Address: Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT.
Tel: 0181 748 9162, Fax: 0181 748 9557.
Pupils: Around 750 boys. Majority day: two boarding houses (around 75).
Ages: 13-18. Size of Sixth Form: 300. Church of England. Fee-paying.
HEAD:
Since 1992, Mr Stephen Baldock MA (early fifties).
Educated St Paul's (where he captained the cricket) then read Classics (part
one) and Theology (part two) at King's College Cambridge. Came back to St Paul's
to teach Classics, headed the boarding house, was Surmaster (= Deputy Head in St
Paul's speak) for eight years before being appointed to present job. Married to
doctor, lives just across the road, has four children, likes sports and plays in
staff teams. Knows the school inside out, obviously, and this should be a great
help to him. More 'hands on' than predecessor, spends more time in the school.
Thoughtful, easy to talk to, and - that much overused word - is approachable.
ACADEMIC MATTERS:
Unquestionably outstanding. Just to give you
an idea: of 1616 subjects taken at GCSE in '95, only five were below C,
Chemistry got 57 A*s, 10 As - and nothing else, maths, physics and biology show
similar patterns. If there is a poor relation it is economics, but we suspect
that this may be more to do with the examination board than the standard as it
afflicts practically the whole country.
Stimulating teaching, staff on top of the job. Lively debating style of teaching. Curriculum recently revised, so that all boys have to take an option in a practical subject from second year. Most boys take GCSE French and Maths at end of second year, and carry on with modular A-level French syllabus, which gives them extra strength in this. Outstanding Modern Languages, with French, Italian and German assistants. Japanese taught for Cambridge Certificate at Sixth Form. Very strong Science (separate Sciences and Nuffield Co-ordinated Sciences - dual award). Some outstanding English and History teaching and generally very strong Common Room (sabbaticals and exchanges encouraged to gee up flagging enthusiasms).
Maximum 24 per class, A-level classes average nine or ten. Impressively long detailed reports each term can reduce non-brilliant to despair. Three A-levels is 'the norm', but almost all do AS as well, interestingly enough, plus non-examinable General Studies.
GAMES, OPTIONS, THE ARTS:
Two- hour lunch break daily during
which boys are involved in a non- academic activity - e.g. rowing (impressive),
music, swimming. Games traditionally and actually strong, though 'it's OK', said
a pupil, 'if you're no good at them.' Cricket and rugby particularly lively -
results are variable from good to so so. School recommended by Lawn Tennis
Association for keen would-be tennis players. Good indoor pool, fencing salle
said to be best in Western Europe; fives a major game here. Rowing school.
CDT (Craft, Design and Technology) flourishes - super modern facilities, drama keen. Saturday mornings are taken up with games, rehearsals, extras (though not compulsory). Music news: there is a new director of music in '96 - Mr Mark Tatlow, whose previous post was chorus master at the Swedish Court Opera, no less. A new music building is 'in the pipeline'. There are some outstanding musicians in the school, and one or two top class staff. Some concerts given with St Paul's Girls'.
Stunning recently built palatial art department, with space for exhibitions and every resource and facility known to man - probably best school art centre in the country. Head of art = David Wakefield. The school has the cleverest student newspaper in the business , Black and White - heavy topics written in bright dynamic style, interspersed with witty bits e.g. 'Will Carling? Or more pertinently, Did Carling?'
BACKGROUND AND ATMOSPHERE:
Super site, with 45 grassy acres
(formerly reservoirs) sweeping straight down to the River Thames, the view of
which has been much spoilt by ghastly boarding-house buildings and other
purpose-built grimbo monstrosities - aesthetic considerations very low on St
Paul's agenda. Entrance hall/atrium in main block is the central gathering place
- like Grand Central Station - where messages are relayed out and boys to be
seen congregating at all hours. School founded in 1509 by Dean Colet, friend of
Erasmus and Thomas More, whose humanitarian principles still stand firm.
Trustees of the Foundation are the Worshipful Company of Mercers, who provide
much (too much?) of the governing body. School moved to its present site in
1968.
New boys coming from London preps may find Pauline life a bit unstructured. To participate in 'Apposition' is every boy's aim (four outstanding pupils speak/make music, etc., to assembled distinguished visitors, governors and parents). Boys bus in from all corners of the metropolis - can be difficult when clubs, societies demand their presence after bus leaving hours. Boarding houses are very useful for short-term stays either through demands of school, or when parents away. School has very down-to-earth, scruffy, grammar-school feel, with academic work the overriding priority. Very male atmosphere, without being macho.
PASTORAL CARE AND DISCIPLINE:
Tutor system, which Head is keen
to use as 'springboard' to promote feeling of school as community and to 'teach
them that people matter' (i.e., not just academic priorities). Head sees 1993
school photo (the first time whole school photographed since 1959) as 'big
moment'. Parents are asked to invite tutor (plus wife, if he has one) home for a
meal in the early days: communication is intended to be frequent and open. PSE
courses (relationships with girls, drugs, etc.) newly instigated, and
pre-university course on life with a capital F. Head agrees, somewhat
uncertainly, that any boy 'in possession of illegal substances should expect to
be expelled', but adds rider that 'you can't do a belt and braces on school
rules'. School has regular visits from psychiatrist/counsellor. Lively place,
and not easy to keep the lid on - many a slip between school and home, and
endless excuses for being anywhere but in the right place.
PUPILS AND PARENTS:
Drawn from all around London and from as
far away as Guildford and Windsor. Some from state schools. All sorts, no types,
though qualities which come up over and over again in Old Boys are doggedness,
head-down approach to life, street smart. Very articulate - always winning
public speaking competitions. Old Boys include John Milton, Edmund Halley,
Jonathan Miller, Peter Shaffer, Montgomery of Alamein, G K Chesterton.
ENTRANCE:
Tough: all but the brightest and best weeded out at
10/11; intake is 150/160 per year - 75 from Colet Court (see separate entry),
the rest from prep schools all round London - Newland House, Milbourne Lodge,
Durston House, Hill House - lots from here - , Rokeby, The Hall, The Mall, Tower
House, North Bridge House, etc. At 10 or 11, all prospective pupils and parents
come to the school: Head interviews parents, the Surmaster sees the boys and
afterwards they compare notes. Main lists close then and Common Entrance follows
on as qualifying exam. Boys must perform well in every subject.
EXIT:
Oxbridge (40-50 a year), with still more Bridge than Ox.
4-5 a year to art college. Otherwise, the older, popular universities
(Newcastle, etc.). Pupils go on to be lawyers, doctors, civil servants, one or
two to the Church. MONEY MATTERS: No art scholarships on entry, but yes at
Sixth Form (assuming two other subjects up to scratch as well). There are 153
scholars (as many as the miraculous draft of fishes - scholars wear a silver
fish badge): scholarships are mainly awarded on entrance, some develop in the
'Eighth', i.e. Sixth Form. Scholars integrated with the rest of the school.
Cases of genuine need catered for - school very well endowed. Assisted Places.
The basic term fee at time of writing is just under £2700 for day boys,
plus £1425 for boarding.
REMARKS:
Still reigns as one of the two top London academic
boys' day schools, if not the top one. More of a grammar school-y atmosphere
than the other one (Westminster), and maybe rather more prepossessing pupils.