Princethorpe College is a Catholic, co-educational, HMC independent day school and welcomes members of all faiths and backgrounds. The school was founded as a boys’ school in 1957 in Leamington Spa by the congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), moving to its present site, a former Benedictine monastery, in 1966. The College became co-educational in 1996 and, in September 2001, formed a partnership with Crackley Hall School in Kenilworth in order to provide continuous education from 2 to 18 years. A further merger took place in September 2016 with the Crescent School, Rugby. All schools are members of an independent trust – The Princethorpe Foundation.
Number in school. The school has around 900 day pupils from 11 to 18 years with some 200 in the Sixth Form. An extensive network of private coaches transports pupils from a wide area.
Aims. The College provides a caring, Christian environment for children where their needs can be met and their talents, confidence and self-esteem developed. There is a healthy balance between freedom and structure and an emphasis on self-discipline through responsibility and trust, which develops confidence and independence.
The College draws on a rich tradition of Catholic teaching and the spirituality of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, whose ethos is central to its character. In welcoming families of a variety of faiths and none, the school community is a living example of ecumenism. The College motto, Christus Regnet – let Christ reign – is a reminder of Christ’s love, service, forgiveness and generosity of spirit.
Academic. A broad-based, stimulating curriculum satisfies a wide range of ability and fosters a love of learning. A favourable pupil to teacher ratio, permitting personal attention, contributes to impressive value-added achievements. High fliers are stretched and provided with intellectually challenging assignments through our da Vinci Programme, ensuring that they achieve at the highest possible levels. The curriculum is well supported by a magnificent library and ICT. Qualified specialists give tuition to pupils with special educational needs.
Pupils in Years 7 to 9 have a broad-based curriculum which avoids early specialisation and they usually go on to take nine or ten GCSEs.
Supervised homework and free extended day are offered until 6.00 pm.
The Sixth Form. Students in the Sixth Form are prepared for A level examinations after which the vast majority proceed to university. The Head of Sixth Form and the team of tutors monitor the academic progress of Sixth Formers through regular discussions with the students and their teachers. Visits to university Open Days, together with professional careers advice, enable students to make the best choices about their next stage of education.
Our Sixth Form enrichment programme puts a strong emphasis on the acquisition of key skills and the education of the whole person. Sixth Formers are offered residential outward bound courses, training programmes and retreats, which provide an opportunity for reflection and exploration to develop a mature and balanced perspective. Guest lecturers, debates and trips all enhance Sixth Form life.
All Sixth Formers enjoy privileges and have the responsibilities of leadership and example; certain members are elected to perform prefectorial duties. Prefects attend a leadership course and learn valuable management skills. They organise activities for younger pupils and chair the School Council, which offers a forum for lively discussion and gives the students an influential voice in the running of the College. The House Captains have a pivotal role in the organisation of inter-house events.
Careers. The Careers Advice Programme commences in Year 9 and regular tutorials are held concentrating on option subject choices and developing careers awareness. Interview technique is developed and students are assisted with work experience placements which are undertaken at the end of Year 10 and Lower Sixth. The College also holds a biennial Careers Fair for pupils in Year 10 to Sixth Form and their parents.
Art & Design. A feature which immediately strikes all visitors to the College is the outstanding display of canvases. Superb examination results and successes in national competitions are commonplace. The study of drawing, painting, graphics and ceramics are central and they are enhanced by using the work of great artists as stimulus material.
Technology includes Food, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Textiles and Electronics. Pupils can work with a variety of materials, realising their technical designs in the well-resourced workshops, which includes CAD/CAM facilities.
Music and Drama. Music is studied by all pupils in their first three years and as an option at GCSE and A level. The College choir gives regular performances and tours. Many pupils learn instruments and are encouraged to join the orchestra. Peripatetic staff offer tuition in most instruments. There is a state-of-the-art studio with digital recording facilities for Music Technology and there is an acclaimed Binns organ in the magnificent Chapel built by Peter Paul Pugin.
The College has a theatre, and regular productions are staged including musicals and revues. Productions involve a large number of pupils and staff and provide an excellent way for pupils of different years to get to know each other. There are thriving Dance and Drama Clubs. Theatre Studies is offered in the Sixth Form.
Physical Education. All pupils participate in games and Physical Education classes. Physical Education can also be studied as an examination subject at GCSE and A level, as can a BTEC in Physical Education. The major sports are rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, rounders, tennis and athletics; they are run in tandem with badminton, soccer, squash, basketball and trampolining.
The Sports Centre has a sports hall, fitness gym and a climbing wall. Extensive outdoor facilities include an internationally recognised cross-country course, floodlit all-weather pitch, tennis courts and over 60 acres of games pitches.
Sports Clubs include Rugby, Football, Hockey, Netball, Climbing Wall, Badminton, Archery, Golf, Fitness, Running, Trampolining, Cycling, Athletics, Rounders and Tennis.
Co-curricular activities. There is always a wide range of clubs, societies and activities such as Airgineers, Art, Beekeeping, Book Club, Chess, Cookery, Craft, Creative Writing, Dance, Darts, Debating, Drama, Electric Car Club, Equestrian Club, Film Review, Green Team and Wildlife Club, History Club, ICT, Language Conversation – Spanish and French, MEDSOC. Mindfulness, Model UN, Photography, Poetry, Project Club, Psychology, Science, Technical Theatre, Textiles, Young Designers, Youth Chaplaincy and Youth St Vincent de Paul. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, World Challenge, Camps International and Outward Bound courses are also offered. The Arts Society provides a cultural programme of lectures, poetry evenings, music recitals and play readings.
Admissions. Admission is by examination, in November, for entry the following September, generally at 11 and 13 and at other ages as space allows. Students from other schools join the Sixth Form after their GCSE courses.
Scholarships. There is a variety of Scholarships available for particularly able or talented candidates, ranging from Academic, Art and Sports to a range of Performing Arts including Choral, Drama, Music and Musical Theatre (including dance). Additionally, for the Sixth Form there are Academic, Art, Music, Organ and Sports Scholarships available. Scholarships to a maximum reduction of 50% of tuition fees are on offer.
Academic Scholarships: Candidates applying for entry in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 will be considered automatically for an academic scholarship when taking the Entrance Examination.
Art Scholarships: Candidates must submit a portfolio and attend an Art Scholarship day. Further details and an Art Scholarship application form are available from the Registrar.
Performing Arts Scholarship – Choral: Candidates must attend an audition. Further details and a Choral Scholarship application form are available from the Registrar.
Performing Arts Scholarship – Drama: Candidates must attend an audition. Further details and a Drama Scholarship application form are available from the Registrar.
Performing Arts Scholarship – Music: Candidates must attend an audition. Further details and a Music Scholarship application form are available from the Registrar.
Performing Arts Scholarships – Musical Theatre (including Dance): Candidates must attend an audition. Further details and a Musical Theatre application form are available from the Registrar.
Sports Scholarship: Candidates must attend a live assessment session. Further details and a Sports Scholarship application form are available from the Registrar.
All Rounder Scholarships: In addition to the scholarships that can be applied for, exceptional candidates who are both academically able and gifted and talented across a number of areas may be considered for an All-Rounder Scholarship, which is awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster.
Sixth Form Academic Scholarships: Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are open to all external candidates who are expected to achieve 9–7 grades at GCSE. Applicants will be invited to the Academic Scholarships Day where they will sit a Verbal Reasoning examination and have an interview with the Headmaster. More details are available from the Registrar.
Sixth Form Sports Scholarships: Senior Sport Scholarships may be awarded to internal or external candidates entering the Sixth Form. Full details are available from the Registrar.
Sixth Form Music – Instrumental, Choral and Organ Scholarships: Candidates must attend an audition. Full details are available from the Registrar. In the Sixth Form there is also an Organ Scholarship of up to 50% of tuition fees available to candidates who have a high level of ability and are committed and enthusiastic performers. Again details are available from the Registrar.
Sixth Form Drama Scholarships: Students will be required to attend an audition. Further details available from the Registrar.
Sixth Form Art Scholarships: Students will be required to attend an Art Scholarship Day. Further details available from the Registrar.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £5,623 excluding transport and meals. Instrumental tuition, external examinations and some targeted support for those with learning needs are charged as extras.
Charitable status. The Princethorpe Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1087124. It exists solely for the education of children.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Trustees:
Bernie Bell, LLB, MCIPD, PG Cert
Jatinder Birdi
Simon Brown, BSc
John Fisher
Barbara Forster, Cert Ed
Richard Harcourt, MBA
Charlie Jenkinson, BA, CIPS, MILT
Rowland Johnson, BCom, MSocSc
Helen Knight, BA, PGCE, MA, NPQH
Robert Lee, LLB
Sally Rosser, BEd
Commodore Bernard Warner
Nigel Westlake, LLB, PGCE
Staff:
Headmaster: Grove du Toit, BA Ed, BA, BEd, MA, MBA
Deputy Heads:
Pastoral: Beth Sharpe, BSc, PGCE, PGCert Ed (Special Needs and Inclusion; Design and Technology; Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Academic: Michael Spencer, BScm, PGCE (Physics)
Assistant Heads:
Co-curricular and Operations: Neil McCollin, BA, QTS
Teaching and Learning: Dr Liz Pyne, BA, MA, PGCE, PhD (History)
Head of Sixth Form: Ben Collie, BSc (Biology)
Foundation Principal: Ed Hester, MA Oxon, PGCE (Mathematics)
Foundation Bursar, Company Secretary and Clerk to the Trustees: Eddie Tolcher, BA, ACIB, MCMI, TechIOSH
Foundation Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communications: Melanie Butler, BA
Foundation Director of Digital Strategy: Andy Compton, BA, PGCE, MA (Modern Languages)
Foundation Director of Development: Steve Kowal, BSc
Foundation Director of Estates: Robert Heath, BSc, PGCE
Foundation Head of Business Services: Rebecca Iley, AAT, CIMA, PGCE
Foundation Head of Finance: Claire Alcock, ATT, ACCA
* Head of Department
Art:
*Paul Hubball, BA, PGCE (also Head of Photography)
Rebecca Blunsom-Washbrook, BA, GTP (also Photography)
Helen Greaves, BA, PGCE
Susan Harris, BA, PGCE (Head of Transition and Induction)
Careers:
*Jacqui Quinney, BA, PGCE
Kerry Low, BA, Dip CG (Careers Adviser)
Classics:
*Laura Rindler, MA Oxon, PGCE, MBA
Computer Science:
*Edward Musson, BA, PGCE
Steve Carter, BSc, PGCE
CoRE Programme:
Anne Allen, BSc, PGCE (Assistant Head of Sixth Form; Geography)
Kieran McCullough, BA, PGCE (House Activities Co-ordinator for Fisher; Religious Studies and Games)
Adam Rickart, BSc, PGCE (Head of Austin House)
Joanne Smith, MChem, PGCE (Chemistry; Assistant Head of Sixth Form Academic)
Design and Technology:
*Paul Scopes, BEd, AST
Catherine Morrish, BSc, PGCE
Kati Nelson, BA, PGCE (Teacher in Charge of Textiles)
William O’Hara, BSc, PGCE
Jacqui Scott, BSc, PGCE (Teacher in Charge of Food Technology; Games)
Beth Sharpe, BSc, MA, PGCE, PGCert – Education (Special Needs and Inclusion; Deputy Head – Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Tom Walton, BSc, PGCE (Games)
Drama and Theatre Studies:
*Aileen Cefaliello, BA, PGCE (English)
*Vicky Roberts, BA, PGCE
Economics and Business:
*Elizabeth Gane, BA, PGCE
Helen Baker, BA, PGCE (Geography)
Helen Essery, LLB, PGCE (Head of Law)
Louisa Fielding, BA, PGCE (Senior Head of House; Head of Fisher House)
Daniel Lumb, BA
Laura Wilford, BSc, QTS
English:
*Helen Pascoe-Williams, BA, PGCE
David Leach BA, PGCE
Rachael Mack, BA, QTS (Games)
Fiona Moon, BA, Post Grad Cert in Dyslexia and Literacy (Second in Department; Special Educational Needs)
Jessica Newborough, BA, PGCE (Head of More House)
Jack Parker, BA, PGCE
Lydia Petrucci, BA, PGCE
Joanna Turner BA, PGCE
Geography:
*Helen Baker, BA, PGCE (Economics and Business)
Anne Allen, BSc, PGCE (Assistant Head of Sixth Form; CoRE Programme)
Stewart Dear, BSc, QTS (Games)
Sarah Evans, BSc, PGCE
History:
*Adelaide Fretwell, BA, MA, PGC (Head of Politics)
Katharine Darwood-Bredin, BSc, GTP
Tracey Hester, BA Oxon, PGCE (Oxbridge Co-ordinator)
Julia Lindsay, BA, MA, PGCE (Challenge Curriculum Co-ordinator; Politics)
Greg Lyttle, BA, MA, PGCE (Teacher in Charge of Politics)
Dr Liz Pyne, BA, MA, PGCE, PhD (Assistant Head – Teaching and Learning)
Law:
*Helen Essery, LLB, PGCE (Business)
Camilla Wellman, BA, MA, MCCT, PGCE
Mathematics:
*Sharon McBride, BSc, PGCE, ALCM
Tanya Cowan, BSc, PGCE
Ed Hester, MA Oxon, PGCE (Headmaster)
Helen Lewis, BA (Second in Mathematics)
Davinya Munford, BSc, PGCE
Alex Phillips, BSc, PGCE (Games)
Leanne Rickart, BEd
Alef Rosenbaum, MA Oxon, PGCE
Theodoros Scoutas, PGCE (KS5 Mathematics Coordinator)
Gabor Toth, MSc
Isobel Turner-Pryce, MA, PGCE
Modern Languages:
*Stella Keenan, MA, PGCE (Spanish Subject Leader and French)
Katy Burrows BA, PGCE
Andy Compton, BA, MA, PGCE (Foundation Director of Digital Strategy)
Sarah Duran, Licence LLCE Anglais, PGCE (Second in Department)
Heather Foulerton, BA, PGCE
Michele Gawthorpe, MA Oxon, QTS
Natalie Shedden, BA, PGCE
Music:
*Gil Cowlishaw, BMus (Director of Music)
Alison Wakeley, BMus, MMus, PGCE (REAL Time Coordinator)
Photography:
*Paul Hubball, BA, PGCE (Head of Art)
Rebecca Blunsom-Washbrook, BA, GTP (Art)
Physical Education and Games:
*Lee Cassell, BA, PGCE (Foundation Director of Sport)
Miss Ellie Callan, BSc, NQT (Sports Talent Development Programme Co-ordinator)
Hannah Carminati, BSc, QTS (Sports Leadership Award Co-ordinator and Primary School Sport Liaison)
Ben Collie, BSc (Biology, Head of Sixth Form)
Stewart Dear, BSc, QTS (Geography)
Sarah Evans, BSc, PGCE (Geography)
Stuart Friswell (Rugby Coach)
Elizabeth Gane, BA, PGCE (Head of Economics and Business)
Thomas Gleghorn, BSc, PGCE (Head of Academic PE)
Natalie Hardy, BTEC (Sports GTA)
Joe Jackson, BSc, PGCE (Head of Boys’ Games)
Rachael Mack, BA, QTS (Hockey Coach; English)
Neil McCollin, BA, QTS (Assistant Head – Co-curricular)
Megan McDonagh, BSc, PGCE (PE and Games Coach)
Alex Phillips, BSc, PGCE (Mathematics)
Jacqui Scott, BSc, PGCE (Design and Technology)
Cyprian Vella, BA, MA, PGCE (Assistant Head of Sixth Form; Head of Religious Studies)
Tom Walton, BSc, PGCE (Design and Technology)
Clare White, BSc, PGCE (Science; Psychology and Sociology)
Harry Walters, BSc, PGCE
Carly Walton, BA, PGCE (Head of Girls’ Games)
Paul Whitehead (Hockey Coach)
Politics:
*Greg Lyttle, BA, MA, PGCE (Teacher in Charge of Politics; History)
Katharine Darwood-Bredin, BSc, GTP (History)
Julia Lindsay, BA, MA, PGCE (History and Games)
Psychology and Sociology:
*Lynsey Dixon, PA, PGCE (Head of Psychology and Sociology)
Adam Rickart, BSc, PGCE (Head of Austin House; CoRE Programme)
Clare White, BSc, PGCE (Science and Games)
Religious Studies:
*Cyprian Vella, BA, MA, PGCE (Assistant Head of Sixth Form; Games)
Grove du Toit, BA, MA, MBA (Headmaster)
Kieran McCullough, BA, PGCE (House activities Coordinator Fisher; CoRE Programme)
Megan O’Gorman, BA, QTS
Marianne Tallis, BA, PGCE
Special Educational Needs Department:
*Natasha Warwood, BA, QTS, NASENCO (Head of Learning Support and SENCo)
Lorna Prestage, BSc, PGCE, PG Dip, ADG (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
Emilie Bergerat, HND (Learning Support Assistant)
Naomi Chard, BA, PGCE (Learning Support Assistant; also Learning Support Teacher; House Leader - Austin)
Rebecca Gonan, BA, PGCE (Learning Support Assistant; also Learning Support Teacher)
Ann Marie Isaacs (Learning Support Assistant) Amanda Kelly (Learning Support Assistant)
Fiona Moon, BA, PGCert SpLD (also English)
Rebecca Moreton (Learning Support Assistant)
Lee O’Gorman (Learning Support Assistant)
Angela Ritson, BA, QTS (Learning Support Teacher)
The Sciences:
*Emma Cooper, BSc, PGCE (Head of Science; Head of Chemistry)
Ben Collie, BSc (Biology: also Head of Sixth Form; Games)
Sam Curtis, BSc, PGCE (Chemistry)
Dan Lee, MEng, PGCE (Second in Science; Head of Physics) Head of STEAM
Dr Emilie Onyekwe, BSc, QTS (Chemistry)
Faye Roberts, BSc, MSc, PGCE (Biology)
Simon Robertson, BSc, PGCE (Biology)
Sophie Rose, BSc, PGCE (Physics)
Joanne Smith, MChem, PGCE (Chemistry; also Assistant Head of Sixth Form - Academic)
Rob Southern, BSc, PGCE (Physics)
Michael Spencer, BSc, PGCE (Physics: also Deputy Head Academic)
Catherine Warne, BSc, PGCE (Head of Biology)
Clare White, BSc, PGCE (Science; also House Leader - Benet; Psychology and Sociology; Games)
Dan White, BSc, PGCE (Biology and Chemistry)