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Colfes School, London

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Colfes School details

Address:

Colfes School
Horn Park Lane, Lee, London SE12 8AW

Telephone:

020 88522283

Fax:

020 8297 1216

Email:

rdyer@colfes.com

Website:

www.colfes.com

Authority:

Greenwich

Gender of entry:

Mixed

Age range:

3-18

Number of students:

1,056

Affiliation:

IAPS, HMC

Gender of sixth form:

Mixed

Last inspection:

September 2000. Read the full inspection report.

General information

Headteacher: Richard Russell, appointed in September 2005.

Staff: 84 (men 46, women 55).

Motto: "Ad astra per aspera" ("to the stars through difficulties").

Background: One of the oldest schools in London, Colfe's can trace its history as far back as 1542. Originally a grammar school for boys, it became independent in the 1970s and has been fully coeducational since 1997. Situated in the southeast suburbs of London, most of its pupils come from the four boroughs that surround the school. Academic success is held in high esteem and pupils achieve good grades in external exams. The curriculum offers a greater breadth than the national guidelines dictate. Great emphasis is placed on pastoral care and the school prides itself on providing a warm, happy community in which the individual talents of each pupil can flourish. When pupils first enter the school, they are allocated a personal mentor from the sixth form for the whole of that year. Children from all religious backgrounds are welcomed and the school has an international outlook, although its foundation is Christian. Resources include an arts centre, a dance studio, a recital hall and playing fields. The art department offers a wide range of options, such as textiles, graphics, sculpture and photography. The study of design and technology is also valued as a means of enhancing problem-solving skills. The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, educational trips, art, drama and physical education are all considered essential components of a Colfe's education. The school has appointed a head of outdoor pursuits whose remit is to increase the range of activities on offer.

Alumni: Eric Ambler, author, Henry Williamson, author; Rob Key, cricketer.

Streaming/setting: Sets for maths in years 10 and 11.

Approach to discipline: The school expects high standards of behaviour and dress, which are developed by strong pastoral care.

Uniform: Blue jacket and blue tie. Uniform is strictly enforced.

Homework: Average 11-year-old, 8 hours a week; 14-year-old, 9 hours; 16-year-old, 10 hours.

Higher education: 93% (1 Oxford 1 Cambridge).

Special needs: Individual tuition is given to pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia. The school screens for difficulties throughout the year.

Inspection: September 2000: Colfe's is a good school with several significant strengths, not least of which are the excellence of its pastoral care, the school management and the high standards set by its pupils. Pupils' standards of attainment are good in relation to their capabilities, as is demonstrated by their success in national exams. At the same time the school needs to take appropriate action to re-examine its curriculum, to promote greater independence of learning, particularly among its senior pupils, and to encourage further training of staff.

Feeder schools: Breaside Heath House Preparatory School (45 pupils); Brooklands School (4 pupils); Merton Court Preparatory School (4 pupils); Blackheath Preparatory School (3 pupils); St Winifred's School (3 pupils).

Boys' age range: 3 to 18.

Girls' age range: 3 to 18.

Over-subscribed: 4 to 1.

After-school care: 17.30 hours.

Percentage admitted according to academic ability: 100.

Senior boys: 506.

Senior boys 11-18: Y.

Senior girls: 197.

Senior girls 11-18: Y.

Average class size (juniors; under-11): 18.

Average class size (seniors; 11-16): 22.

Average class size (sixth form): 10.

Principle admission ages: 7yrs(44); 11yrs(110); 13yrs(3); 16yrs(15).

Gifted pupils: 137.

Bursary pupils: 68.

Bursaries: Art, Music, Sport, Other.

Colfes School Statistics

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