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Photo of Princethorpe College
Reviewed

Princethorpe College

Independent school · Rugby, CV23 9PX
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • From £17,712 pa
  • 893 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Scratch beneath the surface of Princethorpe’s majestic façade and landscaped beauty, and you’ll find pastoral care is its beating heart. Imbuing all disciplines and endeavours, it pumps pupils with confidence as they develop and learn. A picture-perfect pastoral idyll.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
893 ·
Sixth form numbers
238 ·
Religion
RC
Fees
£17,712pa
Local authority
Warwickshire Council
Linked schools

Headteacher

Headmaster

Mr Grove du Toit

Since 2023, Grove du Toit, previously deputy warden at Forest School, London. Born in South Africa, he attended Hoërskool Garsfontein, Pretoria where - despite being an enthusiastic sportsman – he ‘stepped back from rugby’ after breaking his arm, in


Entrance

Over 225 applicants for 130 year 7 places following entrance exam (maths, English, free writing, CEM assessment – VR and NVR), plus reference from previous school. From year 9, entry assessment includes MFL paper and online assessment, plus VR in

Open days
Open events take place once a term. Taster days for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils available, check website for details.

Exit

Around 20 per cent fallout after GCSEs, mostly to vocational courses (eg agricultural) or grammar schools. Most sixth formers to university. Durham, Bristol, Worcester, Oxford Brookes popular. Plus apprenticeships, recently to JLR, Rolls Royce, KPMG.


Latest results

In 2024, 44 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 35 per cent A*/A at A level (66 per cent A*-B).

Average points score (2024)

School
40.35
LA avg.
35.58
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.


Teaching & learning

Pupils say the only academic weight is ‘what we put upon ourselves, there’s expectation not pressure’. Parents agree: ‘Teachers praise and gently push.’ ‘My middle child got a little lazy getting a pass when his teacher knew a distinction was

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
  • VRQ
11:1
Pupil to teacher ratio
17-22
Average class sizes (up to GCSE)

Learning support & SEN

Full-time head of department, two specialist teachers and an administrator work alongside staff to support the 25 per cent of pupils on SEND register for a range of needs, though only 46 pupils receive learning support. One EHCP. Dyslexia and

0.3 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
27.7 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Music department hits the right note with raft of choirs (one open to all, others selective), orchestras, wind bands, ensembles, soirees, concerts. Recent addition of musical theatre scholars and BTEC option – plus three musical theatre shows each


Sport

‘I’ve always labelled us a sporty school,’ our guide proclaimed as we viewed three impressive rugby pitches enveloped by countryside (including a cricket and athletics track in summer). Parents not so sure, saying sport has ‘dwindled a bit’ in recent


Ethos & heritage

Bowling along Warwickshire’s leafy lanes, woodland turns to open countryside as the majestic tower of Princethorpe College’s Pugin Chapel emerges from the landscape, its red silhouette piercing the sky and dominating the view. Previously a


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Gushing superlatives for pastoral provision - ‘probably school’s strongest asset,’ say parents. The aptly named pastoral corridor is populated by department staff, SEN and heads of house. ‘We can go to any of them, anytime.’ A confidential phone


Mobile phone policy

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

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Pupils are allowed to bring mobile phones into school, but they must be put away as soon as they arrive on site. Years 7 to 9 must put their mobile phones in their locker, years 10 to 11 are allowed phones on their person, but they must be on silent and out of sight. Sixth form are allowed to use their phones in the sixth form centre, but elsewhere on site they need to be on silent and out of sight. Pupils are allowed to access their phones freely at the end of the school day.

Updated Dec 2024

Pupils & parents

Smartly attired in black (and tartan for the girls), pupils were relaxed and chatty on our visit (perhaps it’s the country air) and uber proud of their school and surroundings (understandably so, every window presented a changing verdure of shrubs

893
Number of pupils

Money matters

Academic scholarships (up to 50 per cent remission), plus art, performing arts (choral, drama, music, musical theatre, dance), all-rounder, sport (all between five and 20 per cent remission). Ditto for sixth formers with additional organ scholarship.

Fee information
£17,712pa

The last word

Scratch beneath the surface of Princethorpe’s majestic façade and landscaped beauty, and you’ll find pastoral care is its beating heart. Imbuing all disciplines and endeavours, it pumps pupils with confidence as they develop and learn. A

What the school says

Princethorpe College is a Catholic co-educational independent day school welcoming of all faiths. The college is renowned for its outstanding pastoral care and strong Christian ethos. The school has a unique history, beautiful surroundings and character. The atmosphere is warm, open and friendly, with traditional values of courtesy, discipline, organisation and mutual respect. Princethorpe encourages academic rigour and participation in broader aspects of school life, such as sports, drama, music and charitable activities. At Princethorpe your child will be valued, encouraged and challenged as they grow into mature, confident, resilient and well-rounded individuals with strong moral values.

Contact the school

Address

Leamington Road
Princethorpe
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV23 9PX
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Princethorpe College Leamington Road, Princethorpe, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9PX
893 Pupil numbers
459/434 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
238 Sixth form numbers
17-22 Average class sizes (up to GCSE)
11:1 Pupil to teacher ratio

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Pupils are allowed to bring mobile phones into school, but they must be put away as soon as they arrive on site. Years 7 to 9 must put their mobile phones in their locker, years 10 to 11 are allowed phones on their person, but they must be on silent and out of sight. Sixth form are allowed to use their phones in the sixth form centre, but elsewhere on site they need to be on silent and out of sight. Pupils are allowed to access their phones freely at the end of the school day.

Updated Dec 2024
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Princethorpe College and is updated annually. See the review

GCSE-level results data is not reliably reported on for independent schools. We have chosen to show only the results achieved in individual subjects. Find out more

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 146 7
Psychology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 48 6
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 70 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 23 7
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 12 5
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 8
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 51 7
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 41 7
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 6
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 11 7
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 6
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 70 8
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 59 6
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 70 8
Art & Design (Textiles) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 26 6
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 8

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
21%
LA avg.
24%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
40.35
LA avg.
35.58
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Sociology GCE A level 9 A
Religious Studies GCE A level 8 B
Psychology GCE A level 36 B
Physics GCE A level 11 A
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 12 B
Mathematics GCE A level 25 A
Law GCE A level 9 B
History GCE A level 16 A
Government and Politics GCE A level 8 B
Geography GCE A level 13 A
English Literature GCE A level 16 B
English Language and Literature GCE A level 15 B
Economics GCE A level 18 A
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 9 B
Chemistry GCE A level 9 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 31 B
Biology GCE A level 21 A
Art and Design (Photography) GCE A level 10 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 6 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

SEN overview

Princethorpe College is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Princethorpe has a dedicated small learning support team of qualified and experienced teachers and assistants who provide tuition and in-class support. The learning support team work closely with parents and families to plan and share information and progress. Pupils with SEND follow the same curriculum as other pupils, with appropriate flexibility to meet their needs.

Updated Jun 2025
0.3 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
27.7 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

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