Austin Friars St Monica's School 奧斯汀學校

奧斯汀中學

Austin Friars St Monica's School

Austin Friars St Monica's 奧斯汀中學， Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9PB
Tel: 01228 528042 Fax: 01228 810327
Website: www.austinfriars.cumbria.sch.uk
• CO-ED, 3–18, Day
• Pupils 471, Upper sixth 42
• Termly fees £1277–£2666
• SHMIS
• Enquiries/application to the School Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1951 and originally a boys’ school, girls were first accepted in 1986. It is situated in spacious grounds overlooking the historic city of Carlisle. A Catholic foundation, it is open to all denominations. The aim is to foster pupils spiritually, academically, socially and physically and all pupils are encouraged to develop their potential. A wide-ranging education is provided and examination results are good. There is a variety of sports and activities and a number of county representatives; it was recently awarded a Sportsmark gold award. An increasing commitment to local community schemes and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Good use is made of the cultural and physical attributes of the Borders and Lake District.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 3–18; 471 day pupils (258 boys, 213 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 5, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 4+ good GCSEs (preferably grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required; a Catholic foundation but all denominations welcomed.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 7 pa scholarships, value £1232–£3032: most awarded at 11. Variable number of means tested bursaries. Parents not expected to buy books; average extras, £100.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Christopher Lumb, in post from 2004. Educated at universities of Cambridge and Manchester (chemistry, PGCE). Previously Deputy Head at Mount St Mary's College (Spinkhill).
Teaching staff: 39 full time, 8 part time. Average age 39.

Exam results
GCSE: 37 in fifth form, gaining at least grade C in an average of 8 subjects, with GCSE score 53 (58 over 5 years).
A-levels: 34 in upper sixth. 62% pass in 4 subjects; 29% in 3 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 389.

University & college entrance 95% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (5% after a gap year). 10% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 12% in science & engineering, 12% in law, 19% in humanities & social sciences, 15% in art & design, 24% in vocational subjects.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 18 AS/A-level subjects.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level, usually a broad range; in addition, most take A-level general studies. 35% take science/engineering A-levels; 33% take arts/humanities; 32% both. Key skills are taught in discrete units and incorporated into A and AS-levels.
Vocational: RSA course in Clait for pupils, staff and parents.
Special provision: Help for dyslexic pupils.
Languages: French and Spanish offered at GCSE and A-level. Pupils in school from France, Spain and occasionally Italy.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons a week) and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: 32% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6 musical groups: band, chamber music groups, choirs, brass ensemble. Members of city, county and regional youth orchestras.
Drama & dance: Both offered. LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 5 A-level. Photography, graphics, batik, 3D also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, basketball, tennis, netball, dance, gymnastics, volleyball, cross-country, swimming compulsory. Optional: orienteering, soccer, badminton, canoeing, golf. County representatives at rugby, hockey, tennis and cross-country; national tennis finalists; county honours in wide range of sports. Sports Council Gold Sportsmark Award.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional at age 14. Regular mountaineering expeditions to French and Austrian Alps; Adventure course to Spain; climbing/walking trips to Scotland and Lakes. Up to 15 clubs, eg computer, debating, chess, bridge, indoor cricket.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn; sixth form may also wear suits.
Houses & prefects: 3 competitive houses. Prefects, school captains, head of house and house prefects appointed by the Headmaster and housemasters/mistresses.
Religion: Assembly compulsory three days a week. All invited to attend Mass during the week.
Social: Public-speaking competitions, choral works, careers conventions. Organised trips abroad to eg France, mountaineering expeditions (eg Alps), adventure course (Spain etc). Sixth formers may bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Lunch self-service. School tuck shop and clothing shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol on supervised social occasions.

Discipline High expectations of personal and social conduct, managed by peer review, prefect system, staff disciplinary system. A pupil being discourteous would result in a reprimand and encouragement to improve behaviour; a pupil caught smoking cannabis on the site would expect to be excluded.