Pangbourne College

Since September 2024, Oliver Knight. Pangbourne is Mr Knight’s fourth headship. His first was in 2014 in Greenwich and then in 2017 he became executive head of Phoenix Academy, moving in 2019 to be principal of Ark Acton Academy. Mr Knight has a track record in driving up standards. Phoenix Academy was in Special Measures when he arrived and was the lowest performing school in London. Two years after he took over, it was the most improved school in London. In the four years he has been principal at Ark Acton Academy, he has improved results year on year. He is on the board of a multi-academy trust and is a governor for a London prep school and senior school. He is a firm believer in outdoor education. His adventure programme has taken the first state school children to the top of Ben Nevis in winter.

Entrance assessments focus on strengths and skills inside and outside the classroom, with intake focused on incorporating a broad spread of abilities into each class. Neurodiverse conditions embraced. Students come from a wide variety of state and prep schools including Brockhurst, Marlston, Moulsford, St Andrews, Thorngrove, the Manor, and local primary schools such as Bradfield, Goring and Pangbourne. Admissions at 11 into year 7 (year group size about 35) have doubled in the last 10 years with about 50 per cent coming from local state schools. At 13, on average a further 60 students join, mainly from local prep schools.

Recently anything up to 40 per cent of students have been leaving after GCSEs with new joiners replacing those departing. Often it's 'just for a change' or for specific subjects not offered by the school (eg ballet, drama, agriculture). School is working hard to enhance the sixth form package with initiatives such as a new school café where sixth formers can enjoy free periods in a relaxed environment. Vast majority of those who stay or join the sixth form go on to university, with around 50 per cent Russell Group universities. Durham, Exeter, Bath, Southampton, Nottingham popular. One or two Oxbridge places most years but none in 2024. One medic. Both academic and vocational subject choices popular, as are apprenticeships. Despite its naval heritage, only a handful each year go into the Forces.

In 2024, 22 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 29 per cent A*/A at A level (61 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 30 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 16 per cent A*/A at A level (47 per cent A*-B); 100 per cent pass rate in BTECs with 79 per cent of students gaining merit/distinction*.

Staff turnover low. Whilst academic results are generally on an upwards trajectory, this is not a hothouse. Small class sizes a key feature – largest class is 22 with most averaging 15 up to GCSE. Staff know students very well, with a feeling of mutual respect evident between teachers and pupils. In the words of one parent, ‘Staff are so down to earth and approachable.’ Curriculum has been broadened to enable the mixing of A levels and BTEC for pupils wishing to follow a more vocational route. A third of pupils in the sixth form take a BTEC (same UCAS points as an A level) studying subjects such as film, media, sport and enterprise. EPQ also a popular choice – an extended project on any subject of interest (organising an event also an option). Every student has a baseline prediction to assess their potential (MidYIS/YELLIS) with focus on the value-added the school can offer. Individual pathways built to suit each pupil. School adept at catering for children with a wide range of abilities, making it a popular choice for families with several children wanting to choose one school for the whole family. 'Our three children are all very different, but all have thrived in their own way.' Parents say teachers make them feel welcome and involved. Academic subjects are no longer taught on Saturdays. The school day runs from 8.20am to 5.50pm Monday to Friday, followed by prep, with Saturdays reserved for matches.

Team of 10 learning support staff (one specialist SENCo) is rated highly and described as 'very accessible' by parents we spoke to. High potential achiever (HPA) programme to incentivise and challenge the academically gifted (programme has seen academic results climb markedly since 2020). The school embraces students with minor learning difficulties (ADHD, dyslexia, mild autism, speech and language issues) with individual lessons offered at extra cost. The small class sizes allow teachers to implement strategies devised by the SEN specialists in class with monitoring in place to track progress. For most, the support of their teachers is sufficient. Of the 465 students in 2022, 197 were on the SEN register.

The busy music centre is home to a very strong music department, with a recital hall, recording suite and 10 practice and teaching rooms, not forgetting the three Steinway grand pianos. Around a third of pupils take individual music lessons. Piano, drums, guitar and singing are favourites. Along with a big band and numerous opportunities to perform, in keeping with the school's naval heritage, there are three school choirs and a school marching band which performs regularly at local community events.

A recently appointed dynamic head of design technology waxed lyrical about the green racing car being designed in the DT studio where pupils can opt for either the product design route or textiles. Forward-thinking ideas are definitely on the agenda here. Art facilities exuded creativity with the light spacious studio including an area for photography and a dark room. The school has three drama studios and is working on expanding the performing arts offering. Theatre trips, drama productions and workshops currently on offer. Years 7 and 8 were performing Shrek on the day we visited the school.

CCF, compulsory in year 10, has a Royal Marines section as well as Army and Royal Navy. We were impressed at how the strong military traditions of the school are used to imbue knowledge of so many key values and life skills. The pride of being part of 'Team Pangbourne' and 'mucking in' came across strongly in pupils we chatted to. However, if this doesn't strike a chord, this may not be the school for you. DofE is compulsory in year 9 and well managed; all students do the bronze award. Three-quarters go on to complete the silver and a third do gold. There are many clubs, including the student journalism club and the debating society.

The school commands a strong reputation on the sporting field with opportunities for all to represent Team Pangbourne. Consistent local, regional and national successes recorded by sports teams. The broad range of activities offered encourages the less sporty to have a go and be active. Viewed as a key element in developing leadership and the 'flag values', at least an hour of sport is timetabled four days a week with fixtures on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sports performance programme available for the gifted.

Traditionally sailing and rowing are big here (notable successes at Henley) with the boat club situated off site on a six-kilometre stretch of the Thames. Pupils are on the water as much as possible. Recreational sports such as fitness, golf and table tennis available, as well as core sports hockey, rugby, football, cricket and rowing for the boys; hockey, rugby, netball, rowing and tennis for the girls. One parent suggested the offering is 'almost too broad, if that's possible'. Equestrian club well supported. Facilities are good with further investment planned. Recently refurbished outdoor swimming pool and gym, and new Astro hockey pitch proving popular.

Pangbourne has six senior houses or 'divisions' - four for boys and two slightly larger ones for girls - as well as Dunbar, a junior house for 11 to 13-year-olds. Day pupils and boarders integrated within the houses. Around 38 per cent of pupils board in some form, whether full, weekly or part-weekly (usually four nights). The school has recently introduced flexible overnight stays, which have gone down very well with parents. There is a move to encourage pupils from west London to become weekly boarders with London a mere 45 minutes away. Weekly boarders generally start the week on Sunday evenings and travel home on Fridays after school. Parents comment that the school goes out of its way to be flexible where necessary with exeats, travel etc. Small percentage of international students (about six per cent) are fully included.

Staff in the boarding houses described by parents as particularly family-oriented, kind and nurturing. We were very taken with the genuine warmth of the matrons and impressed that pupils are taught to iron and do their own laundry as well as being barred from their kitchens (galleys) if they don't keep them up to scratch – life skills we heartedly approve of in today's world. One parent spoke of her son's housemaster being ‘like an uncle’ and boarders we spoke to seemed very at home in their ‘cabins’.

The houses are fit for purpose with decor of dorms basic and functional. Meals are eaten in the central 'mess hall' with the recently overhauled catering department providing good food with an emphasis on healthy eating. Boarders we spoke to seemed happy with activities organised for them out of school hours, although many do go home at weekends.

There is a real family feel in the houses. Boundaries are clear and very well defined and pupils seem happy with this. 'Pangbourne is responsible for making my son the person he is today' is the sort of remark we often heard from parents. Staff work at building confidence and identifying individual talents in the belief that happy students do well. Diversity also championed, with different abilities and backgrounds welcomed and included. Weekly staff meetings use a traffic light system to identify pupils who need help or greater support to thrive. One pupil we spoke to praised the school for identifying her eating challenges very early, referring her to the school counsellor and helping to deal with issues before they escalated.

Socially, sixth formers enjoy the new café. Firm rules are in place, including zero tolerance of drugs in school. On the issue of bullying, several parents remarked that the school had dealt with such issues well. 'Inability to reform bullying behaviour' is not tolerated and is punishable by exclusion from the school. Suspensions are also issued for 'inappropriate, offensive or unpleasant behaviour' and mini detentions used for lesser issues, but the head is very clear that 'everyone makes mistakes' and that in so doing lessons are learned. 'Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions from an early age,' explained one parent.

The uniform list at Pangbourne is necessarily long (and strict), with uniform standards based on those of the Royal Navy an 'important part of the college identity'. So for girls, nail varnish and unnatural hair colours are not permitted, jewellery usage tightly controlled, and only very discreet make-up allowed from year 9 onwards (not permitted in years 7 and 8). Boys are not to dye their hair and hair must comply with school guidelines. Three uniforms required, one naval uniform for every day and one for more ceremonial occasions, and then there's games kit and clothes for weekends on top. Some parents have noted that buying the uniform comes at a considerable cost but thankfully there is an online second-hand shop. Sixth formers can wear suits to school.

Despite the naval background, only a small number of military families. Seventy per cent of inquiries are via word of mouth, predominantly local families who enjoy the 'community' and contributing to it; quiz nights, school balls and parades provide opportunities for parents to mix. Parental involvement is embraced here – parents are involved and invested in their children's education and personal development. 'Thank you for reviewing our school,' wrote one of the mothers we interviewed, herself a trained teacher. About 60 per cent of parents are second generation public school, but most families are dual income and work hard to send their children to the school. Many like the fact that the school suits all their children who often have very different talents, abilities and needs. Most pupils live within a 50-minute drive of the school with the proportion of day pupils on the rise. Six bus routes from local areas including Basingstoke, Chieveley, Henley, Newbury, Maidenhead and Wantage.

Former pupils include film director Ken Russell, Olympic sailor Andrew (Bart) Simpson, motorcycle racer Mike Hailwood, hedge fund guru David Harding, former Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Michael Layard and Dazed & Confused magazine founder, Jefferson Hack.

About 25 per cent of pupils receive some form of means-tested bursary assistance. Two and a half per cent of pupils receive bursary assistance equivalent to more than 90 per cent of fees. Scholarships receive no fee remittance. They provide extra opportunities for pupils and opportunities to excel in their chosen talents. Academic and music awards offered at 11; academic, music, drama awards for entry at 13 or 6th form.

Pangbourne's naval heritage provides the framework for a rounded education, turning out self-assured young adults who are neither arrogant nor entitled. The school is small, down-to-earth and well managed. Clear boundaries make pupils of all abilities feel safe and able to develop the self-confidence to realise their potential. With a caring staff body, the school is hitting the spot with local parents.