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Rydal Penrhos School
瑞德爾潘霍斯高中, Pwllycrochan Avenue, Colwyn Bay, North
Wales LL29 7BT
Tel: 01492 530155 Fax: 01492 531872
Website:
• BOYS, GIRLS, MIXED SIXTH, 11–18, Day & Boarding
• Pupils 394, Upper sixth 70
• Termly fees £2595–£3541 (Day), £5235–£5935 (Boarding), £4712–£5342 (Weekly)
• HMC, SHMIS
• Enquiries/application to the Principal
What it’s like
Formed from the merger between Rydal School, a Methodist boys’ school founded in
1885, and Penrhos College, an inter-denominational girls’ school founded in
1880. The school offers single-sex teaching between the ages of 11 and 16, with
a co-educational sixth form. The prep school, also co-educational, is on an
adjacent site. The school is built on rising ground within the conservation area
of Colwyn Bay, a small rural town overlooking the Irish Sea. It has excellent
facilities and accommodation, to which have recently been added a new library,
ICT suite, laboratories, sports hall and astroturf pitches. The teaching is good
and so are examination results. A very strong tradition in drama, art and music;
and an excellent record in games and sports, including county and international
representatives. A wide range of other activities offered, with emphasis on
sailing and outdoor pursuits (ideal because of the proximity of the sea and
Snowdonia) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Very active in charity
fundraising and community service.
School profile
Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 394 pupils, 276 day (145 boys, 131
girls), 118 boarding (69 boys, 49 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own tests
used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. Many pupils from own prep,
Rydal Penrhos Prep School.
Scholarships & bursaries Scholarships, exhibitions and bursaries:
academic, sport, art, music (most awarded at 11). Limited number of bursaries
for able pupils. Discounts for children of Methodist and Anglican ministers;
service bursaries.
Head & staff
Principal: Michael S James, in post from 1998. Educated at universities
of Oxford (geography) and Nottingham (education management, MPhil). Previously
Headmaster of Stafford Grammar School and Deputy Head at Newcastle under Lyme.
Also Fellow of Institute of Management.
Teaching staff: 42 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average
age 40.
Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 64 pupils in Year 11: approx 89% gained at least grade C
in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 62 (61 over 5 years).
A-levels: 70 in upper sixth. Average tariff points 259.
University & college entrance 95+% of sixth-form leavers go on to a
degree course. Others typically go on to HND or other courses in eg engineering,
business, tourism, nursing.
Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 24 GCSE subjects, 21 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level.
Key skills taught as discrete units but work from other subjects may contribute
to portfolio.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Specialist EFL teaching; learning support for
dyslexics.
Languages: French and German offered at GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular
exchanges.
ICT: Taught as a discrete subject (2 lessons a week in Years 7–9). 120
computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and
internet access.
The arts
Music: Over 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument, 50% are members of
a choir; instrumental exams can be taken. Numerous musical groups including
orchestra, blues/rock group, swing band, chamber and several choirs.
Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Strong
tradition of full public performance (productions very much a whole-community
event).
Art & design: GCSE, A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, 3D,
history of art, graphics also offered. Many pupils go to art & design colleges.
Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, athletics, swimming,
cross-country, basketball, volleyball, squash, weight and fitness training.
A-level sports studies offered. BAGA, RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. Pupils
compete at county, national levels at sailing, hockey, athletics, swimming,
cross-country and netball.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
(including community service) at age 14. Outdoor activities programme includes
climbing, canoeing, sailing, whitewater rafting, underground explorations,
horseriding, gorge scrambling, windsurfing, mountain biking, skiing,
orienteering. Up to 30 clubs, eg chess, debating, canoeing, charity, music, golf
and other sports.
School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form (when dark suits
are worn).
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, house
prefects – appointed by the Principal after consultation.
Religion: Compulsory morning prayers; Sunday morning service for
boarders.
Social: Social events with local schools. Trips abroad include skiing,
climbing (eg to Austrian Alps), sports tours eg Canada, Zimbabwe, Barbados,
Australia; exchange visits with European schools. Upper sixth day pupils allowed
to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. Several school
shops (tuck, stationery, books, second-hand clothes). No tobacco or alcohol
allowed.
Discipline Minor offences are dealt with by verbal reprimand,
repeating of poor work, contracting with a pupil on future behaviour and
standard of work and the deprivation of free time. Punishment for major offences
ranges from short periods of suspension to expulsion for repeated unacceptable
behaviour.
Boarding Sixth form in single or double study bedrooms; remainder in
rooms of 2–4. Single-sex houses of approximately 30. Resident qualified nurses,
local doctor. Central dining room. Pupils can cook snacks in house. Visits to
the local town allowed.
Alumni association is run by M T Leach, Secretary of the Rydal
Penrhos Society, c/o the school.
Former pupils Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton (historian); Professor Sir
Michael Thompson (Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University); William Roache
(actor in Coronation Street), Linus Roache (actor), Duncan Kenworthy (film
producer); Paula Yates; Janet Hargreaves (actress); Roberta Lamming (author); Dr
Kathleen Sherry (gynaecologist); Marjorie Young (golf); Moya Jackson (social
work, Philippines), Katy Cropper (‘One Man and His Dog’ TV series winner),
Angela Knight MP.
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