. Squash, shooting, county schools champion teams for many years; judo, golf, rackets, public schools champion teams in recent years; several county representatives (or higher) at cricket, hockey, athletics, cross country, rugby.
Activities: Pupils can take silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (27 silver, 8 golds in past 3 years). CCF optional; service scholarships in most years. Community service optional, lifesaving and lifeguard awards available. Over 30 clubs, eg most academic disciplines; hobbies such as bridge, chess, photography; activities such as debating, sub-aqua, creative writing; interests such as film, computing, natural history.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects and head boy (appointed by Headmaster); heads of house and house prefects (appointed by housemasters). School Council (boys from all age groups and houses, plus staff, advises Headmaster).
Religion: Compulsory chapel, Sundays and 4 mornings per week.
Social: Major choral performances, combined band concerts. Weekly lectures by distinguished speakers; girls from local schools for drama productions and dances; industry courses. Organised holiday trips to Italy, Greece, Russia, France, USA etc, plus European orchestral/choral tours, and regular sports tours to Europe and beyond. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals formal in houses. Sixth-form centre and social centre with café. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to do it, plus some extra, in own time; those involved with drugs on or off the premises may expect expulsion.

Boarding 70% have own study bedroom, 30% in dormitories of up to 6. Houses of approx 60. All rooms have networked computers, with e-mail and internet access 7am–10pm daily. Medical centre with Sister. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Flexible weekend leave plus 2 exeats (24 or 48-hour) and a half-term each term. Visits to local town allowed.

Former pupils Bill Bruford; Lord (Colin) Cowdrey; Christopher Cowdrey; Maurice Denham; Richard Ellison; Frederick Forsyth; Lord (Patrick) Mayhew; Vikram Seth; David Tomlinson; Benjamin Whitrow.