Shiplake College

Since 2019, Tyrone Howe. Degree from St Andrews (German and international relations) and master’s in European literature from Oxford. Previously a housemaster at Uppingham, Shiplake is his first headship. Began teaching career at Marlborough before leaving to play professional rugby for Ulster (he’s from Northern Ireland). Also represented Ireland, the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians. Spent five years in industry before returning to education.

Rugby was not his first love; he confesses to being a ‘frustrated singer’ who, as the son of an opera singer, grew up in the Grand Opera House in Belfast. Tells us he loves music ‘of all sorts’ while loading a phone video of year 9 performing Video Killed the Radio Star. ‘I popped in the lesson and was blown away. Isn’t that just the best thing?’ he grins. ‘Just joyful.’ A big fan of Desert Island Discs but, ‘It’s not just the music, I’m curious about the story they tell.’ His luxury item? A painting hanging in his study of him playing rugby by a rugby fan (recently deceased) who also features in the painting in his wheelchair. Head says, ‘I promised him I would put it on the wall wherever I went. It goes everywhere with me.’

Though no longer a rugby pro, the lingo slips in. He says, ‘Shiplake is a school of personal bests, not just in sport but across the board, and it’s in everything we do.’ When pressed he concedes, ‘I’m going to teach some year 7 (girls and boys) rugby in September so I can get to know the new students.’ One parent told us, ‘His rapport is particularly strong with lower school.’

Study is unfussy and lacks pretention. A few framed rugby line-ups on the walls and a bookcase with his favourite books and Spectator magazines. The door for students has a glass window ‘so they know that they can speak to me directly if they want to’. Very clear Shiplake is a place of community and tells us, ‘Kindness comes first and foremost. It’s non-negotiable.’ Not just words, he has excluded pupils unable to get on board but only as a ‘last resort’. After an infraction, one way of dealing with misbehaviour is an informal walk with pupil/s and teacher, often with a dog (take your pick, there are 30 on campus). Draws clear lines in sand: ‘I try to be open and honest and expect the same from everyone.’

He tells us Shiplake stands out from local competition because of the opportunities available here. ‘We get the little things right, like traditional manners, but we’re relatively young and so not too rooted. We can be flexible and adapt. We’re at the forefront of change.’ New to the role when pandemic hit, he led lightning response of online learning systems and fun online community events (check YouTube). ‘If anything, we bonded more as a school and keep strengthening that spirit.’ School Instagram shows dizzying range of things going on.

Excited about opening doors to girls, head says: ‘Going fully co-ed is a natural step for Shiplake. We’ve been busy getting ready for the extra intake of girls (more on this later). I’m thrilled that 42 per cent of year 7 will be girls. More boys applied than ever too.’

Lives on site with wife Alex, also a teacher, their teenage twins and Simba, the golden retriever, who is first to meet and greet in school reception. Shiplake is surely the most dog-friendly school in the world – there’s even lint roll on the coffee table!

Pupils (now girls as well as boys) join in year 7 from a mix of prep and state primary schools, and there’s a further intake of around 30 into year 9. A full assessment day covers numeracy and literacy, extended creative writing task and group activity. Candidates interviewed by the houseparent or deputy and finish the day with a sports activity. School insists it is ‘all ability’ and that character and attitude matter as much. ‘We’ll turn down an able pupil if not right for the culture of the school. Much thought goes into the holistic process,’ head says. ‘We want children who will get involved, give to and benefit from what makes Shiplake special.’

The number of girls in years 12 and 13 is now 60+. They’ve been key in preparation for co-ed and will be ‘big sister mentors’ for girls in year 7. Sixth form entry requires five good GCSEs including English and maths, with occasional exceptions, and a ‘strong’ performance in subjects they want to take at A level. Sixth form applicants are also expected to have ‘a good history of engagement with their learning’ and ‘an excellent disciplinary record together with evidence of commitment to wider school life (such as music, drama, sport and volunteering)’.

Between 15 and 25 per cent leave after GCSEs, replaced by newcomers into sixth form. Forward-thinking careers advisor explores full options, including apprenticeships and entry to job market. Head says: ‘We’re fully aware university is not for everyone. Increasingly, students don’t want to be saddled with debt when there are other pathways to consider.’ School’s entrepreneurial spirit means a few leave with already lucrative ventures and ‘already earning more than us’, a teacher mock-sighs. This said, 92 per cent of leavers headed off to university in 2025 – most popular choices were Exeter, Oxford Brookes, Manchester Met, Cardiff, Reading, Manchester, York, Surrey and Nottingham.

Regular Oxbridge and medicine support sessions but none to Oxbridge or to study medicine in 2025. Five to the US in 2025 (Princeton, Washington, Iowa, Wisconsin and Boston). Popular courses are sports science, journalism, graphic design and business studies.

Tiniest class sizes – maximum 16, mostly 14 – mean individual attention and accelerated progress. ‘It’s what most attracted my family to the school,’ one pupil told us.

At GCSE options of double or triple science. French and Spanish but not Latin or Greek, so maybe not for your future classicist. Wide range of sixth form subjects offered – 27 at last count. A levels, including sociology, photography and politics. Best results in history, biology and chemistry. BTECs (most popular are criminology, business, sport and music) all achieving strong results. Majority of sixth formers complete either an EPQ or a sports leadership qualification.

Subject-wide reviews have taken place but curriculum largely unchanged in preparation for co-ed as already forward thinking and ungendered. Small tweaks here and there including in PSCHEE and games. Drama and literature choices have been reconsidered to be more inclusive. Just under half of teaching staff are women and this is set to increase, including a newly appointed deputy head pastoral who has a background in developing and designing induction and transition courses for year 7 pupils.

As a Microsoft school, every child has the same laptop and software for convenience and efficiency. Designated support for when IT goes wrong is a ‘lifesaver’. Digital learning embraced and all encouraged to be tech savvy. Cyber skills course taught at KS3 in addition to computing. Phones, however, must be kept in lockers, except for prefects in upper sixth. Head says, ‘We want students looking up and out, not down and in.’

The Thinking Space learning facility, inspired by Google, is divided into sections: a book nook for quite reading or work, a flow room which is intended for focused, independent work and a large central space with tables for collaborative work. Comprehensive digital library; growing number of physical books.

School runs cross-curricular trips to broaden experience and inspire. Recent ones include New York, Amsterdam and Venice. Head has improved results across the board with accelerated reading schemes and a scholars’ programme where each scholar has a mentor who meets with them half-termly to discuss their stretch and challenge targets (and also writes a half-termly report for parents). Weekly masterclasses are held in the café in which students, staff, parents and guests share their passions. Scholars must attend but all pupils welcomed and encouraged. Individual webpages display their ongoing achievements and special lunches are taken in the Old Viking room. There’s also an annual whole-school essay prize.

Two full and two part-time SEN staff in several bright and well-equipped rooms. One parent confirmed the school’s reputation for ‘truly excellent provision for SEN – the staff are bulwarks: patient, kind, knowledgeable – brilliant.’ Support available for pupils with diagnosed dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and around 12 per cent of pupils are receiving extra help, in line with national average. All pupils screened on entry and, if identified, assessed to see if they can function in class with provisions but without a learning support assistant. If not, individualised small-group lessons (up to four) per week, at extra cost. From year 9 these sessions replace a modern language and in year 10 these pupils take eight GCSEs rather than nine. At sixth form it evolves to guided study support with a focus on preparation for adult life. Subject-wide clinics available for all pupils daily during lunch or after school.

Two large art studios in spacious eaves of one of the modern buildings. Varied artwork to a fantastic standard, we saw ceramic Amsterdam houses and intricate wire animals (year 8). In one room, industrious sixth formers worked with choice of (practically any) medium and subject – a sense of freedom and space for creativity here. Opposite, a photography studio with full editing technology. Striking and experimental work on show. One teacher specialises in the artistic, and another in the technical, aspect of photography. ‘Together we’ve everything covered,’ we were told. Teamwork a recurrent theme. Standout artwork is displayed throughout the year on the golden easel.

Inspirational director of music oversees bustling department. Shiplake specialises in soul, rock and pop jazz and there’s Camerata (chamber choir) and the auditioned-for First VIII a capella group, alongside big band, various choirs and several rock and jazz bands for all ages. For techies, new John Turner building has a recording studio with all latest computer equipment. Music lessons feel cool and relevant; we enjoyed a lesson where year 9 students were making tense, eerie music to play, second by second, with a scene of Stranger Things. We squeezed in a lower school lunch concert with a lovely solo from Matilda and funky piano recitals on a baby grand piano. Does anyone sit down? A parent told us, ‘Upbeat concerts are a highlight, whether highbrow or experimental. Concerts at fancier schools seem stuffy and predictable in comparison.’ Formal concerts take place throughout the year culminating in v. popular Shiplake Rocks – a festival where current pupils, staff, families, and Old Vikings (alumni) perform. As one pupil told us, it’s ‘a vibe’.

Tithe Barn theatre in the old stable yard area is an intimate performance space with black wooden floorboards and black stone walls. Productions are put on for each year group to mark events such as Pride, Black History and Women’s Day. Bigger performances use the Kenton Theatre in Henley, with wine and popcorn for parents. Lower school perform a pantomime each year and there’s an annual big whole-school show – next up is The Wedding Singer.

DofE is popular and well organised, or there’s community service and CCF (good take-up and the start of a career path as a helicopter pilot for one sixth former we spoke to). Range of after-school clubs in all things from cookery to archery.

With its sweeping riverside location, no surprise rowing has top billing at Shiplake. Pupils (both boys and incoming girls) start in year 9 and specialist training programmes mean success at local, national and international level. A shout out to the girls’ quad who won the Diamond Jubilee Challenge cup in 2021 at Henley Royal Regatta (another girls’ team also qualified). Current pupils and Old Vikings (former pupils) regularly represent GB at junior and senior levels in the European and world championships. Fabulous Davies Centre includes a state-of-the-art boathouse, an indoor archery/rifle range, a well-used climbing wall, weights room, gym and an ergo room/events space, with a balcony overlooking the river. Female pupils said to us they appreciated ‘the girls-only gym hour’.

The Lynch, an island owned by the school, is used for adventure and outdoor education, alongside mainland provision for rafting, camping, archery etc on alternate Thursday afternoons. One parent said, ‘My child isn’t sporty but loves the other options.’ Shiplake holds good to its sporting reputation with rugby (seven rugby pitches), football, cricket, netball (more courts being built), hockey and tennis players, many at country and some national level. However, no special allowances in classrooms; match bans if behavioural or academic standards fall. On recent rowing camp in Spain, students were doing intensive GCSE revision each evening. A parent told us, ‘They get the sport/academic balance right.’

Four clean, well-equipped houses with games, football tables, sofas for TV and hanging out. Separate day and boarding houses (with mix of flexi, boarding and full). A sixth form girls’ house with some en-suite bathrooms (Gilson). Sixth form boys are in College House. Separate boarding houses for year 9 to 11 boys and girls. Year 7 and 8 pupils in dedicated lower school base. Year 9 to 11 day pupils are all allocated a house affiliation for inter-house competitions. Cosy dorms are for two to four students in lower years and most sixth formers get a single room. A parent told us boarders were ‘enveloped by everyone in the school’.

Around a third of pupils board, majority are flexi and weekly rather than full. Flexibility suits largely local families, keen to see kids at the weekend. Full boarders, a few international and a few Forces, are kept entertained at weekends with trips to nearby attractions, restaurants and events. No Saturday lessons, just matches, to allow more family time at the weekend for day pupils and weekly boarders.

Shiplake’s reputation for pastoral care is strong as ever. Broadly CofE (but welcoming and celebrating all faiths), chaplain is bedrock for all. School uses pretty on-site church and all students attend chapel once a week, with communion an option. A parent says, ‘It’s just a warm and friendly place.’

Senior nurse on hand in medical wing with five beds. A parent told us, ‘She’s just lovely and goes above and beyond in her vigilance and care.’ Counsellors, chaplain, mentors and staff on hand to talk through problems and the atmosphere is one of openness and transparency. Head extols healing powers of exercise and fresh air. We saw a student collecting a dog to walk to escape exam pressure.

Sixth formers are mentors for the new year 9s – mutually beneficial for giving responsibility and security. Sixth form girls also act as mentors to girls in year 7. Usual PSCHEE programme alongside visiting speakers to talk about matters such as consent, illegal substances, wellbeing, mental health and resilience. Behavioural expectations are high and there’s a point-based system to differentiate between major and minor issues and for providing praise and rewards for excellent work and behaviour. One parent told us, ‘It gets the child sitting silent at the back to engage and contribute.’ For infractions, a scale from 30-minute lunchtime detention to Friday and then Saturday detentions. School strongly believes in giving second chances and allowing pupils to learn through experience and guiding.

Staggered lunch in the Gothic, wood-panelled great hall has as many options as you have imagination. Signs tell you to say what portion size you’d like to avoid waste, but no-one goes hungry here.

Students courteous, not just in class, but everywhere between too. Keen to be role models, almost all sixth formers compete to be a prefect, a process which involves writing a letter of application, an interview and an assessment-centre style afternoon.

Parents are ‘not all Ferraris and swimming pools’ but mostly middle-class first-time buyers who want best academic results but not at the cost of mental health. One parent told us, ‘We see the bigger picture. Our child is doing well but it’s not the be-all and end-all.’ Shiplake families care less about being seen at the smart schools than being at the right place with the right values for their child. One parent told us, it’s ‘hardworking parents and a hardworking school’.

Most families live close enough to be day or flexi boarders (five per cent international) and most travel from east of Reading (avoids dreaded Reading rush hour). In a 20–30-mile radius, school coach stops include Goring, Sonning, Watlington as far as Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, Bourne End, Windsor. Those further away face long school days – 7am to 7pm including travel, it's manageable although often hard at first. Some comfort that prep (5-5.45pm, and additional 8-8.45pm for boarders) and supper are at school. A coach from west London ferries weekly boarders.

Alumni include actor Alex Pettyfer, Chris Standring, jazz musician and, predictably, some Olympic rowing medallists: Will Satch, Ben Hunt-Davis, Richard Lester and Malcolm Carmichael.

Art, drama, music, rowing and general sports scholarships alongside academic awards. All potential scholars interviewed, and academic applicants deliver short presentation on a subject of their choosing. The standard financial remission for a scholarship is 10 per cent and up to 50 per cent for truly outstanding candidates in rowing and academics at sixth form. Sixth form academic scholarships assessed by a written exam in a subject they will take at A level as well as interviews to determine suitability as an academic ambassador. Means-tested bursaries awarded at the school’s discretion and hardship fund for families whose financial situation changes.

A modern curriculum jam-packed with events and opportunities, this is a fizzing hive of a school. Shiplake understands that learning takes place out of the comfort zone and its traditional moral foundations help pupils build the confidence to get there and stay there. The new intake of girls will love getting in on all the action.