In 1995, Rydal School and Penrhos College joined together under the name of Rydal Penrhos. The school accepts boys and girls between the ages of 2.5 and 18, both as boarders and day pupils. At the transfer to the Senior School at the age of eleven, girls have the unique option of continuing in a coeducational setting or proceeding to our girls-only division. Families who have children with a wide spread of ages and who may need different styles of education may therefore look to Rydal Penrhos for all their requirements.
The school is blessed with a safe environment of the most outstanding natural beauty. With the sea on the doorstep and with a backcloth of grandeurs which form the Snowdonia National Park, pupils and parents could not wish for a more inspiring setting for both study and for recreation.
This setting enables us to provide a most impressive programme of activities outside classroom hours. Nonetheless, it is academic study which is the educational mainspring of the school. Most Sixth Formers proceed to the degree courses, including Oxbridge, and the school is proud both of the distinguished achievements of former pupils and the examination successes achieved year on year by current pupils.
Scholarships are awarded to pupils aged 11 and 13 and at age 16 for entry to the Sixth Form. Awards are made for general academic ability as well as for more specialist abilities in music and art & design. The school also participates in the Government's Assisted Places Scheme for pupils aged 7, 11 and 16.
As you would expect, teaching facilities are of the highest order with excellent additional provision for musicians, artists and those interested in drama. Sporting honours are won regularly by Rydal Penrhos pupils at both county and national level. With two 25m indoor heated swimming pools, a full range of courts and gymnasia, fleets of sailing craft and some of the most impressive pitches in the region, the school is able to cultivate a foundation of fitness in each pupil which will continue into adult life.
Entry to the Senior School is by written test, interview with the Headmaster and school report.
Alumni - Michael Arditti (Author & Critic); Alfred Bestall (Illustrator, Rupert Bear); Geoffrey Elton (Late Professor of History, Cambridge University); Lewis Elton (Professor of Higher Education University College London); David Hartley (Chief Executive, UKERNA); Brian Kay (Broadcaster, BBC Radio 3); Duncan Kenworthy (Producer, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'); William Roache (Actor, 'Coronation Street'); Michael Thompson (Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham University); Dafydd Wigley (President, Plaid Cymru); Bleddyn Williams (Welsh International Rugby Player); Wilf Wooller (International Sportsman).
