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Arnold School 阿諾德中學, 阿諾德學校

Lytham Road, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 1JG
Tel: 01253 346391 Fax: 01253 407245
• CO-ED, 2–18, Day
• Pupils 1133, Upper sixth 100
• Termly fees £1685–£2200
• HMC, IAPS
• Enquiries/application to the Principal

What it’s like
Founded in 1896, it is situated in Blackpool half a mile from the sea. It has adequate buildings and nearby playing fields. Considerable expansion in recent years has provided good up-to-date facilities, particularly in ICT. Originally a boys’ school, it first admitted girls in 1977 and is now fully co-educational. The aim is to inculcate lasting values of service, loyalty and self-discipline. Religious worship is encouraged and assemblies with a religious element are compulsory. It has a reputation for sound traditional academic training and examination results are very good. The school has strong back-up from old Arnoldians. There is a good range of sport and games. A bonus is the outdoor pursuits centre at Glenridding, described as a classroom in the Lake District. There is also an all-weather pitch. A very large CCF and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme are actively pursued.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 2–18, 1133 day pupils (537 boys, 596 girls). Senior department 11–18, 780 pupils (358 boys, 422 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 2, 5, 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (usually grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 60% of senior intake from state schools (plus 10% to sixth form). 40+% from own junior school (enquiries to the Headmaster's Secretary).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 25–30 pa scholarships at age 11, value £250–50% fees: 25 academic, 1 art & design, 2 sport, 4 music; also sixth form scholarships. Bursaries available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Parents 25% professionals, consultants, solicitors etc; 15% in hotel/tourism.

Head & staff
Principal: Barry M Hughes, in post since 2003. Educated at Salford University (applied chemistry). Previously Second Master at Dauntsey’s.
Teaching staff: 73 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 38.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 123 pupils in Year 11: 99% gained at least 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 58 (57 over 6 years).
A-levels: 103 in upper sixth: 93% passed in 4+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 409.

University & college entrance 93% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (9% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 13%% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 24% in science & engineering, 50% in humanities & social sciences, 6% in art & design, 8% in vocational subjects eg physiotherapy.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 28 AS/A-level subjects (including law, human biology).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take general studies AS and A-level.
Special provision: 2 special teachers help with learning difficulties, especially dyslexia.
Languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject in Years 7–11 and across the curriculum, eg databases in geography. 190 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with (filtered) e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Many musical groups including choir, orchestra, wind group, brass ensemble.
Drama & dance: Both offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and a few in house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 12 A-level. Design, pottery, photography also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, athletics compulsory for boys; hockey, netball, athletics, tennis for girls. Optional: swimming, squash, badminton, golf, fencing, rounders. 2 international rugby U18 representatives.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF compulsory for 3 years at age 13 (very large CCF contingent). Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, IT, drama, philately, golf, debating, science, French.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn; formal dress code in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Principal.
Religion: Encouraged (assemblies are compulsory).
Social: Debates, concerts, visits etc with local schools. Organised trips abroad for French, German, geology, geography; hockey tour of Holland, rugby tour of Canada, Australia and South Africa. Pupils allowed to bring own car, motorbike or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a homework detention.

Alumni association is run by D P Pantall, c/o the school.

Former pupils David Ball (Soft Cell); Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys); J Armfield; G Eastham; Sir Walter Clegg MP; Peter Boydell QC; T Graveney; Stanley Matthews (junior tennis); Sir William Lyons (Jaguar Cars); Keith Oates (Marks & Spencer); Peter Purvis (TV presenter).