Monkton Combe School
Monkton Combe, Somerset, England
Monkton Combe School
Monkton Combe, Somerset, England
Overview
Surrounded by rolling hills and woodland, and set in over 50 acres of grounds a short distance from the World Heritage city of Bath, Monkton sets standards for life, giving young people the qualities of character they need to become trusted employees, inspiring leaders, valued friends and loving parents. Founded in 1868 to educate the sons of clergy and missionaries working overseas, the school remains true to its foundations and is proud of its lively Christian ethos.
At a glance
Academic
27 subjects are offered at A Level and academic ambition is a key priority – on average over 60% of GCSE students achieve A*/A. Fostering an appetite for learning and developing open, questioning minds is equally important. £15m+ has been invested in a new Maths/Science Centre, Music department, boathouse, Learning Resource Centre and a high tech Art & DT Centre. Students have weekly one-to-ones with their tutors and there is dedicated teaching for those with English as a second language.
Boarding
Boarding is at the heart of Monkton. The 7 boarding houses each have their own personality generated by the pupils and live-in houseparents. Although the majority of boarders are full-time, the breadth of sporting and social activities, ranging from theatre trips to canoeing, biking in the Brecon Beacons, an annual beach trip, and eagerly supported Inter-house competitions in swimming, golf and five-a-side football, mean many day pupils spend all weekend at school.
Sports
Monkton has a strong sporting and competitive tradition, and facilities are impressive; highlights include a swimming centre and two boathouses on the River Avon. As well as mainstream sports, pupils are encouraged to participate in other sports including badminton, basketball, football, fencing, golf, judo and volleyball. School coaches, including elite athletes and ex-Olympians, encourage participation at all levels whilst touring sides have visited Gibraltar, Barbados and South Africa.
Creative arts
Nurturing creativity is fundamental to life at Monkton and the state-of-the-art Music Centre offers a music technology classroom, a recording studio, and a 100-seat rehearsal hall. Choirs and ensembles abound and over 50% of students play a musical instrument. Productions such as Pride and Prejudice and Grease exude a professionalism and confidence beyond expectations. The new Art & DT Centre offers a photography studio and darkroom, a print workshop and an ICT suite for animation and film work.
Did you know?
- The school’s Longmead Cricket ground lies near the famous Dundas aqueduct and has been voted into the top 3 most picturesque cricket grounds in the country by Wisden
- Monkton was an early adopter of an innovative pastoral programme known as AS Tracking which tracks pupils' social psychology and wellbeing.
