Embley Park School: An educational charity conducted by a Board of Governors, who are members of the Governing Bodies Association, Embley Park is a SHMIS, co-educational school for boarders and day pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, set in its own grounds of 100 acres just outside of Southampton, thus making it easily accessible to mainline trains and airports. A good sound basic education is given, offering continuity from Nursery to 6th Form and enabling pupils to take GCSE, A/S and A Level examinations according to their ability. The staff ratio of 1:9 and House tutorial system, with record cards, ensure a close watch is kept on their progress. 80% of the Upper Sixth goes on to degree courses in a normal year.
Cricket, hockey, rugby and netball are the main sports, but a wide range of other activities is available. Pupils are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (4 Gold Awards in the last academic year). The commitment of the staff ensures the 260 senior and 140 junior pupils work and play in a friendly atmosphere, and helps them develop their character and personality.
Girls were accepted in 1994-95 throughout and already make a significant contribution to the life of the school. Numbers amount to 35% of school population already. New boarding facilities for girls were recently opened and nearly 50% of the girls are boarders. In the years 7-9 girls are a third, or more, of the school roll.
Embley has a wide ability range (100+ I.Q.), with some very bright, and some merely average, pupils. Although its league table position has been enhanced greatly in the past years, it has no further plans to become more selective and uses the yardstick of Cognitive Ability Tests at point of entry to evaluate its 'value-added' (average 133.5% GCSE 1994-96 ie the average candidate performed 33.5% above his or her potential). In 1995 and 96 the average GCSE pass rate A*-C was 83%.
Alumni - Michael Leapman, former campaigning Journalist of the Year; Professor Alastair MacAuley.
