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Tonbridge School
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Description: Tonbridge 6
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Tonbridge School
Org 1: HMC
 
Description: Tonbridge School

Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP
Telephone: 01732 365555
Motto: Deus dat incrementum
Key dates: Autumn term: Wednesday 4 September 2024 to Wednesday 11 December 2024
Half term: Saturday 19 October 2024 to Sunday 3 November 2024

Spring term: Monday 6 January 2025 to Thursday 27 March 2025
Half term: Friday 14 February 2025 to Sunday 23 February 2025

Summer term: Tuesday 22 April 2025 to Saturday 5 July 2025
Half term: Friday 23 May 2025 to Sunday 1 June 2025
Age Range: Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Full Boarding
Gender: Boys
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), GCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Art, Drama, DT, Music, Sport
Scholarships Other Types: Choral
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
Scholarships and Bursaries – Further DetailsPlease use the section below to add details of any scholarships and bursaries that your school offers. 
Scholarships and Bursaries – Further Details
Awarded in Year 6: Junior Foundation Scholarships to those who display exceptional academic ability and where there is significant financial need. Assessment date: November 2024.
Awarded in Year 8: Top Academic Scholarship (Ainslie), a one-off award of £4,000. In addition, there are 20 further Academic Scholarships; 10 or more Music awards; up to 10 Art, Drama, or Design, Technology and Engineering awards; and 4 Cowdrey (sport) Scholarships. All receive a one-time £2,000 award. All Scholarship award winners are eligible to apply for a supplementary means-tested bursary.
13+ Scholarships:
Academic Scholarship candidates are examined at Tonbridge in late April 2025/early May 2025.
Music, Art, Drama, Cowdrey and Design, Technology and Engineering Scholarship candidates are assessed at Tonbridge in the week beginning 20 January 2025.
16+ Scholarships:
Academic and Music Scholarship candidates are awarded to boys of exceptional ability.
Please contact Hayley McLintock, Deputy Head Admissions & Communications, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1JP. Email: admissions@tonbridge-school.org Tel: 01732 304297.
 
Tonbridge has a distinctive mixture of boarders and day boys and enjoys superb indoor and outdoor facilities on a 150-acre site, which lies only 40 minutes by train from central London. It currently has just over 800 boys, who come from a variety of backgrounds.
The School is highly respected, both in the UK and internationally, for providing a world-class education. Boys are encouraged to be creative and intellectually curious; to approach new opportunities with confidence; and to learn to think for themselves and develop leadership skills, while being mindful of the needs and views of others. A Tonbridge education includes a vibrant programme of co-curricular breadth and depth.
Tonbridge is renowned for its high-quality, innovative teaching and learning, and for academic achievement. Exam results at A-level and GCSE are outstanding each year. In 2024, 40 per cent of all A-level grades awarded were at the very highest grade of A*. In total, 76 per cent of all grades were A* or A, while nearly all grades (94.4 per cent) achieved by Tonbridge A-level students were either A*, A or B.
In GCSEs for 2024, 46 per cent of grades were at 9, the highest possible grade, and almost three quarters (73 per cent) were at 9 and 8 (with both grades the equivalent of A*). Overall, 89 per cent of grades were at 9, 8 or 7.
In the Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ Schools Guide 2024, Tonbridge is ranked as the sixth best independent school nationally, and is placed second overall in the south-east.
Each year the School's Upper Sixth leavers gain places at the UK’s leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group institutions, with the large majority securing their chosen destination. Those opting to study abroad also attend prestigious institutions, most commonly in the USA. Tonbridge boys have recently gained places (and scholarships) at UCLA, NYU, Purdue, Michigan, Clemson, William & Mary, as well as at universities in Australia, Hong Kong and Portugal.
Pastoral care is based around an outstanding House system. Strong and positive relationships between boys, staff and parents are central to its success, and the School ensures that each pupil, whether a boarder or a day boy, feels fully at home and well supported.
The School has a genuine commitment to widening access: a key part of its ethos is to ensure that any bright, talented boy has the opportunity to benefit from a Tonbridge education, regardless of background or financial situation. The School aims to increase the number of boys on significant financial support by the time of its 475th anniversary in 2028.
Location. Tonbridge School is just off the M25, on the edge of the Kent / Surrey / Sussex borders, and attracts families from all over southern England and beyond. It lies in 150 acres of land on the edge of the town of Tonbridge, providing a good balance between town and country living.
About 155 boys are admitted at the age of 13 (Year 9) each year. An additional 20 or so places are available for entry to the Sixth Form at the age of 16 (Year 12). We also have up to 6 places for boys aged 14 (Year 10).
Registration for a boy at 13+ entry should be made, preferably, not later than three years before the date of intended entry. Boys will then be asked to complete the ISEB pre-test and to visit Tonbridge for an assessment afternoon, usually during the Autumn Term of Year 6. The information collected from these assessments, in conjunction with the current school Head’s report, will determine whether the offer of an unconditional or provisional place may be made. Those receiving an unconditional offer will be required to complete no further assessment. Those receiving a provisional offer will be invited to take a further assessment (in Maths and English) during the Summer Term of Year 7, after which a provisional offer may be converted to an unconditional offer.
Later registration for Year 9 entry is possible during Year 7, with such candidates following a modified entrance procedure. Details of this procedure can be found on our website or obtained from the Admissions Office: Tel: 01732 304297; E-mail: admissions@tonbridge-school.org.
Applications for 14+ (Year 10) and Sixth Form (Year 12) entry are best made by 1 September a year before entry, but may be considered later. Admission at 14+ is gained via our own Maths and English exams. Boys sitting for entry at 16+ will take papers in the four subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form, in addition to an English Language paper.
Please see the school website to view an online a copy of the prospectus. The Admissions pages of the site give full details of the registration procedure.
Scholarships and Bursaries (Foundation Awards). Tonbridge offers up to 45 scholarships annually in the areas of Academia, Sport, Music, Drama, Design Technology (DTE), and Art. Scholarship recipients are awarded a one-off payment of £2,000 in recognition of their achievement. Additionally, means-tested financial support may be available upon prior arrangement.
Junior Foundation Scholarships (Year 6) - a limited number of Junior Foundation Scholarships are available for boys who are both academically talented and intellectually curious but whose families may struggle to afford school fees. Candidates must register by the end of September in Year 6. They will sit the ISEB test and participate in an interview and assessment afternoon in November, with stronger candidates returning for further tests in Maths and English in February. These scholarships, confirmed in Year 6, may offer means-tested financial support of up to 100%, enabling boys from outside the independent sector to attend prep school for Years 7 and 8, and subsequently Tonbridge from Year 9.
Further Scholarships (Year 8) In Year 8, 21 Academic Scholarships are awarded following examinations in early May. Additionally, up to 10 Music Scholarships, 10 Art, Drama, or DTE Scholarships, and 4 Cowdrey Scholarships (for sporting excellence and sportsmanship) are available, all assessed in early February. Scholarship winners may also qualify for a means-tested Foundation Award, offering support of 10% to 100% of school fees, determined with prior arrangement and after a confidential financial review by the Finance Director.
Entry forms and full particulars of all Scholarships and Foundation Awards are available on the school website.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £17,597 for a boarding place and £13,202 for a day place.
Charitable status. Tonbridge School is a Registered Charity, number 1097977.
 
Governors & Staff:
 
Governors:
G M Rochussen (Chairman)
C Ashton
T M Attenborough
Mrs S Bishop
D P Devitt
M Dobbs
M E Fry
Professor H Gaunt
S Hall
H Hamilton-Turner
Dr T R Hands
J G Leahy
Dr N Perry
Dr V Rangarajan
J Rogers
Dr M S Spurr, DPhil
J Thorne
Mrs K Wheadon (Deputy Chair)
G White
 
Clerk to the Governors: Major General A Kennett, CBE
 
Headmaster: J E Priory, MA Oxon
 
Second Master: J R Bleakley, BA
Chief Operating Officer: W R May, BA, MCIPs
Deputy Head Academic: M J Weatheritt, MA
Deputy Head Admissions & Communications: Mrs H F McLintock, BA
Deputy Head Co-Curricular: J A Fisher, BSc
Deputy Head Pastoral: C J C Swainson, MA
Lower Master: Mrs J H McNeil, BA
Director of Learning & Academic Enrichment: Mr J Blake, BA, MSc
Tonbridge Society Director: A Ballard, BA
 
Assistant Staff:
* Head of Department/Subject
 
Art:
*F J Andrews, MA, BA
W D F Biddle, BSc
Miss E H Lycett, BA
Mrs B L Waugh, BFA
Art Librarian: Mrs M P Dennington
Art Technicians: Mr P S Elliott, Miss A Fisk
 
Classics:
*Dr J A Burbidge, BA, MSt, DPhil
Mrs C C Campbell, BA
S G Ginns, MPhil, BA
A P Schweitzer, MA
Ms L H Shackleton, MA
R J M Stephen, MA
L F Walsh, BMus
 
Computer Science:
*Dr J E Robertson, BSc, MSc, PhD
W S Chiu, BA
 
Design Technology and Engineering:
*R L Day, BSc
W D F Biddle, BSc
Dr A O Cooke, MEng, DPhil
J M Woodrow, BA
Technology Technicians: R Davies; O Longson
Teaching Assistant: C Martin
 
Digital Creativity:
*P J Huxley, BSc
C D Walker
W S Chiu, BA
 
Divinity:
*J C F Dobson, MA
B C F Bennet, BA
R Burnett, MA
The Revd D A Peters, MA
R H Sheemar, BA
Dr H J M Swales, MA, MPhil
T L Trelawny, MA, MPhil
 
Drama:
*G D Bruce, MA
*S U Hussain, MA, BA (Head of Academic Drama)
Director in Residence: Miss H Vowles, BA
 
English:
*N J Waywell, BA
J R Bleakley, BA
Dr J A Burbidge, BA, MSt, DPhil
Miss L C Clubb, BA
Mrs K A Crowley, BA
R H Evans, MA
S J Farmer, MA
S G Ginns, MPhil, BA
Dr J D Shafer, PhD, MA, BSc
 
Extended Project Qualification:
Mrs R Davis, BSc
 
Geography:
*C M Battarbee, BA
C M Henshall, BA
Mrs J H McNeil, BA
Mrs J M Watson-Reynolds, MA, BA
 
History:
*N Hillyard, BA, MSt
Mr C J Collins
Dr J M T Dixon, BA, MPhil, PhD
Mrs F C Dix Perkin, MA
C W Eades, BA
Mr R A Haines, MA, BA
Dr C D Thompson, BA, MPhil, PhD
 
Mathematics:
*O P Elton, BA
T G Fewster, BSc
K A Froggatt, MA
B D M Katz, MSc, BA
Dr J D King, MA, PhD
Mrs P M King, MA, BA
M J Lawson, BA
X Meng, MSci
V Myslov, BA
C T E Powell, BSc, MA, MRes
Dr A A Reid, MChem, PhD, AFHEA
Miss J D Robinson, BA
S J Seldon, MA, MEng
Dr J D Shafer, PhD, MA, BSc
 
Modern Languages:
*W H C Law, BA (*French)
S Kerr, BA (*German)
Miss M del Mar Ponce Galan, BA, GCTSA (*Spanish)
X J Wu, MA (*Mandarin Chinese)
Mrs M F D Brenchley, BA
R Burnett, MA
R D Hoare, MA
J C Ortega, BA
J A Storey-Mason, BA
J-P Vieu, BA, MA
C E Wright, BA
Ms X Yu, BA
 
Music:
*M A Forkgen, MA, ARCO (Director of Music)
J R P Thomas, MA, FRCO (Head of Academic Music & Choirmaster)
S J Hargreaves, MA, MEd
L F Walsh, BMus
 
Pastoral Education (PSHEE):
*Mrs C C Campbell, MA
R Burnett, MA
A G McGilchrist, MEng
P J North, MA, BA
J C Ortega, BA
F J Andrews, MA, BA
W D F Biddle, BSc
 
Science:
*N C Waite, BSc
Physics:
*C T E Powell, BSc, MA, MRes
G M Barnes, BSc
L F F Brown
Dr S Chalk, PhD, BSc
Dr A O Cooke, MEng, DPhil
R L Fleming, MA, MInstP
A G McGilchrist, MEng
N C Waite, BSc
M J Weatheritt, BSc, MA
Chemistry:
*Dr D P Robinson, MEarthSci, DPhil
K Bugler, MSc, BSc
A T J Byfield, MA, BTh, PGDip
G C Fisher, BSc, MA
J A Fisher, BSc
Miss H A Hayward, MChem
Dr C R Lawrence, MA, PhD
Dr S X Sneddon, PhD, BSc
K J Walsh, MSci
Biology:
*Dr W J Burnett, PhD, BSc
Ms A R Cooper, MBiochem
Miss C A Felstein, BSc
P M Ridd, MA
A T Sampson, BSc
C J C Swainson, MA
K J Walsh, MSci
 
Social Science:
*S M Cleary, BSc (Social Science & Economics)
Miss K E Moxon, MA (*Politics)
C M Ashurst, BA (*Business)
J Blake, BA, MSc
C J Collins
L U Masters, BA
C D Morgan, BSc
P J North, MA, BA
N R V Rendall, BA
Dr J D W Richards, MA, PhD
K M Seecharan, BSc
A J Sixsmith, BA
 
Sport, Health and Fitness:
Director of Sport: C D Morgan, BSc
Assistant Director of Sport & Hockey Coach: Mrs L Maasdorp
Rugby Academy Director: R H Crane, BSc
 
Director of IT & Digital: A W Milgate
 
Director of Marketing and Communications: To be appointed
Head of Marketing: Mrs K Dimnik
 
Head of Universities & Careers: Mrs R Davis
 
Learning Strategies and EAL:
*Mr J D C Lewis, BSc
Mrs C Clugston, MA
Mrs L A Fry, MA
Mrs N M Gerard, BA, DipSPLD
Mrs H F McLintock, BA
R J M Stephen, MA
Mrs R Thomson, BA, DipHE, TESOL
 
Houses & Housemasters:
 
Boarding:
School House: K M Seecharan
Judde House: J A Storey-Mason
Park House: A T Sampson
Hill Side: P J North
Parkside: Dr C D Thompson
Ferox Hall: C W Eades
Manor House: S J Hargreaves
 
Day:
Welldon House: R H Evans
Smythe House: G C Fisher
Whitworth House: C M Ashurst
Cowdrey House: N R V Rendell
Oakeshott House: G M Barnes
 
Librarian: Mrs H Precious, BA, MSc, MCLIP
 
Admissions Secretaries:
Mrs L Coakley (Registrar)
Miss R G Hearnden (Senior Admissions Officer)
Mrs R Griffiths (Foundations Awards Manager)
 
Examinations Officer: Miss B J Shepherd
 
Administration:
Headmaster's PA: Mrs J T Bishop
PA to the Second Master & School Administrator: Miss E J Day
PA to the Finance Director: Mrs D J Shepherd
Music Dept Administrator: Mrs J Marsh