Colchester Royal Grammar School: Boarding

Boarding

Ofsted Report, November 2007:

Boarding provision is 'Outstanding'.

The school has a small boarding section with 30 places which are available to sixth form students from the UK, British passport holders living overseas and students with an EU passport. There are no tuition fees. The facilities are available only for boys who must satisfy the academic entry requirements of the school which are detailed in the document 'Sixth Form Entry' before they will be considered for a place in boarding. Those deemed academically suitable will be interviewed to see if they are judged suitable for the ethos of the boarding house and school.

'An experience of living as well as an opportunity for learning'

There is a genuine desire for boarding education in its own right as a rewarding and enjoyable means of self-development, of learning to live with others and of making strong friendships. The aim of the boarding house is to offer an experience similar to that of a well-ordered family unit where students benefit from a relaxed, supportive study environment which compliments the academic demands of the day school.

There is an insistence on high standards of conduct and courtesy, and boarders respond well to these expectations and the caring, structured and informal atmosphere. Staff are also keen to ensure that boarding provides an excellent preparation for living away from home and meeting the demands of university life. A programme of varied after school activities is provided during the week and, for full-boarders, at weekends. There are 5 residential boarding staff including the boarding manager and the Headmaster who has overall responsibility for boarding.

School House

Academic Excellence

Ofsted Report: 'The school justifiably considers the sixth form its flagship, and it provides an outstanding standard of education. 'A' level results are outstanding..

The boarding house attracts a number of well qualified and well motivated students from the UK and overseas. These students have been successful and happy in our sixth form and boarding house. Teaching and boarding staff monitor academic progress closely. Our boarders consistently achieve 4 or more 'A' grades at A level and will routinely apply to Oxford, Cambridge and the elite universities such as LSE, Imperial College, UCL and Durham. In recent years, almost one third of Oxbridge applications were successful.

2009 A Level Results: Our boarders achieved 87% 'A' grades in the A level exams [school average: 70%] with 10 [out of 15] boarders achieving 5 or more 'A' grades. Four boarders achieved 6 'A' grades.

Fees

The fees for September 2010 are fixed for 2 years and are as follows:

Colchester Royal Grammar School is a state maintained school and tuition is free.

School Scholarship

The scholarship is open to applicants who have satisfied the school's admissions requirements for entry into year 12 and who have a record of high academic achievement.

There will be one school scholarship each year. The award will run for the two years of the sixth form but will be subject to a performance review after the first year. The school reserves the right to withdraw a scholarship for the second year if the scholar has not sustained a high level of performance and commitment.

Candidates will submit a letter of application detailing their commitment to extracurricular activities and the all-round contribution they would make to CRGS as a school scholar. This will be supported by a portfolio or video recording of their performance in particular skills areas (e.g. music or sport), where appropriate, and general interview.

Applications for scholarships will be submitted at the same time as applications for boarding places. The closing date for candidates applying for entry into the sixth form in September 2010 is Friday 21st November 2009.

IELTS

The school provides free tuition in English for overseas students and entry for the IELTS examination: www.ielts.org

Accommodation

Boarding is on two sites - in part of the School House buildings, and in a separate building, Gilberd House, within the school grounds. The accommodation is comfortable and attractive. All rooms are carpeted and there is a balance of double and single rooms. There are excellent study facilities, and boarders have supervised access to the school library and resources room, music facilities, playing fields, indoor sports areas and, in the summer, to a heated open-air swimming pool attended by a duty lifeguard. Boarders have the use of a common room, provided with easy chairs and television, a games room, and a restaurant-style kitchen. Meals are in the school restaurant and care is taken to ensure that boarders have a balanced, varied and plentiful diet.

Alton Water cycle activities	A/S Chemistry Spectroscopy Day, held at University of Essex, July 2007

Ofsted Inspection Report

'Effectiveness of boarding provision'

'Boarding provision is outstanding. Students speak highly of their boarding experience and praise staff for the way that they provide excellent pastoral support.'

'The Boarding Council gives students a voice by which they can express their views on any area of their boarding experience.'

'Behaviour is exemplary. Students welcome the many opportunities for cultural, social, sporting and recreation that are provided.'

'Students state that boarding prepares them very well for transition to university.'

'Boarding promotes all aspects of personal development exceptionally well.'

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCi) Report:

The school meets or exceeds the National Minimum Standards in all areas.

• Staff are committed to providing boarders with a very good level of personal support, which is designed to enable boarders to achieve educationally and socially to their full potential.
• Boarders get on very well; relations between staff and boarders are friendly and respectful.
• The atmosphere of the boarding houses is relaxed and boarders are encouraged to express their views on all aspects of boarding provision.
• The school emphasises the role of boarding in preparing students for university and adult life.

'Night view from Gilberd House' courtesy of Arnold Wong

More details of boarding provision are available from the school office and in the boarding handbook.