Bancroft's School

Our View

A splendid school, catering for bright children and those who will seize opportunities. Deservedly over-subscribed. Brings glory to Essex well beyond its immediate catchment.

Head

Since January 2008, Mrs Mary Ireland BSc DipEd Member Soc of Biologists, Chartered Biologist (early fifties). Mrs Ireland's career began with Proctor and Gamble but light dawned and she took her teaching qualification and has taught all three sciences and maths in both state and independent schools. Prior to succeeding the very popular Dr Scott at Bancroft's, she was deputy head of Christ's Hospital before which she had been housemistress at Ardingly and head of science at King's Hall. Mrs Ireland – married, with a grown-up musician son – is brisk, open, energetic, easy to talk to, with an attractive Scots intonation. She is a true, professional head, clear about her modernising agenda – she lost no time in implementing changes – and as clear about the values upon which Bancroft's was founded and which still inform its ethos. She has clearly been won over by the school and its community, 'the buildings have a wow factor – though I tell parents that they are not what the school is about – but the thing that really appealed to me was the children. They are London children who tell it how it is, they are multi-racial, striving children who want to do well – they are incredibly competitive. They do everything here that we did at Christ's Hospital, only they cram it into a school day.'

Mrs Ireland is a safe pair of hands – and not hands that mind getting dirty – she cleared up a lunch that slid off a pupil's plate onto the floor when we visited. She is involved, busy and available. Some of her changes not entirely understood by school community – restructuring of the school council and the popular 'Stars in their Eyes' extravaganza being two. Introduction of new Virtual Learning Environment – internet school-home communications system – hit by predictable teething troubles and much groused about but will be a useful asset when smoothed out. She manages to teach some sixth form biology – we applaud. Bancroft's should continue to thrive under her eager eye and hands-on regime.

Academic Matters

Notable results across the board but maths is a star performer by any standards. In 2009, 81 per cent got A*/A at GCSE. English more of a spread despite reports of some brilliantly inspirational teaching. Modern langs getting a boost from a Mrs Ireland innovation of allowing a choice between French, German and Spanish. Greek and Latin have healthy numbers. Remarkable science results – especially in chemistry. Hist and geog also impressive. Few takers for art, music and DT – surprising given the facilities – but this is a school which takes its academics seriously. No trendy subjects though drama has just seduced its way into the timetable and options list. A particular, enlightened feature is that A level subjects can be chosen not, as elsewhere, from 'blocks' but from the whole curriculum. If they can manage it at Bancroft's, why not everywhere? A level results similarly impressive. Most popular are maths – 64 takers in 2009 – double the nearest most popular subject. Unique, as far as we know – and the results! – 61 of the 64 got A/B. Chemistry again popular and successful. Economics and geography good and, at this level, English also impresses. Greek and Latin survive though the numbers taking modern langs are, we would suggest, a cause for concern though may reflect the immense diversity of backgrounds here.

A place where serious learning happens and in which learning is taken seriously. The library, recently revamped with a stylish new mezzanine floor, beautifully integrated into the whole, is a proper scholarly resource – not something you see everywhere these days in which for 'library' you can so often read 'IT suite'. Pupils appreciate the library and its staff – 'they are fantastic – they get in anything you need'. New, university-type lecture theatre – used for societies, debates and visiting speakers. IT everywhere – lots of rooms with new PCs, including a brand new tip-top language lab which should give the langs a deserved boost.

Learning support dept screens all at 11+ (the prep also screens at 7+). Mrs Ireland appointed the school's first SENCo and has also ensured that all new staff get some training in SpLD. All on the LS register (mostly mild dyslexics) have an IEP and get some kind of individual support – the younger ones come out of different lessons each term and older ones get one-to-one. A TA helps in class those who are happy to be helped in that way. Lower sixth get help to 'develop individual learning skills'. 'They are wonderfully flexible over special needs,' says a parent.

Games, Options, the Arts

Sports are 'big' and well-resourced. Large playing fields on site plus vast sports hall with 25m pool. Five minutes away is school's own 'West Grove' with pitches, courts, tracks etc. Achievement to match – 2009 saw triumphs in netball, rugby and cricket as well as tours in these and hockey to eg New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Heartfelt pupil and parental complaints that sport is too elitist – 'if you're not in a squad they don't give a monkey's' – seen by Mrs Ireland as a priority and B and C teams now being developed, along with soccer. 'We are encouraging more staff to help so we can run more teams. It's something we need to work on'. CCF is huge, very popular and enthusiastically pursued by those who surprise themselves by how much they get out of it. 'It's taught me how to get on with people I'd never mix with normally.' 'It's good that the sixth form help with it – you can have a bit of a laugh with them.' Not common in what is still, more-or-less, a London school. Highest no of D of E gold awards of any London day school in 2009. Thriving Sea Scout group with cubs, scouts and explorer sections.

Equally, Mrs Ireland is determined to boost time for arts across the school and has already increased provision. Music and drama enthusiastic and popular – annual concert in Drapers' Hall the big annual event with bands, solo performances and musical mix the main features. Vast range of instruments studied – music maybe more pop and jazz than classical though we are told there are around eight classical concerts each year. Drama had a recent fillip with conversion of old gym to good, large new studio and subject now on the curriculum at all levels. Not all musicals here, either – The Caucasian Chalk Circle in 2009. Art, electronics and DT depts produce lively work – we liked the clever clocks, mobiles and the remote control cars and, within the remit of the task, pupils are given their head to be creative with the actual design. Art, exceptionally well-displayed throughout school, originates in one of two studios – light, spacious and full of quiet artists. Nice ceramics. Art could and should be bigger here – perhaps textiles – and photography – on the way – as more than a club? Tons of trips and tours – though some parental gripes about not enough places on trips for eager applicants. Extra-curricular stuff is good though some cries for more from the inexhaustible.

Background and Atmosphere

Founded in 1737 by the Drapers' Company on behalf of Francis Bancroft as a school for poor boys; moved to Woodford from Mile End in 1889 into the present large and imposing red-brick Victorian Gothic revival building – clearly designed to impress with serious scholarly credentials by architect, Sir Arthur Blomfield – also responsible for Selwyn College, Cambridge, The RCM, much of Charterhouse, The Bank of England, Wellington, Eton Lower Chapel etc etc as well as an astounding number of parish churches. This, one of his more benign and attractive buildings with towers, crenellations and Oriel windows, a splendid central quad and admirably generous corridors which, though originally intended for 200 boys, still feel spacious for today's quadrupled numbers. It's a truly impressive school with twisty brick staircases and leaded lights which grab eager ten-year-olds immediately – 'I chose it because it was like Hogwarts,' – a unique selling point in Essex, to be sure.

Some typically dismal 1960s add-ons but much better later additions and adjoining buildings eg vast head's house now used for admin and offices too – with head's garden open to everyone for quiet time and 'well-respected'. Integral chapel one of the best bits (complete with much-loved chaplain who is, 'lovely, a wonderful person for a chat, a laugh and advice – he takes Salsa club') – into which everyone comes once weekly for an ecumenical service. Brass plaques to former heads and a vast stained glass east window set the tone for the services which are inclusive in all ways, given the mix of pupils. Chapel also used for arts events – words and music etc – a classy extra-curricular feature here. Large Great Hall – typical of date and type. Excellent Courtyard Building with colonnaded atrium and sitting area, dining room – in which all eat together – servery and sixth form common room and cafe – large and well-used. Parental tributes to general efficiency of school and its communications. Sense of order, purposeful activity and common sense all-pervasive. Good food though popular vegetarian option can run out too fast for true veggie latecomers, we're told.

Pastoral Care and Discipline

When asked what was good about the school, all the parents and pupils we spoke to – lots – said, as with one voice, 'the pastoral care'. We can't recall such unanimity on any other school feature anywhere. Tributes to the teaching staff, the overall friendliness, the care and attention given to individuals pour from everyone and are a delight to hear. 'My teacher is amazing – he's given me extra lessons every week. He's ordered in around 30 extra books just to help me. They'll help with anyone – not just the Oxbridge candidates.' 'The teacher gave my daughter as much time as she needed when she was struggling,' 'The staff commitment is excellent; pastoral care couldn't be better'. 'My children love it – they look forward to every day.'

Pupils and Parents

From as far away as Potter's Bar, Winchmore Hill and Cheshunt though most from between 10 and 20 minutes drive away. Vast ethnic and social intake – 'very well-handled by school', say parents. Around 30-35 per cent S Asian, 10-15 per cent Jewish, 40 per cent 'white Essex'. Most parents first-time buyers who 'work very hard to pay fees'. OB notables include Dennis Quilley, Sir Frederick Warner, Sir Neil McFarlane, Hari Kunzru, Adam Foulds, Yolanda Browne, Andrew Saul, Anita Anand and Lord Pannick QC.

Entrance

At 11, 50 come up from the school's own prep. Around 400 apply for 60 additional places. Tests in maths and English plus interviews. In practice, around a third of those whose first choice is Bancroft's will get in. Umpteen feeders though several from St Aubyn's and Loyola. Around a quarter from state primaries. Candidates for the sixth need 6 As at GCSE plus the usual references. Around 20 places at this level – very few leave. .

Exit

Virtually all to worthy courses in worthy places – around 11 each year to Oxbridge and many more to eg Durham, Nottingham, Leeds and the London University colleges to read everything from architecture to zoology via medicine, management and Japanese.

Money Matters

Fifteen Drapers’ scholarships offered annually at 11+ worth a quarter to a half of fees. No means-testing – based solely on performance at entrance exams. Also music schols worth half or quarter fees plus free tuition in one instrument. Several Francis Bancroft schol awards - means-tested but with a generous financial threshhold.