New Hall School

Since 2001, Katherine Jeffrey, the longest serving head of an HMC school. Previously deputy head at The Marist School in Ascot and before that, head of religious studies at Woldingham School. ‘Tough’ education at a Berkshire comp, followed by BA in

Moderately selective, with around three applicants for each of the 120 year 7 places. Around 40 pupils come up from New Hall’s own year 6. They get priority despite going through same entry procedure as external applicants - ISEB Common Pre-tests,

Around 20 per cent leave after GCSEs. Nearly all sixth formers to university, around 85 per cent to Russell Group. LSE, UCL, KCL and Imperial all feature, along with Exeter, Durham, Loughborough and Nottingham. Popular subjects include law, politics

In 2025, 65 per cent 7-9 at GCSE; 42 per cent A*/A at A-level (75 per cent A*-B).

One of under 20 schools in the country with a diamond model, meaning that younger years and sixth form are taught in co-ed classes, while years 7-11 are separated into single-sex lessons (except for cookery, drama and music, which remain co-ed).

No chilly east wing for learning support here - the department is housed in the main building in a neat suite of four small classrooms equipped with write-on desks, while pot plants create a homely atmosphere. No wonder we found pupils looking so

Music is a big deal, kicking off in year 7 with a compulsory choir. ‘It is so important to catch them and let them see how brilliant it is to sing,’ says head. Plans to extend this by an extra year if they can get the boys’ voices to behave

Sport is a serious business, with the school providing county and national athletes including golf and equestrian champions, plus star swimmers, cricketers, tennis, hockey and rugby players. One parent warned that the standard ‘can be quite

Around 480 pupils board – a third of those full-time, the rest flexi up to six nights a week. More expected with the opening of the new Beaulieu Park mainline station, which will speed students from London Liverpool Street to the edge of the school

Parents rate the pastoral care. ‘They always have someone to talk to,’ said one, another telling us that ‘staff are very responsive’. It helps that academic pressure is ‘not as heated as some other schools’, felt one mother. Large wellbeing centre

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

Majority of families based in Essex, London, Kent and the surrounding counties but the new Beaulieu Park mainline station is expected to expand intake beyond local Catholic families, business people, city commuters and grammar school refuseniks.

Scholarships and awards in music, sport, academe and religion, for entry at year 7, 9 and sixth form. Additional awards for all-rounders. They normally range from £250 to £5,000 a year. Discount for Forces families.

A large school that provides myriad opportunities, pushes pupils to achieve their best without pressure and where Catholicism is central, creating a real sense of community and purpose.