Ofsted Report, March 2010: 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 foreign 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'

Boarding at CRGS is an excellent preparation for meeting the demands of university life. But 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. Staff are committed to providing boarders with a very good level of personal support which enables them to achieve academically and socially to their full potential.

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. A programme of varied after school activities is provided during the week and, for full boarders, at weekends.

Evening and weekend supervision is shared between 3 residential boarding staff, the Head of Maths and the Head of Year 12 [Economics Tutor]. Students are given academic support and guided through their UCAS applications, including personal statements. The Headmaster has overall responsibility for boarding.

Boarding provision at CRGS meets or exceeds the national minimum standards in all areas - see below: Ofsted Inspection Report 2010

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 and UCL. In recent years, half of Oxbridge applications were successful.

2011 A-Level Results
Our boarders achieved 92% 'A*/A' grades in the A level examinations (38A*/19A excluding General Studies). Five boarders [out of 7 who applied] were offered Oxbridge places.

Fees
The fees for September 2012 are fixed for 2 years and are as follows:

          - Full boarding: £3200 per term
          - Weekly boarding: £2400 per term

Colchester Royal Grammar School is a state maintained school and there are no additional tuition fees.

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 2012 is Thursday 1^st December 2011

IELTS

The school provides free tuition in English for overseas students and will pay the cost of one 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	AS Chemistry Spectroscopy Day, held at the University of Essex

Ofsted Inspection Report: March 2010  www.ofsted.gov.uk

'This is a school where boarders are cared for and feel safe.'

'They are strongly supported and encouraged to enjoy boarding life by a team of staff who demonstrate a positive commitment towards the welfare of boarders'

'The support given to boarders is excellent. Boarders said the house staff are 'fantastic'.'

'The views and opinions of boarders are valued at the school.'

'Parents are very satisfied with the care and support of their children.'

'Parents comment that 'there is a rich array of opportunities for the boarders to shine'.

'The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding'.

'Dawn from Gilberd House' courtesy of Arnold Wong

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