Overview
Shiplake College is a thriving boarding and day school for boys aged 11-18, with girls joining in the Sixth Form. In September 2016 it welcomed a record 455 pupils to the school, a rise from 400 in September 2014. Overlooking the River Thames, two miles upstream of the famous Henley Royal Regatta stretch, students enjoy an inspirational 45-acre rural site. Weekly and flexi-boarding is available from Year 7, with full boarding offered from Year 9. We are a small community where the ethos of ‘Inclusive, Individual, Inspirational’ is embraced.
Academic
Shiplake provides a friendly, supportive and structured environment to bring out the best in each and every pupil. Renowned for outstanding pastoral care and personal development, the College welcomes pupils with wide-ranging skills and talents, who will make the most of the many opportunities we offer them. We provide an education that is tailored to the individual and we do this through engaging and inspirational teaching, delivered in small classes where our teachers can know and understand each pupil’s method of learning. With a greater focus on academic rigour in recent years, it is no surprise that the College continues to achieve a year-on-year improvement in examination results. In August, Shiplake leavers achieved a record number of A*s and As at A Level, helping to secure places at a variety of leading institutions, including Oxbridge, Russell Group and Ivy League universities.
Academic lessons take place within the five day working week and each day ends with an hour of academic support during which pupils undertake independent study or seek help with homework from teachers.
Sport and Co-Curricular
In addition to a strong academic foundation, the College offers excellent sporting, artistic and co-curricular opportunities. Two afternoons are reserved for an array of clubs and activities, including a comprehensive outdoor education programme, with pupils encouraged to extend their horizons and experience new challenges and responsibilities. A newly opened Art, Music and contemporary Thinking Space, complete with lecture theatre and recording studio, offers pupils state-of-the-art facilities.
Sports training takes place on three afternoons a week, with the majority of fixtures scheduled for Saturday mornings. Full boarders take part in a vibrant weekend programme of trips and activities on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, with day pupils and weekly boarders able to enjoy additional family and down time at home.
Unique Selling Points
Shiplake is well known for being a welcoming and inclusive school, providing an encouraging and nurturing environment to produce rounded and down-to-earth pupils. We are also proud of our excellent reputation for ‘value-added’ at an academic and personal level, and many people also associate us as with excelling in a variety of sports, particularly in rowing and rugby.
Excellent ISI Inspection
A full ISI inspection in 2015 judged Shiplake as ‘excellent’ – the highest accolade – across all nine inspection categories. Commendation of this magnitude is rare in education, placing Shiplake amongst the leading schools in the country.
Admissions
Entry points are normally at Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Year 12 (16+). Prospective families are encouraged to arrange an individual visit or attend an open morning, which take place in October and March each year. Please go to www.shiplake.org.uk to book your attendance, download a registration form or request our prospectus, as well as explore the whole site, which contains a wealth of information relating to all aspects of life at Shiplake. This is the first port of call for details of admissions processes, fees, bus routes and answers to most academic, co-curricular and pastoral questions that prospective parents may have. News articles are posted every day during term time, showcasing a wide variety of activities and celebrating the many successes of our pupils.
Academic, Art, Music, Drama and Sport Scholarships, and means-tested bursaries, are available at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Please contact the Registrar for further details.