What it’s like
Founded in 1583 by Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury, it has a particularly fine site of 150 acres in the pleasant valley of St Bees. The sea and a magnificent beach are within half a mile and it has easy access to the Lake District. There are extensive grounds and playing fields. The buildings are impressive, the older ones made of St Bees red sandstone; the original school building (1587) is now a dining hall. There have been substantial developments, including a refurbished music school and a sixth-form centre. Originally a boys’ school, it became fully co-educational in 1976. The aim of the school is to develop the individual talents of each pupil while providing an education based on Christian principles. Self-reliance, individuality and consideration for others are encouraged. The chapel is used frequently and worship is in the Anglican tradition. Academic standards are high and examination results good. The music, drama and art departments are strong. An excellent range of sports and games, including Eton fives and golf (the school has its own course); many county, regional and national representatives. Plentiful extra-curricular activities are available. CCF is compulsory for two years. Considerable emphasis is placed on outdoor pursuits for which the environment is ideal and adventure training forms part of the junior curriculum. The school’s international centre offers specialist English courses for overseas students.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 300 pupils, 163 day (90 boys, 73 girls), 137 boarding (83 boys, 54 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam at 11 and 13; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Good all-round ability looked for; no religious requirements. State school entry, 85% main intake.

Scholarships & bursaries Approx 8 pa scholarships, value 20%–40% fees: 1–3 music, others academic (awarded at 11, 13 and 16). Sixth form awards for art, music and sport. Small number of means-tested bursaries available each year.

Parents 50% live within 30 miles; up to 25% live overseas.

Head & staff
Head: Philip J Capes, in post from 2000. Educated at Brighton College and at Exeter University (engineering). Previously Deputy Head at Warminster School.
Teaching staff: 32 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 41.

Exam results GSCE: In 2003, 45 pupils in the fifth, 73% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 14% in 5+ subjcets. Average GCSE score 56 (58 over 5 years).
A-levels: 49 in upper sixth: 56% pass in 4+ subjects; 37% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 362.

University & college entrance Over 98% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (some to Oxbridge). 7% take courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 45% in science & engineering, 40% in humanities & social sciences, 4% in art & design, 4% in drama and music. Others typically go on to non-degree courses, art colleges etc.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 GCSE subjects, 18 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take A-level general studies. 30% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 30% both. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses, with additional lessons in support.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Specialist learning support and EFL departments.
Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. European students regularly on short stays in school.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including choir, orchestra, string group, brass, wind. Biennial choir tour to Europe.
Drama: Drama offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions or in other productions.
Art & design: On average, 12 take GCSE, 16 A-level. Pupils’ work regularly exhibited in local galleries.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, rounders, tennis compulsory. Optional: cross-country, athletics, squash, fives, golf, soccer, basketball, badminton, etc. A number of county and regional representatives in all major sports and national representatives in rugby and athletics.
Activities: CCF compulsory for 2 years from age 14, optional thereafter. Weekly adventure training in Years 7 and 8. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, classics, squash, shooting, Chinese, conservation, fives, lifesaving, video, Taekwon-do, Christian Union, electronics, circus skills, series of guest lectures.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Headboy and
headgirl, prefects, head of house and house prefects – appointed by the Head and senior
staff.
Religion: Regular worship in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. Religious studies courses cover world religion.
Social: Regular discos and annual balls, debates and lectures with other local schools. Trips abroad include sports tours, annual ski trips, language trips to France. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol at supervised sixth-form social events only.

Discipline High standards of conduct are expected and enforced. The scale of punishments varies according to the nature of the offence; pupils may be suspended or expelled for serious breaches of major school rules.

Boarding Single-sex houses divided by age. Qualified medical staff. Central dining rooms. Cooking facilities in houses. Extensive programme of weekend activities (included in boarding fee).

Former pupils W L Robinson; Professor R A McCance; Sir Kenneth Corley; Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker; Rowan Atkinson; P J Dixon; S J Reid.