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The Arts Educational School藝術教育學校 Tring Park, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5LX
Tel: 01442 824255 Fax: 01442 891069

• CO-ED, 8–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 276, Upper sixth 38
• Termly fees £3740–£5850 (Day), £5150–£7270 (Boarding)
• SHMIS, BSA
• Enquiries/application to the Registrar

What it’s like
Established in Tring in 1945, it is set in 17 acres of attractive and secluded grounds. The school is principally housed in a superb mansion, formerly the home of the Rothschild family. Originally a girls’ school, boys were first admitted in 1993 and the school is now co-educational throughout. A large staff permits an unusually good staff:pupil ratio. All pupils are prepared for GCSE and most stay to take A-levels. The vocational courses in dance, drama and musical theatre are fundamental to the curriculum and prepare pupils to a high standard. It is one of the few schools attracting government help for pupils under the Music & Dance Scheme. Combined with a thorough academic education they provide the foundation for entry to dance, drama or music colleges or degree courses. The purpose above all is to create first-class communicators. Naturally standards of achievement in music, drama and dance are distinguished and there is a large number of performances each year. The school is closely involved with local churches and also with various charities. Religious worship is compulsory.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 8–18, 276 pupils, 95 day (24 boys, 71 girls) 181 boarding (26 boys, 155 girls). Senior department 11–18.
Entrance: Main entry ages 8–14 and 16. Entrance by audition and academic test; for sixth-form entry, audition and preferably GCSE grade B in sixth-form subjects. Special skills required in music, dance and drama, varying according to course applied for; no religious requirements. 50% of senior intake from state schools (plus 25% of new entrants to sixth form).

Scholarships & bursaries 4 pa performing arts scholarships, value 33% fees (2 at 11, 2 at 16). Aided places available, under the government’s Music & Dance Scheme. Discretionary grants may be available from local authorities.

Parents 38% live within 30 miles, up to 8% live overseas.

Head & staff
Principal: Stefan Anderson, appointed 2002. Educated at Carleton University, Ottawa, and at Royal College of Music and Cambridge University. Previously Director of Music at The King’s School, Canterbury.
Teaching staff: 27 full time, 23 part time. Annual turnover 2%. Average age 40.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 28 in fifth form. 83% gained grade C or above in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 52 (49 over 5 years).
A-levels: 31 in upper sixth; most passed in 2+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 270.

University & college entrance Most pupils go on to further training in the performing arts or to degrees in the arts and humanities, followed by careers in the theatre or media. A significant minority go on to degree courses unrelated to the arts.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 15 GCSE subjects, 16 AS/A-level (including theatre studies, dance and music).
Sixth form: General studies and key skills not taught.
Vocational: Clait and RSA word processing qualifications offered; also RAD and ISTD dance up to teaching qualifications; Guildhall drama (acting and solo speech) to grade 8.
Special provision: Specialist members of staff give help as required.
Languages: French (compulsory age 11–13) and German offered to GCSE and A-level; also Spanish A-level.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum, eg data-logging in science. 20 computers for pupil use, all networked and with e-mail and internet access. Most pupils take Clait in Year 9.

The arts
Music: Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 7 musical groups including choirs, saxophone group, orchestras. Chamber choir runners-up and previous winners of Sainsbury’s choir of the year competition.
Drama & dance: GCSE drama, A-level in theatre studies, dance and performing arts; Guildhall, ISTD, RAD exams may be taken. All pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions.
Art & design: Compulsory for all to GCSE, on average take 10 A-level in art & design.

Sport & activities
Sport: Swimming.

School life
Uniform: School uniform Years 1–5; sixth form uniform for special functions.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head pupil, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Principal in consultation with staff and pupils.
Religion: Compulsory worship.
Social: Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Any students caught taking drugs on the premises would be expelled.

Boarding All pupils in shared rooms in five houses, divided by age group. Two qualified nursing sisters. Central dining room. Half terms (one week) and two weekend exeats per term; weekly boarding in prep department. Visits to local town allowed (accompanied at weekends to age 13); sixth formers can go out at weekends if classes and duties allow.

Former pupils Jane Seymour, Stephanie Lawrence, Anna Carteret, Gillian Lynn, Thandie Newton, Lia Williams, Caroline Quentin, Emma Cunniffe.