This North Staffordshire day school was founded in 1874 and is set in 30 acres of grounds in a quiet suburb close to the centre of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The School attracts pupils from a large area of North Staffordshire and surrounds and coaches are organised to transport pupils from many areas. The School has excellent facilities, which include language, science and computer laboratories, workshops, a music school, an art and design centre, two libraries, sports halls and an indoor swimming pool. Extensive playing fields are adjacent to the School.
The School has built up a strong academic reputation over the years and pupils are encouraged to realise their full potential, both academically and otherwise. The School structure combines in one school predominantly single sex teaching between the ages of 11 and 16, within a co-educational environment, with co-education in the Sixth Form. Nearly all of the Upper Sixth leavers take up places at university and the School gives extensive advice on both careers and higher education. In 1996, 10 students gained places at Oxford and Cambridge and 26% of the Advanced Level entries were awarded the top grade A. At GCSE, nearly 50% of the results were at grades A* and A, with all GCSE candidates achieving grades A*-C in 5 or more subjects.
The School is also well known for its high standards in games, music and drama and a very wide range of extra-curricular activities are offered. On the games field, school teams, and individuals, meet with much success and there were no fewer than 4 internationals among its pupils in 1996. More than 300 pupils receive instrumental tuition, and there are usually some 7 or 8 major concerts and 4 drama productions each year.
The co-educational preparatory department, Orme House, adjacent to the Senior School, reflects the ethos of the Senior School and offers to younger children between the ages of 8 and 11 a very sound preparation for secondary education both within the classroom and outside.
Entrance scholarships, Sixth Form mathematics and physics scholarships and some 78 Assisted Places under the DFE Scheme are awarded annually.
