►►►其它中學

Sibford School 西伯福德學校，西伯福德中學, Sibford Ferris, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5QL
Tel: 01295 781200 Fax: 01295 781204
• CO-ED, 4–18 Day, 8–18 Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 392, Upper sixth 30
• Termly fees £1773–£2817 (Day), £4251–£5579 (Boarding), £3878–£5195 (Weekly), £1008 (learning difficulties supplement)
• SHMIS, BSA
• Enquiries/application to the Admissions Secretary

What it’s like
Founded in 1842, it has a 70-acre campus in a small village a few miles from Banbury. It is set in very pleasant surroundings in the north Oxfordshire countryside. The philosophy and principles of Quakerism are central to the school life. Quakerism is without dogma and therefore capable of embracing young people of all faiths and none. The intake is cosmopolitan. There is a well-established Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) unit. There is an art school, music school and swimming pool. A sound general training is given and the staff:pupil ratio is about 1:7. The sixth form offers academic and vocational A-level courses. The arts are strong and most of the school is involved in the creative or performing arts. A range of sports, games and activities. The school is involved in an outreach programme and other community services. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is very popular.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 4–18, 392 pupils; 281 day (180 boys, 101 girls), 111 boarding (77 boys, 34 girls). Senior department 11–18, 316 pupils, (208 boys, 108 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 4–11, 13, 14 and 16. Own tests used, school reports and interview (also an educational psychologist’s report for dyslexic pupils). For sixth-form entry to study A-levels, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects); to study AVCEs, each application treated individually. No religious requirements. 50% senior intake are from state schools (and few to sixth form); large intake from own junior school, Orchard Close.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Scholarships, value up to 25%–50% of day fee: academic, art and music. Variable number of bursaries, open first to Quakers, then to others. Parents not required to buy textbooks.

Parents 50+% live within 30 miles; 15% live overseas.

Head & staff
Head: Michael Goodwin, in post 2004. Educated at Bury Grammar School and universities of Nottingham and London. Previously Headteacher of Sheringham High School & Sixth Form Centre, Deputy Head of Thorpe St Andrew School, Head of Humanities & Curriculum Mananger at Colne Community School.
Teaching staff: 45 full time, 23 part time plus visiting music staff. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 45.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 39 pupils in Year 11: 21% gained at least grade C in 8 subjects, 38% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 44 (38 over 5 years).
A-levels: 15 in upper sixth: 87% passed in 3 subjects, 13% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 266.

University & college entrance Majority of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. Others typically go on to art, drama or music colleges, to other non-degree courses or some straight into careers eg retail management or training schemes.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels, and Voctional A-levels (AVCEs). 14 AS/A-level subjects, 5 AVCEs, including business, leisure & recreation; travel & tourism; media & ICT.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects in Year 12, 3 in Year 13; general studies not taken.
Special provision: Highly regarded Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) Unit provides specialised support.
Languages: French and German offered to GCSE and A-level.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum (eg coursework; voice recognition for those with SPLD); early morning touch-typing training. 50+ computers for pupil use (11 hours a day), majority networked and some with e-mail and internet access.

The arts Most of the school involved in creative and/or performing arts.
Music: 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include choirs, chamber choir, gospel choir, orchestra, various ensembles of different sizes and styles. Music competitions and recitals.
Drama: Many pupils involved in school productions.

Sport & activities
Sport: Sports available: Rugby, soccer, cricket, hockey, netball, squash, tennis, volleyball, swimming, athletics, basketball, badminton, sailing, skiing, golf, orienteering.
Activities: Pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Outreach programme and other community services.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Head boy and girl, student management team, heads of boarding houses – appointed by the Head or house staff.
Religion: School has Quaker ethos and welcomes pupils of all faiths.
Social: Theatre visits, visits organised to Oxford, Stratford, Banbury weekly; dances dinners etc. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring bike to school. School shop and tuck shop.

Discipline Based upon mutual respect, supported by a clear system of sanctions.

Boarding Sixth formers in single or double study bedroom. Houses of approximately 30, most single-sex; separate sixth-form house. Resident qualified nurse. Central dining room; meals self-service. Pupils can provide and cook supplementary food. Weekly boarding available.

Alumni association is run by Mike and Wendy Finch, c/o the school.

Former pupils Paul Eddington; Sir John Burgh; Guy Ritchie; Peter McCurdy.