At Ipswich School we maintain a 600 year old tradition of providing high quality education and a training for life beyond school. In September 1997 girls joined the Senior School at age 11: there are already girls and boys in the Prep School and the Sixth Form. The success we achieve with each boy or girl has less to do with ability than with commitment. Regular homework, sport for all, and the supervision of private study in the first year Sixth Form in the fine modern library all make demands of pupils, but together produce an attitude to study which brings rich rewards. Our aim is to open windows onto the world of learning and to instil a sense of wonder and respect in our pupils. Following this comes a sense of purpose and vocation.
Mathematics, English Language and Literature, French, and either Coordinated or separate Sciences are taken by everyone in GCSE. Pupils are also examined in three or four other subjects, chosen from History, Latin, Geography, German, Russian, Design Technology, Classical Civilisation, Art and Music. Sixth Form subjects are chosen from Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Classical Civilisation, Business Studies, Economics, Art, Music, History, Geography, English, French, German and Russian. All Sixth Formers participate in a General Studies course. Pupils are given career guidance from Year 9 upwards. Extra-curricular activities include sports, community service, Duke of Edinburgh and CCF. The School has flourishing choirs, bands, orchestras and chamber groups. At least 8 dramatic productions are staged each year. Each pupil has one Chapel service a week and one Sunday service per term. In 1990 the School's Performing Arts Centre was refurbished. 1991: new IT Centre opened, indoor pool refurbished; 1993: new Sports Hall opened; 1994: new Chemistry and Biology laboratories opened; 1998 Design Technology extended.
Ipswich School has its own Preparatory School for boys and girls from 3 to 11.
For pupils from overseas, or who live too far away for daily travel, the School offers full or weekly boarding. Occasional boarding for parents' convenience is also an option.
Alumni - Cardinal Wolsey; Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk; Rear Admiral Sir Philip Broke; Henry Rider Haggard; Sir Edward Poynter; Charles Keene; Edward Ardizzone; Sir Charles Sherrington.
