Blundell's School A GSG School
- Blundell's School
Blundell's Road
Tiverton
Devon
EX16 4DN - Head: Bart Wielenga
- T 01884 252543
- F 01884 243232
- E [email protected]
- W www.blundells.org
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18.
- Read about the best schools in Devon
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Devon
- Pupils: 634 ; sixth formers: 200
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £17,340 - £26,595; Boarding £21,000 - £43,590 pa
- Open days: Mid September.
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Blundell's Preparatory School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
A Blundell’s education is about so much more than exams and results, which are very much regarded as a passport to the next stage, rather than an end in themselves. As such, pastoral care and the development of character (taught as a discrete lesson by the head) go hand in hand with academic life. The Ondaatje Hall, named for the generous OB and philanthropist who endowed it, is the jewel in the crown of performing arts facilities - used mostly for drama, and on the day we visited, the scene of an A level devised piece on the rituals of going out, something close to sixth formers’ hearts post-pandemic, we imagine. The range of…
What the school says...
Blundell's was founded more than 400 years ago. We combine traditional values with the best of modern teaching methods, facilities and pastoral care. Academic excellence lies at the school's heart and we believe our strength is in the diversity of options which gives every pupil a chance to shine. Blundells also has a richly deserved reputation in sport, drama and music.
Equal importance is placed on pastoral care and developing the whole person: courtesy and good manners are deeply rooted in Blundellians and strong, supportive friendships ensure that community life at the school is richly rewarding. These qualities, together with the intellectual, physical and cultural interests they develop at Blundells, provide pupils with skills for life. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2018, Bart Wielenga BCom BEd, former deputy. Born in Holland but brought up and educated in South Africa with degrees in economics and HR, Mr Wielenga was all set for a career in management consulting until, as he laughingly admits, he was ‘conned into teaching’ during his postgrad gap year. Spells at Michaelhouse in Kwa Zulu Natal and at Wellington College as head of economics and housemaster preceded his arrival at Blundell’s in 2012 – ‘I have never minded the idea of a doing a long apprenticeship,’ he muses – where he has turned his unflinching gaze on process in the school.
‘Results are the product of good process, especially as we are not particularly academically selective,’ he states firmly, adding that academic and pastoral aims must be...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
There are about 150 pupils in the school with special needs of one sort or another, so we are very much aware that some children need special help and there is close liaison between the English department and other subject teachers. SpLD. pupils are tested informally in the Learning Support Department and given help by a highly experienced Learning Support teacher, or her assistant. This support usually takes place once or twice a week, by withdrawal. As it is a specialist individual requirement, there has to be a termly charge. Learning support staff report regularly on the progress of the, 80 or so, students they currently see. Work is centred on discovering what the individual's problem is and concentrating on it. Poor spelling is covered by repetitive work on basic rules, indifferent vocabulary by extension and slow reading by improvement of skills. Pupils are given support in subject areas where they are having problems. A great effort is made to spark imaginative writing. Dyslexics are encouraged to devise strategies to overcome difficulties of spelling and organising work. For some this may include the use of special filters or glasses as well as the use of techniques such as mind mapping or visualisation. Dyslexic diagnostic tests (Aston, Digit Span, etc.) at a simple level are given and referral made, where necessary, for full testing to enable students to claim extra time allowance in public examinations. Official testing is usually done by Dr Hornby from St. Luke’s, Exeter. Her certification is accepted by exam boards and tests are usually carried out in the Autumn. About twenty-five pupils are tested each year. In 2002 for the first time, the Boards agreed to accept just one certification for the student’s entire secondary career. (In Further Education, such certification often entitles students to IT equipment discounts.) There are no standard textbooks, as worksheets are prepared individually. However Hornsby's "Alpha to Omega", Butterworth's "Using the Oxford Dictionary" and The Sunday Times "Word Power" are helpful. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Syndrome: it is very difficult to pinpoint or label problems as every child is different, but at Blundell’s we aim to ensure sympathetic treatment, individual support and a positive approach, focussing on the learning difference with its positives rather than any negative associations connected with a learning disability. It is not unusual for dyslexic pupils, with the full extra time allowance in exams, to gain the highest grades in both GCSE and A level examination. Above all, our students are taught to think of themselves as Blundellians, not as Dyslexics, developing confidence and expertise in as many areas as possible.
Condition | Provision for in school |
---|---|
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
Aspergers | |
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
Dyscalculia | |
Dysgraphia | |
Dyslexia | |
Dyspraxia | |
English as an additional language (EAL) | |
Genetic | |
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
Has SEN unit or class | |
HI - Hearing Impairment | |
Hospital School | |
Mental health | |
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
PD - Physical Disability | |
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Exeter Cathedral School | 2023 | 12 | 8 | 1 Head’s Award, 1 Art and Music Scholarship, 3 Sports Scholarships, 1 Sport exhibition and Choral Scholarship, 1 Music Scholarship, 1 Academic Scholarship |
Perrott Hill School | 2023 | 3 | 2 | 1 Headteacher's Award; 1 Sport Scholarship |
St Peter's Preparatory School | 2023 | 2 | 2 | Drama Scholarship; Sports Scholarship |
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