Headmaster

Since February 2025, James Neville, previously head of Loughborough Amherst School (now closed but which was also part of the Loughborough Schools Foundation). Following a degree in modern history from Magdalen College, Oxford and an MPhil from King’s College, Cambridge, he returned to his alma mater, St John’s College, Cardiff to pursue a career in teaching. Rose to head of humanities and assistant head academic, moving to Ratcliffe College as assistant head in 2017, and in 2020 became vice principal at English Martyrs’ Catholic School, Leicester. Took over as head of Amherst in 2023, where he oversaw a great improvement in the school’s academic performance. Alongside his academic studies, he was a choral scholar in the world-renowned choir of King’s College, Cambridge’s, and has performed for the Dalai Lama, Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.

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Entrance

Small year 6 entry, ‘something of a unique offering’, mainly for state school pupils (six in 2023, a more ‘usual’ 14 in 2022). ‘Bridges gap and creates familiarity’ before main year 7 entry when they are joined by those coming up from Fairfield Prep (who make up a quarter of the current 92 places, capacity 100) and the rest from local state primaries. Around 25 join at sixth form, with 30 points required across best five GCSEs, minimum grade 5 in English language and maths (most far exceed).

Standards high – regardless of entry point, with all sitting age-appropriate English and maths assessment, plus report and reference from prior school and interview with headmaster or deputy head academic. Overseas applicants also undergo English assessment with EAL coordinator, and sixth formers require minimum B2 on Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

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Exit

Between 25-30 per cent leave at the end of year 11, mostly to mixed colleges in the town. Virtually all go to university. Durham, King’s College London, Lancaster, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield currently popular. Six to Oxbridge, and 11 medics, in 2023. Odd ones overseas – four in 2023 to Nicosia Medical School, University of Queensland, Hong Kong University and University of Thammaset in Thailand. Many engineers – ‘It’s in the genes,’ says school.

In 2023, 59 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 47 per cent A*/A at A level (74 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 60 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 48 per cent A*/A at A level (74 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

‘Teachers go the extra mile’, parents tell us, with school putting ‘excellent teaching above strong facilities in terms of school selling points’. Pupils say they are ‘passionate about their subjects’ and ‘incredibly intelligent and academic’. We clocked that both are relaxed and affable in each other’s company – boys happy to chip in with the odd cheeky comment during lessons or ‘haloo’ teachers as they pass. ‘Hi Sir,’ called one as we toured school, ‘how did rugby go?’ Feigning no formality on our behalf, ‘sir’ responded enthusiastically, ‘We nailed it!’ In smart, well provisioned science lab, a biology master flicked through an immaculate GCSE book filled with exemplary work. ‘Lucky he didn’t look at your book!’ one confident scientist hollered to another. ‘Aah, would you like to show us your exercise book?’ the teacher quipped – to an explosion of laughter.

This is a big school, but with small classes (maximum 18 pupils across five classes in year 7, rising to 10 classes in sixth form with average 10 per class). Specialist teaching from year 7, setting in maths only. Lunch time clinics ensure no-one falls behind. STEM ‘really strong with excellent results’, according to parents. Separate blocks for individual sciences and maths, each with at least six well provisioned labs. Co-curricular projects enhance classroom learning with bronze, silver and gold Crest awards.

No combined science available at GCSE, and all pupils take minimum of one language out of Spanish, German and French – Latin option throughout. Further opportunities shoehorned into lunchtime clubs or enrichment, eg ancient Greek, ancient Hebrew.

Majority study three A levels from 29 options. Chemistry, biology, physics, maths are most popular and garner top results. Some co-ed across Foundation eg food and nutrition, drama, art, psychology, music, music tech. About half study EPQ.

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Learning support and SEN

Located in the heart of the school campus, the learning support department is run by two full and two part time staff, (plus Waffle the department dog, available for cuddles and dog walking). Four dedicated classrooms assist the 13 per cent of students on the SEN register, (further two per cent also benefit from support). Everything from spellings to timetabled sessions, group or individual – all at no additional cost. Initial concern at son dropping subject for sessions was allayed for a parent: ‘It has made all the difference.’ Head of department holds SENDco qualification, and there is one maths specialist. Currently no EHCPs (but they are experienced enough to do so). Entry screenings for all pupils, plus monitoring and liaison with staff, matron, counsellors and housemasters. Referral system for concerned staff. Team regularly work alongside occupational therapists, autism outreach, educational psychologists etc. Outreach with local primaries eases transitions. Trips with parents to build support network eg Autistm Show at NEC. During exams, chemistry block taken over by department for dedicated exam space, rest breaks, ‘speech to text’ exams, extra time, lap top usage etc. Department hosts afternoon teas for pupils and parents to share experiences. Every three years, school has an accessibility audit via external company to advise on adjustments.

Most parents praise the department, appreciating regular contact, although a couple confessed it could be a little ‘hit and miss’, with parental ‘prompting’ occasionally needed. One parent delighted at son’s growing confidence: ‘He enjoys working at the hub and having supervision to assist revision.’ An unabashed sixth former credits department as ‘changing my life’, taking him from potential ‘Ds’ grade to a number of ‘As’ at GSCE.

Students up to A level can drop a subject for EAL sessions run by dedicated full time member of staff – in groups or individually according to need, at no extra charge. Prep for Cambridge English exams and ELTS exams.

School not wholly wheelchair accessible, but room reassignment ‘easy to implement’ – and they have previously supported a visually impaired student.

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The arts and extracurricular

‘If music is your milieu it is all here for the taking,’ said a parent. Several pupils said they applied because of ‘All Steinway’ department’s reputation. Majestic block, shared by Foundation, has real ‘buzz’, with rehearsal rooms and studios awash with lunchtime practices on our visit. Over 50 ensembles, choral or extracurricular groups, enhanced programmes, lectures, workshops. Peripatetic teachers report to parents after lessons via portal. Parental awe at standard of performances and level of attainment. ‘Children are really engaged and love the teachers’, said one, telling how her ‘non musical child’ had been inspired to take up an instrument by the ‘welcoming approach’. ‘They can really excel or use department to help unwind or have fun.’ Highlight is summer Al Fresco concert. Music and music tech A levels on offer, with the usual small numbers you’d get at most schools.

Students take reins in co-ed drama department, guided by two full-time staff. We stumbled upon a GCSE group choreographing passages from Orwell’s 1984 in the atmospheric studio (retractable seating for 186), while pupils flashed multicoloured lighting from the gallery and uploaded sound effects recorded in grounds. No whole school performances, but annual Christmas panto involves all year 7s – Jack and the Beanstalk at our visit, which they described as ‘fun’ – plus upper and lower school productions (recently Les Mis, ‘unbelievably good’). New Directors lunchtime club popular, as is house drama and theatre trips. Decent numbers at GCSE and usually double figures at A level. Approx 10 per cent take LAMDA in lower school.

A gallery bursting with pupil talent dominates the entrance to the art block, where there are four large, airy studios packed with more outstanding work. Similar take-up as drama at GCSE and A level. ‘Inspirational teaching and studios’ not just for uber talented, a parent said, ‘my son had never done any art, but now brings home tie dye, portraits, models and is getting involved in history of art.’ Dedicated head of DT supports self-driven initiatives, using the school’s impressive facilities and workshops (timber, metal, plastics, laser cutters, computer suites). We viewed the meticulously engineered drawings of an A level pupil – recently entered into Greenpower National Challenge. Our tour guides were bursting to recant how they delighted a visiting classics speaker by suggesting he convert his 3D image of an ancient Greek epitaph into an artefact using school’s 3D printer.

Thursday afternoon curriculum is collapsed for years 10 to 13, with options including Prue Leith cookery course, TEFL, sign language, DofE (bronze mandatory in lower years, over 70 take silver and 30 gold). Sixth form professional development programme gives boys ‘skills to stand out at interview and in workplace’ (professional qualifications, work experience, academic enrichment, volunteering, lectures, leadership workshops). Over 300 pupils across Foundation make up one of the largest CCF contingents outside London. Our tour guide lit up (and we could barely believe it) when he told us of his loop the loop in an RAF fighter plane.

Over 100 clubs. We loved the sound of the drone and Rubick’s cube ones, both set up by boys. We were presented with a jar of honey at bee club, and were met by African snails, scorpions, snakes at beast club – mercifully kept behind glass on our visit (one boy divulged that pupils take reptiles home for the holidays – he takes the snake; we hope he warns his parents first). Shooting club recently achieved gold at national finals. Lots of trips across all disciplines, local and far flung. Healthy competition across four houses, large noticeboard daubed with pen denoting latest successes.

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Sport

Female head of sport runs department spanning Foundation, alongside professional sports men and women. Keen to promote breadth of options (eg basketball, football, badminton) in addition to strong representation in rugby, hockey, cricket and athletics. Excellent coaching, with fixtures on Saturdays including against Bablake, Oakham, Solihull, Nottingham High and Bishop Vesey. Some playing fields onsite (hockey astros, cricket) with main 70-acre Quorn site five mins away by coach. School ‘play to win and for fun’, a year 7 told us. Swimming pool and impressive fitness suite busy dawn ‘til dusk with training for professional pathways, lessons, clubs. Modern pentathlon success for award winning team (founded by pupils after inspiring visitor). Sport encouraged ‘at all levels’. They go ‘above and beyond’ in supporting pupils in academies or representation, with one parent happy that her son raves about ‘interform fun football every Tuesday and kick arounds with friends at lunchtimes’.

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Boarders

Long tradition of international boarding (most year 9 upwards), currently with 45-ish pupils across two houses (Denton and School), with capacity for 74, predominantly international – mainly Hong Kong and China but also Bulgaria, Zimbabwe, Middle East. Cultural programme includes key tourist attractions at weekends and visiting other ‘likeminded’ boarders eg Warwick School, for competition eg basketball and chess. Flexi boarding on offer – no uptake as yet. Each house has homely common room (PS5, TV, pool, table tennis) and kitchens for preparing snacks and hot drinks, plus spacious gardens for relaxing. Slightly soulless but roomy four-person dorms (twin for sixth form). Boarders enjoy accessing gym and facilities during evenings and weekends or visit town (with age appropriate restrictions – pubs vetoed but no-one seems to mind). ‘There’s really good integration’ with boarders, a parent said, ‘my son frequently pops into a boarding house to visit’.