.What it’s like
Founded in 1749, originally to provide an education for the sons of deceased clergy of the Church of England and the Church of Wales. It moved from London to its present site in 1855 where it lies on a spur of the Downs in 60 acres of fine grounds a mile from Canterbury, with a magnificent view of the city and its cathedral. It enjoys substantial and well-designed buildings (the main structure, in Kentish ragstone, dates from 1855). There has been much expansion since 1975 and it is now very well equipped. The junior school is housed in a separate building and a self-contained wing of the main building. Girls were admitted 15 years ago and it is now fully co-educational. The Christian basis of the school continues to be of prime importance and the chapel plays a central role in the life of the school. The declared aim is to provide the widest possible opportunities for the individual, to develop his or her talents to the utmost and to provide a high level of pastoral care within a framework of firm but understanding discipline. Academic standards are high and examination results good. Music is very strong indeed and there are numerous ensembles (thirty Cathedral choristers in the junior school). Sports and games are well catered for and played to a high standard. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including a strong CCF (Army section), the British Association of Young Scientists and Young Enterprise and local community services.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 561 pupils, 444 day (265 boys, 179 girls) 117 boarding (76 boys, 41 girls). Senior department 13–18; 284 pupils (165 boys, 119 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (B in sixth-form subjects). Small state school intake to senior school; many from own junior (enquiries to The Master, St Edmund’s Junior School, same address).

Scholarships & bursaries 18–25 pa scholarships, value 10%–50% fees: academic, all-rounder, sport, art, drama and music (1–2 at 11, variable number at 13 and 2–3 at 16); also chorister scholarships (boys 7–9). Variable number of bursaries. Fee reductions for children of service/diplomatic personnel, clergy and former pupils.

Head & staff
Headmaster: A Nicholas Ridley, in post from 1994. Educated at Clifton and Oxford University (modern languages).
Teaching staff: 67 full time, 15 part time. Turnover under 10%. Average age 35.

Exam results
GCSE: On average, 55 pupils in upper fifth: 77% gain at least grade C in
8+ subjects, 21% in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 56 (53 over 5 years).
A-levels: On average, 52 in upper sixth: 66% pass in 3+ subjects; 23% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 327.

University & college entrance 90% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 5% to Oxbridge. 8% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 20% in science & engineering, 10% in law, 50% in humanities & social sciences, 5% in art & design, 5% in vocational subjects eg sports science, business management. Others typically go on to employment, HND or art foundation courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 19 AS/A-level.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take schools own general studies programme (not examined). Key skills covered in general studies; all Year 12 take level 3 communication; IT and use of number not assessed. 28% take maths/science A-levels; 41% arts/humanities; 31% both.
Languages: French and German offered to GCSE and A-level. Links with schools in France and Germany; annual sixth-form business studies trip to Paris.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson a week) and across the curriculum; most pupils take City & Guilds basic ICT. 80 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; musical exams can be taken. 16 musical groups including choral society, chapel choirs, madrigal group, symphony and string orchestras, wind and jazz band, percussion ensemble. Regional winners of National Concert Band Festival; 7 in county youth orchestras; several individual festival winners.
Drama & dance: GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies can be taken. Many pupils involved in school and house productions. Recent productions of The Boy Friend, The Mikado, Godspell (which transferred to the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury).
Art & design: Ceramics, textiles, photography and printing also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Compulsory; choice of soccer, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming, cross-country, badminton, basketball, netball, rounders, squash, volleyball, aerobics, dance, fitness training, gymnastics. Optional: golf, judo, fencing, table tennis, riding, ice-skating, sailing. GCSE and A-level sports studies offered, also BAGA and CFS sports studies. Current representatives: 1 England athlete; county players in hockey, golf, squash, swimming, cross-country; many district cross-country and athletics reps.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF compulsory for 1 year at age 14, optional at other ages (over 13). Community service optional. Over 50 clubs or activities including photography, film, natural history, model railway, chess, brewing, CD, rock band workshop, science, debating, literary, geographical, choreography.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl, prefects, head of house and house prefects – appointed by the Headmaster.
Religion: Religious worship compulsory.
Social: Chapel services, dances/balls, quizzes with other local schools. Exchanges with France and Germany; trips abroad to eg Iceland, Austria, Canada, Italy. Pupils allowed to bring their own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service (except eg Christmas dinner). School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a revised deadline and report card on every lesson.

Boarding Up to 50% have own study bedroom, others share; some have ensuite facilities. All in one house, divided by age group and sex. Resident qualified nurse. Pupils can provide and cook food. Exeats possible each weekend. Visits to local towns allowed on Sundays and twice a week (13–16-year olds) plus 1 evening a week for those 17+.

Former pupils Robin Jackman (test cricketer); Roger Royle (TV and radio cleric); Frederick Kempf (Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition 1998); Orlando Bloom (actor).