Sidcot school is a co-educational day and boarding school of 400 pupils, roughly 50:50 day/boarder and male/female.
The school's roots go back to 1699, but became a 'public' school in 1808. It is owned and administered by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The school aims to provide a broad education in personal and creative areas as well as the academic. Twenty 'A' level courses are offered and the school has a VIth Form of 100. Most of our school leavers go to degree level work at colleges and universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
The school is set in 170 acres of the Mendip countryside near Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare. There are especially good facilities for sport, outdoor pursuits, craft, computing, music and drama. The school enrolls above-average and average ability children by Common Entrance or by Sidcot Entrance Test. Entrance can be at any age from nine up to sixteen years.
The Trevleyan Library was built in 1990, and new classrooms have been added. The school has a new Sports Complex, including indoor swimming pool, sports hall, squash court, multi-gym. A horse-riding and stabling facility has been opened (1991), and a new refectory in 1995.
The dormitory facilities are being up-graded and re-furnished. A wide range of activities are offered during evenings and weekends. Boarders may bring small pets or horses. The new Science block opened in 1994. A level passes were 94% in 1996, and the GCSE 'ABC' pass rate was just under 80%. New Art, Social and Dining areas have been built. The school now has its own pre-prep dept (day only) called the Hall School, catering for 60 boys and girls aged between 3 and 9 and a prep and pre-prep school at Burham-on-Sea called St Christophers.
It is, however, the supportive atmosphere which leads most parents and prospective pupils to choose Sidcot. The School tries to give all individuals high self-esteem through relationships which accord everyone dignity and respect.
