Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Choosing a boarding school is a decision about where your child will grow up. I hope these pages, and a visit, help you make it with confidence.
At The Great Duke, we believe a good education does two things at once. It develops a sharp, well-stocked mind, and it develops a person of good character. We do not think you have to choose between them. Our name, taken from the Duke of Wellington's famous title, is a reminder of the qualities we want to grow: steadiness, a sense of duty, the courage to lead. Our emblem, a coronet above an open book, puts character and learning side by side.
What You Will Notice
Visitors often tell us the first thing they notice is the atmosphere. Corridors are purposeful but friendly. Pupils hold doors, look you in the eye and are happy to talk about what they are learning. Teachers know their pupils well, not just by name, but by what makes them tick.
That is no accident. Classes are small. Every pupil has a personal tutor who follows their progress, academic and personal, and who is the first point of contact for families. In the boarding houses, resident houseparents and their teams provide the kind of care you would hope for at home: consistent, warm and alert.
High Expectations, Real Support
We expect a great deal of our pupils. We expect them to work hard, to read widely, to take part, and to treat others with respect. We also make sure they have the support to meet those expectations, whether that is extra help in a subject, a quiet word when something is worrying them, or the encouragement to try something new.
Beyond the classroom, the school is busy every day of the week. Sport, music, drama, debating, clubs and community service give every pupil a chance to find what they love and to discover what they are capable of. Boarders and day pupils share all of it.
Come and See
No website can tell you what a school feels like. The best way to know us is to visit: to walk round with our pupils, step into a boarding house, sit in on a lesson and ask every question you have. I look forward to welcoming you.
Jonathan Hartwell
Head