Repton School Welcomes Students for 2022 Autumn Term
As usual, this autumn, Repton School, one of the UK’s leading independent boarding schools, has welcomed new and returning students for the academic year. Each September, Repton School in Derbyshire greets several hundred pupils entering Year 9, Year 10, and Year 12 (for the start of Sixth Form) and aims to inspire, challenge, and nurture each young person to achieve their best during their educational journey.
Repton Headmaster Mark Semmence’s recent reflections on the previous academic year touched on the hard work and enthusiasm of the School’s students and tireless dedication of staff which, refreshed by the summer holidays, are set to feature prominently this autumn term.
Sixth Form Starters
Summer 2022 saw a brilliant set of exam results for Repton’s GCSE pupils, with 60% of entries awarded grades 9 to 7, the equivalent of A* to A. Many Year 11s have now returned to the School as Sixth Formers, beginning their two-year A Level journey.
As well as embarking on their chosen subjects, of which they have a great range to choose from – alongside traditional options like Art, Biology, and English Literature sit more diverse offerings like Photography, Classical Civilisation, and Textiles – all Lower Sixth pupils take the Future Learning, Future Skills (FLFS) course. Repton-designed, this course seeks to expand students’ awareness of the world beyond the classroom. The course comprises topics such as Speaking in Public, Economics and Personal Finances, and aspects of Politics, Geopolitics, and Science.
Repton School Leavers
Meanwhile, Repton’s A Level students also achieved a remarkable exam result outcome this past summer, with more than 50% of entries awarded an A* or A grade. These students won’t be returning to Repton this autumn: Instead, they will head to destinations across the world for the next step of their educational journeys.
Repton’s Sixth Formers receive a comprehensive introduction to the wide range of today’s higher education options, which include traditional academic degrees, emergent degree-apprenticeships, and more widely accessible courses at international universities.
After two years of individualised guidance and careful study in Sixth Form, Repton alumni set off for a range of impressive universities. This autumn, former Year 13s will take up residence at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Imperial College London, King’s College London, and Edinburgh, as well as New York University, Cornell, Harvard, and many more prestigious seats of learning.
A Bright and Hopeful Future
Repton’s outstanding exam results say a lot about the pupils’ resilience and commitment to their education, considering the last couple of years have seen considerable disruption to learning due to the global pandemic. In his reflections on the 2021/22 academic year, the headmaster noted with gratification that, after emerging from the quiet concentration of the summer exam period, students were able to enjoy “the freedoms their steadfast commitment has brought them.”
After a year of alternative plans, restrictions, and closures, where Repton’s busy calendar saw Covid-19-related setbacks, the School is looking forward to a new academic year free from disruption.
Semmence acknowledged that while it may be tempting to linger on the impact of Covid-19 on the School and society as a whole, or to dwell on other looming political, climatic, and economic events, he is embracing a positive outlook for the new academic year. He stated that the solutions to any future challenges “lie in the minds of those we teach,” and cited the power of a creative and rigorous Repton education to inspire positive change due to its focus on a love of learning and moral responsibility to the wider world.
Semmence added that the energy and passion of young Reptonians is “the most compelling antidote to weary cynicism.” With ambition, optimism, and groundedness, Repton continues to move forward, proud of its students’ progress and excited for the bright future ahead.
About Repton School
Established in 1557, Repton School is a world-class, co-educational, independent day and boarding school set in the heart of England. Repton provides an exceptional, broad education to students aged 13 to 18, blending rich heritage and traditional values with the pursuit of excellence in a 21st-century context. Students benefit from the best possible facilities, teaching, and pastoral care and never have to prioritise academic achievement over their other interests, whether those lie on the sports field, stage, or elsewhere.
Each year, Repton’s 400 Hall plays host to regular performances, including three large-scale productions, and the School’s concert hall is the setting for many music showcases. The School also excels at sports, having amassed a considerable collection of silverware across athletics, basketball, cross country, fives, golf, riding rugby, and sailing, and offers the Repton High Performance Programme for the School’s top performing athletes.
Repton’s pastoral care is proactive and all-encompassing and, underpinned by the School’s House system and strong sense of community, ensures pupils feel valued, safe, and heard. An accredited AS Tracking school, Repton actively tracks students’ mental health to help identify hidden risks early on. Thanks to the highly trained, on-site Health and Wellbeing staff and School Doctor, pupils have access to comprehensive medical and counselling support.
With approximately a thousand pupils across its Prep and Senior School, Repton is small enough to recognise and champion each child’s individual talents and ambitions, yet large enough to compete internationally across academia, music, creative arts, and sport. While students pursue and routinely attain academic excellence, this doesn’t come at the expense of a well-rounded education where life skills and personal growth keep equal company with top exam results.
The 2020 Independent Schools Inspection recognised the School’s considerable strengths, declaring Repton “Excellent” in each of the areas examined.
