Churcher's College

Since 2004, Simon Williams BSc. Grew up in north Wales but boarded at Kingswood School in Bath; then Durham (biology) and PGCE at Cambridge. Cut classroom teeth at KCS, Wimbledon; head of science at Newcastle-under-Lyme School and then deputy at

Date of registration taken into account at 3+, though taster day identifies those (only a few) who might fare better in a less demanding setting: ‘they don’t have to be geniuses, but they need to be able to cope with the pace’. Further intakes at 4+

Majority transition to year 7, though pupils still sit entrance exam. Parents ‘buy into the school as a one-stop shop – they only have to make that decision once’. Those who ‘won’t thrive’ taken aside by the end of year 5 for a conversation about

In 2024, 74 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 56 per cent A*/A at A level.

‘Pace and breadth’ mark the school out, according to staff. Parents do indeed see it as the pacey option in the area. Nobody says ‘hothouse’ except in wanting to dispel that reputation, and we agree that Churcher’s is not one. Careful selection means

Five per cent on register with one-to-one support available. School ‘don’t claim to be set up particularly for SEN,’ says one mum, ‘but they’re very good to a point and they’ve done well by her’. No stigma, and teachers ‘exceptional’ at offering

Year 7 ‘Fresher’s Fair’ sets tone: pupils get a taste for everything. Around 60 per cent take individual music lessons in junior school as do 35 per cent of seniors. Each junior class forms an orchestra in lesson-time to gain ensemble experience (the

Gym, courts, fields aplenty at the junior school, including a low ropes course and trim trail; everyone uses pool at senior school. Super space at senior school given how central it is within town: lots of all-weather pitches, nets, 10 acres of

A big school: how do you make sure nobody slips through the net? House system crucial: head of house provides continuity of care throughout years 7 to 13. ‘We’ve worked hard to create a talking school’, deputy says. PSHE curriculum delivered by form

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Working families – ‘GPs, accountants, some London commuters, some not’ – from the area, lots quite involved in school life and taking nothing for granted. Wraparound care at minimal or no extra cost makes lives easier. Natural catchment has expanded

Foundation formed in 2012 to fund means-tested transformational bursaries up to 110 per cent. School simultaneously keeps fees competitive to allow access to a wide (or at least, wider) cross-section of the community.

You’ll find every opportunity you could hope for here at Churcher’s, the huge offering in adventure, sport and the arts providing an excellent ballast to all that hard work. Indeed, parents reckon they’ve hit gold. ‘Big enough to give a broad