Eton College

High Street, Eton, Windsor, SL4 6DW

Pupils

1344

Ages

13 - 18

Gender

Boys

Type

Secondary

Head Teacher

Mr S C Henderson

Boarding / Day

Full Boarding

ISC Associations

HMC, AGBIS, ISBA

Religion

Church of England

Bursaries

Available

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About Eton College

Eton College, located in a charming Thames-side town, is renowned for its rich history and academic excellence. Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, the school has evolved significantly while maintaining its traditional values. The admissions process is rigorous, with applicants required to register by June 30 of Year 5. They sit the ISEB pretest in October or November of Year 6, followed by a head teacher’s reference. Around 65% of applicants are invited back for Stage 2, which includes an interview and an online predictive test. Near-miss candidates are reassessed at the end of Year 7, with some awarded places and others placed on a waitlist.

For entry into the sixth form, students need six grade 7s at GCSE, a relatively modest requirement given the school’s high academic standards. The majority of students achieve 10 or 11 GCSEs with grades 8-9. The sixth form intake is small, with opportunities for boys from UK state schools via the Orwell Award or fee-paying Sixth Form Entry.

Despite the squeeze on Oxbridge places, Eton continues to send a significant number of students to top universities. In 2023, Oxford, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, and Cambridge were the top destinations, with 29 students going to Oxford and 15 to Cambridge. Additionally, around 20% of students apply overseas, with 15% receiving offers from prestigious universities in the US and Canada. The school has dedicated staff to assist with US applications and SAT/ACT preparation, and parents praise the university advice department.

Eton’s latest results are impressive, with 80% of students achieving grades 9-7 at GCSE and 80% A*/A at A level. The school excels in various subjects, particularly Maths and Classics. The science block, updated and reopened by the Queen in 2019, boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a lecture space that hosts 250 visiting speakers annually. Popular A level subjects include Maths, Economics, History, Further Maths, and Physics, with Politics also being a favourite.

The school’s teaching and learning approach is both modern and traditional. While iPads are widely used, some tasks and exams are still done by hand. The teaching staff, described as charismatic and intelligent, maintain high standards and often teach beyond the curriculum. The school’s ethos encourages students to take responsibility for their learning, with a focus on balancing academics with other interests.

Eton offers a wealth of extra-curricular activities, particularly in the arts. The music department organises over 1,300 music lessons per week across 35 instruments. The drama department, based around the 400-seat Farrer Theatre, produces high-quality performances, and every boy has the opportunity to participate in a house play. The Drawing Schools building offers a range of artistic disciplines, and the school hosts sponsored artists in residence each year.

Community service is a significant aspect of life at Eton, with students dedicating thousands of hours to volunteering and fundraising for various charities. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is optional but popular, and the school offers over 70 societies covering a wide range of interests.

Sport is another area where Eton excels, offering a vast array of options beyond the main games of football and rugby. The new Sports and Aquatics Centre, opened in 2022, features a 25m swimming pool with a moveable floor, among other facilities. Unique sporting traditions, such as the Eton wall game, add to the school’s distinctive character.

Boarding at Eton is full-time, with each boy having his own private room from day one. The 25 boarding houses vary significantly, and families usually visit three houses before making a choice. The house system is a core part of the school’s structure, providing a sense of community and support.

Eton’s pastoral care is robust, with housemasters and dames playing a crucial role. The school’s Stephenson Centre supports boys’ mental health, offering wellbeing skills and psychological counselling. Discipline is stricter than in the past, with a focus on maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

The school’s ethos and heritage are deeply rooted in its history, with traditions such as the world-famous uniform of tails and white collars. Despite its reputation, the school is described as diverse and inclusive, with a broad international intake and a mix of students from various backgrounds.

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ISI Review

Eton College, a prestigious boarding school for boys located in Windsor, Berkshire, was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The school originally aimed to provide free education to 70 poor scholars and has since evolved into a leading educational institution with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and personal development. The college operates 25 boarding houses, each overseen by a housemaster and a dame, fostering a close-knit community among its 1,341 pupils, aged 12 to 19.

The school has undergone significant developments since its last regulatory compliance inspection in March 2019, including the construction of a dedicated computer science suite and a leadership building, as well as renovations to the science facilities. The leadership team has expanded to include a director of safeguarding, reflecting the school’s commitment to pupil welfare.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eton College adapted to the challenges posed by school closures by providing remote learning and maintaining support for key workers' children. The inspection process for this report was adjusted to accommodate health guidelines, with evidence gathered both remotely and on-site.

Eton College aims to cultivate independent thought and learning, encouraging pupils to discover their strengths and develop respect for individuality and teamwork. The school promotes a broad education that nurtures physical and mental health, emotional maturity, and spiritual richness, fostering self-confidence, enthusiasm, perseverance, tolerance, and integrity.

The pupil demographic is academically selective, with a profile indicating above-average ability upon entry. The school serves a diverse range of social backgrounds, with a small minority of international students. Eton College provides support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring that all students can access the curriculum effectively.

The inspection focused on several key areas, including the quality of education, spiritual and moral development, welfare and safety, staff suitability, premises, information provision, complaints handling, and leadership quality. The findings indicate that Eton College meets the standards set by the Independent School Standards Regulations and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools.

The quality of education at Eton is characterized by effective teaching that enables pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and comprehensive, covering a broad range of subjects. Pupils receive relationships and sex education in accordance with statutory guidance, and the school has consulted with parents to ensure transparency in its policies.

Eton College actively promotes the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of its pupils, encouraging responsible citizenship and respect for diversity. The school has implemented a robust system for safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare, with effective measures in place to prevent bullying and ensure health and safety standards are met.

The suitability of staff is rigorously assessed, with appropriate checks conducted to ensure that all personnel are fit to work with children. The school maintains a register of staff and ensures that visitors to boarding accommodations are supervised.

Eton College's premises are well-maintained, providing suitable facilities for pupils' needs, including adequate toilet and changing facilities, medical care, and outdoor spaces for physical activities. The school publishes a range of information for parents and stakeholders, including details about its ethos, curriculum, and policies on admissions, behavior, and health and safety.

Complaints from parents are handled effectively through a structured process, ensuring that concerns are addressed in a timely manner. The leadership and management of the school demonstrate strong skills and knowledge, ensuring that standards are consistently met and that the well-being of pupils is prioritized.

The educational quality inspection highlighted the excellent academic achievements of pupils, who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Eton College's results in GCSE, A-level, and Pre-U examinations are exceptional, reflecting the high-quality teaching and support provided. Pupils are well-prepared for the next stages of their education, with many receiving offers from prestigious universities.

Overall, Eton College exemplifies a commitment to academic excellence and personal development, fostering a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils. The school’s proactive approach to addressing contemporary issues, such as inclusivity and safeguarding, further enhances its reputation as a leading educational institution.

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