ETHOS
High expectations and a culture of praise are, we believe, central to the success of our pupils. We make no apology for expecting our students to do well and we take every opportunity to congratulate and reward them, both individually and within groups. To this end we aim, in partnership with parents, to develop pupils’ abilities, moral judgement, self-awareness, wider spiritual awareness, and sensitivity to the full, so that they will:
- Achieve personal fulfilment through self-discipline and strive critically for excellence in all they undertake
- Acquire knowledge and skills appropriate to a rapidly changing world of work
- Respect the achievements of others
- Respond to others’ needs in the school, family and wider community
Pastoral Care
Every pupil is helped to develop to his/her maximum potential. There is no doubt that our high academic standards are the result of outstanding relationships between boys and teachers. We are not merely about examination results. An equal premium is placed upon events and activities outside the classroom as well as intellectual challenge and rigour within it. The wealth of activities on offer enable boys to develop their interests and skills. The staff are unstinting in their provision of a rich programme of in-school activities and events, expeditions, trips abroad, and challenges of all kinds. The pupils are interested, involved, lively and supportive; they have won international honours, are national competition winners or finalists, regional winners and they celebrate a tremendous number of diverse talents. Students are expected to be courteous, appropriately dressed, well mannered and tolerant. Everyone is treated as an individual and everyone’s views matter - from the smallest in Year 7 to the School Captain.
House System
With a thriving school community of 871 students, the School aims to teach pupils self-discipline and standards of behaviour are expected to be high. Boys are put into the 4 form groups alphabetically: Holland, Mildmay, Strutt and Tindal. Boys remain in these groups from Years 7-9. Then in Years 10 – 11 and in the Sixth Form they remain in the same House but different form groups are compiled. Each form in the school sends a representative to the School Council which meets twice a term. The council discusses matters of concern to pupils, and has its own budget with which it may improve the school. The School has a thriving House system of four day houses (Holland, Mildmay, Strutt and Tindal). Each House has a staff Head of House and a team of student House officials. Students compete throughout the year in sporting, musical and theatrical events to gain points towards the House Championship. Members of a house who have been particularly loyal will gain 'house colours'. New entrants to the school are generally allocated a House by being sorted in alphabetical order - however, if there is a family connection the pupil may choose to be in the 'traditional' family House. Students are awarded service ties for outstanding service in any area of school life. Recognition of effort and engagement is key. Subject progress is evaluated through termly effort grades. Every student is encouraged to participate, whatever his or her talents.
