Admissions Update

As the College looks forward to welcoming its new pupils to the school in September, the Admissions Team has now turned its attention to entry for 2022.

Entrance Examinations, for entry to the school in September 2022, will take place on Saturday 6 November 2021 and we are already busy accepting registrations.

There are plenty of opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the College before the Entrance Exams take place; including our Open Afternoon and Open Morning in September as well as the Year 5 and 6 Taster Experiences in June and September. Our summer Open Evening is already full. 

Comments Melanie Butler, Assistant Head, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, "Parents and pupils will have plenty of time to prepare and opportunities to visit the College in the run up to the exams. The results will be sent out at the end of November, making for an exam-free Christmas holiday, which has got to be good news."

Following the Entrance Exams, offer letters will be sent out on Thursday 25 November 2021 and the acceptance deadlines will be Monday 13 December 2021 for Years 8, 9 and 10 and Thursday 3 March 2022 for Year 7. The acceptance deadline for Year 7 places is, by a nationally agreed code of practice, the same for all independent schools, allowing parents and children time to review all their options, including those from the maintained sector, before making a final decision.

If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact the Registrar, Vanessa Rooney, on 01926 634201 or email admissions@princethorpe.co.uk.

Princethorpe College’s plans for a new Science Centre are moving apace with planning permission granted and further campus wide benefits unveiled.

The state-of-the-art £8 million Science Centre, which will allow the College to redevelop and cluster several other departments, was granted planning permission in 2019 and the College has since revealed further plans for a new suite of Art studios, additional space for Maths and Technology, increased dining capacity and sporting facilities.

Comments, Foundation Headmaster, Ed Hester, “Princethorpe is situated at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry, where Science and Engineering meet Art and Design. We know that our pupils need the finest facilities to give them the best opportunities for their future and widening the scope of our Science Campaign to encompass all STEAM subjects enables us to provide these.”

All the preparatory planning for the building is now nearing completion, including the detailed technical design of the building and the Bill of Quantities. This means that the project will be ready to go forward to tender, the stage where we appoint the main building contractor, as soon as we judge the time to be right. It is hoped that the centre will open its doors for teaching in autumn 2023.

Mr Hester continues, “This is a large, complex and exciting project. The next few months will be critical as we prepare thoroughly for the tendering process.”

A fundraising campaign has been launched to work hand in hand with the delivery of the project. The Science Plus Campaign outlines a menu of giving including engraved pavers and bricks, sponsorship of elements on a giant periodic table and personal and corporate naming opportunities.

More information on the new Science Building and campus improvements and the Science Plus campaign can be found here.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.

Four Princethorpe College Sixth Form students were thrilled to receive offers for places at Oxford and Cambridge University this year.

Deputy Head Girl, Lauren Mason, will be reading Natural Sciences at Selwyn College, Cambridge, Deputy Head Girl, Grace McGrory, will be reading Law at Pembroke College, Oxford, Deputy Head Boy, James Gallagher, will be reading Law at The Queen’s College, Oxford and former Deputy Head Girl, Hannah Porter, will be reading History at Trinity College, Oxford.

Oxbridge places are highly oversubscribed and increasingly competitive, so these talented students faced a tough selection process consisting of pre-tests, intensive scrutiny of their academic and personal achievements and rigorous interviews.

Their success was not achieved without a great deal of hard work from the students, as well as hours of dedicated support and encouragement from their teachers, parents and even former students, who provided individual guidance and support over the past few months.

Princethorpe College Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie, commented, “These four students earned this success. During their time at Princethorpe College they applied themselves to their academic studies and to developing themselves as confident and mature young people. Applying to Oxbridge is an extremely rigorous and character-testing experience that seems to get tougher every year.  We were delighted to support them with their applications and are exceptionally proud of their achievement.”

We are very proud of these talented young people and of all our Upper Sixth students applying to study at University next year, the majority of whom have received offers through the UCAS system.

Princethorpe College’s entirely virtual production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar School Production was a world first and the culmination of an astounding year of ingenuity for the Music and Performing Arts team.

Available for just eight days, over Easter 2021, the powerful performance telling the story of Christ’s arrest and crucifixion was both moving and incredible. Together, Directors Jess Newborough and Gil Cowlishaw and their mighty team of Princethorpe players delivered a world first, a completely virtual production that simply took your breath away.

After the announcement of the lockdown in January, and in agreement with the rights holders, who also confirmed this had never been attempted before, pupils individually recorded virtual performances that were then edited together to produce a completely virtual show. Featuring all the classic rock musical numbers that everyone loves, including Gethsemane, I Don’t Know How To Love Him and the mighty anthem Superstar.

Gil Cowlishaw, Director of Music, explains, “In ‘normal’ times, we would have never been allowed to make a movie musical but the College has proved that virtual performances can work. It took a lot of determination and ‘can do’ Princethorpe spirit but the hours of rehearsing, performance and editing were certainly worth it.”

Huge congratulations to the cast and crew for their vision, tenacity and sheer effort in putting it all together and as feedback on the production enthusiastically said ‘You completely owned it’ and ‘We are absolutely astounded by you all!’

Princethorpe Lower Sixth Former, Stan Brocklebank has been awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. The accolade, which comes from The Smallpeice Trust, the UK’s leading STEM Education Charity, is the most prestigious scholarship of its type in the UK. The scholarships support high calibre students while they study for their A-levels, inspiring and encouraging them to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, computing and technical design.

The scholarships are awarded to students through a rigorous selection process, Head of Design and Technology, Paul Scopes, explains, “The Arkwright Scholarship is for talented Year 11 pupils who are interested in a career in Engineering. Pupils are nominated by their teachers, and submit an application focused on their engineering activities, interests and future plans. Applicants then take a two-hour examination where their problem-solving skills and engineering potential are put to the test and if successful they attend a rigorous interview at University. Pupils must be studying Design Technology and must plan to take Maths at A-level. Last year the College nominated five pupils, and Stan and, former Year 11 pupil, Carys Burchell were both successful and awarded scholarships. This was the first time the College had participated in the scheme and as these scholarships are really tough to get, we are very pleased to have two awarded in the first year.”

Paul continues, “Stan is currently studying A-level DT, Maths and Physics. He has always stood out as a focused and talented engineer. He has been a member of the College’s Robotics team, competing in Holland and Italy where he took a leading role as well as mentoring younger pupils. He was appointed DT Subject Leader in Year 10. His GCSE DT project was a new suspension set up for Autograss race cars and he completed it to an excellent standard. He has a bright future ahead of him in engineering and it really is a pleasure to teach him.”

Those lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship, receive a financial award and the support of a mentor who works with them throughout their time in Sixth Form. They are also given the opportunity to take part in courses and events for Arkwright Scholars. They benefit from networking opportunities with like-minded students, gain confidence and knowledge in their subjects and often relevant work experience. They are ideally positioned to pursue Engineering, Computing or Technical Design at university or a higher-level apprenticeship before moving into industry to progress their career.

On receiving the news, Stan said, “These scholarships are one of a kind for people who are young and aspiring engineers, there is nothing to lose going for one of these awards and the rewards are incredible.”

Stan plans to go on to study Automotive Engineering at university, and is hoping to then work in the Automotive industry, he would like to work for a World Rallycross team.

Head of Sixth Form, Ben Collie, comments, “Arkwright Scholarships are highly sought after as they provide exceptional support. Pupils who successfully obtain an award have access to unparalleled opportunities. Arkwright Engineering Scholars achieve excellent academic success and are known to make enviable career progress. Stan has done incredibly well to receive this accolade and we congratulate him on his success.”

More information on the Arkwright Scholarship is available at www.arkwright.org.uk

2020 leaver, Dominic Turner-Burr has just been awarded first place in the Key Stage 5 Photography category of the Independent Schools Association’s prestigious National Art Competition.

Dominic’s winning work, titled Fighting Back, was part of his A-level Photography portfolio. His striking image explores the challenge of managing the negativity that people experience in their daily lives. It depicts how using numbers and codes helps people to identify and label different coping strategies.

His work took first place in the Regional ISA Art competition back in November and Princethorpe College Head of Art, Paul Hubball, is delighted that Dominic’s work has gone on to take top spot in the national event.

Paul comments, “Many congratulations to Dom, he is a worthy recipient of this award. His entry was exceptional and is a product of the many hours of work he put into it. It is marvellous to see his talent rewarded in this way.”

This recognition is also a testament to the depth and range of talent in Princethorpe's Art and Photography Department.

Princethorpe College has just launched a new online interactive map that allows visitors and prospective parents to take a mini-tour around the school. Especially now, when on-site visits are limited, the virtual map provides a window into the school, its buildings and grounds and all those iconic places that are such a part of daily life here at Princethorpe.

The new College map is a good place for prospective parents to start exploring the school and getting a feel for the College before registering to visit the school. It is also great for prospective pupils helping them to imagine life here at Princethorpe amongst all their new friends.

The map will also be of interest to all Old Princethorpians allowing them to wander down the corridors of their yesteryears and will be sure to spark a host of memories of their time at the school.

If you would like to take a look at the new College map then you can find it here: www.princethorpe.co.uk/collegemap

Five of our top Physicists in Year 11 took part in the Intermediate Physics Olympiad in March. It's a competition that tests pupils’ knowledge and understanding of basic physics principles, with really challenging problems that go well beyond the standard curriculum. 4,700 pupils from over 200 schools took part this year and were awarded certificates - Commendation, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Due to the pandemic, this year's competition took the format of two 25-minute multiple choice papers sat online. All five Princethorpe Year 11 were awarded certificates:

Madoc Williams commented, "I found the Physics Olympiad a fun challenge that pushed me and made me take my Physics knowledge to the next level."

Will Hawkins said, "I really enjoyed the challenge, especially seeing how physics is useful in the real world. Although I was glad it was multiple-choice!"

Tom Knight added, "I saw this as a challenge that I could overcome, and pushed myself to see how much Physics I truly understand."

It was a great enrichment activity for the boys.

The Oxford University Computing Challenge is an invitational event for those who finished in the top 10% of the UK Bebras Challenge. Both challenges test skills such as logical thinking, pattern identification and decomposition as well as computer programming. The Oxford University Computing Challenge encourages pupils to develop their skills one stage further and consists of three sections of problems for pupils to solve.

Year 7 pupil, Daniel Oven Gibbs competed in the Junior section against just over 2,700 pupils who had qualified for this year’s OUCC competition. Daniel finished in the top 15%, achieving a Merit grade for his submission. It was a super result.

Head of Computer Science, Adam Depledge said, “This is a really fantastic achievement by Daniel. Computational thinking is an incredibly useful and powerful skill and Daniel has shown he has mastered it to a level well beyond his years. It’s great to see his abilities recognised in such a prestigious competition at such a young age and we look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in the future.”

The College’s Anatomical Art competition was won by, Year 8 pupil, Amelia Chard. Her stunning specimen drawing of a wolf, amazed Head of Biology, Faye Roberts and Head of Art, Paul Hubball and as you can see from the image, is very deserving of its win.

The co-curricular competition encouraged pupils to bring together their artistic skills and knowledge of Biology in an anatomical drawing on a subject of their choice. Entrants could choose any subject and submit their work in any style.

Amelia’s drawing was impressive, demonstrating both her artistic skill and biological knowledge, and her work will now be submitted into the Royal Society of Biology’s national competition, ‘The Nancy Rothwell Award’.

Congratulations also go to, Year 8, Dylan Williams who took second place with his drawing of coral and to, Year 8, Roxy Glenn and, Year 7, Hetty Frost who both received a Highly Commended for their drawings of a chameleon and guinea pig respectively.

Combining Art and Science in a co-curricular competition is part of the College’s ongoing promotion of STEAM. An approach that builds links between the subjects and helps to cement learning and encourage pupil creativity.

The College’s magazine, The Tower Review, is published annually.

It tells the story of the school year, term by term, reflecting on the whole host of activities, achievements and successes that pupils from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth took part in.  It includes highlights such as Prize Giving and the College productions and performances as well as reviews of sporting events, House competitions and school trips. 

The latest edition celebrated the 2019/20 school year with its many wonderful and memorable moments and unusual challenges. The Tower Review gives an excellent insight into life at the College and you can view a copy here.

Issue 29 of The Pinnacle and The Minnacle was published in late February showcasing exceptional work by pupils from across the Foundation. 

A testament to the dedication of pupils and staff to continue with their studies in the face of the ongoing pandemic restrictions they included news of Oxbridge and Arkwright success alongside stunning sketchbooks and musical collaborations, Maths and Physics awards and creative writing challenges. The magazines showcased flair and ingenuity across a wide range of subjects and year groups.

The Pinnacle focuses on the work of pupils here at Princethorpe College, while the Minnacle includes equally impressive work by the Foundation junior schools, Crackley Hall and Crescent School. 

You can enjoy our celebration of their studies here: The Pinnacle and The Minnacle.