Repton School
Repton School
Repton School
Repton School
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Repton School Repton, Derbyshire Visit
school

Repton School
Repton
618 pupils, ages 13-18
Mixed
Day and Boarding

Repton School

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Our view

This super-friendly school in beautiful Derbyshire has a stellar reputation in pretty much everything – academics (leavers head off to Oxbridge and Ivy League universities), sport (the alumni list is a roll call of professionals) and music (not many school choirs sing in the Vatican) – but as its motto ‘Rounded, Grounded, Unbounded’ suggests, the beating heart is its strong pastoral care which ensures every pupil is nurtured to achieve their best.

Where?

Located in the heart of rural Derbyshire, lovely Repton is bursting with history and character.

The ancient centre of the school is pretty awe-inspiring, but elsewhere there’s no sense of being stuck in the past. Every single classroom or facility has been meticulously built or refurbished, with a spread of stonking new buildings to support the old ones. The Science Priory gets top billing – more university than school building, it’s got a 3D cinema, smart seminar rooms, a rooftop observatory and even a reptile lab. The grand Grade II-listed chapel is the heart of the place, and the whole school – regardless of faith – gathers twice a week for a service. And, of course, there are tennis courts, two sports halls and acres of playing fields.

Repton sits conveniently close to East Midlands Airport and a school-bus service covers Derby, Ashbourne, Uttoxeter and more.

Head

The warm and friendly head Mark Semmence arrived at Repton in 2019 from Mount Kelly School in Dartmoor, where he oversaw the merge of three schools into one single foundation – experience that has stood him in good stead for Repton’s strategic integration with its family of prep schools and overseas franchises. Commercially aware and hot on numbers (he spent a decade working in international sports marketing before moving into teaching), he runs the school with a business brain but a passionate heart (one of his daily rituals is to personally hand out birthday cards to pupils and staff). His enthusiasm is infectious and together with his young and switched-on senior leadership team, it feels like there’s nothing they can’t achieve, not least their current aim of revolutionising the way pupils think about learning through the use of creative technology.

Admissions

The 630-strong school is now officially oversubscribed and is as full as it can get without needing to expand. Mr Semmence is keen to keep numbers where they are so the school can ensure each pupil receives a personal, tailored education. ‘I know every child’s name and I want that to continue,’ he tells us.

Entrance at 13+ is via a CAT4 test and online interview with the deputy head admissions, or via the school's 13+ academic scholarship papers. Almost half of the year group join from Repton Prep (who no longer do CE), just seven minutes down the road. Repton is keen to ensure that admission continues to be more holistic than purely academic, and the individual abilities of each child are taken into account. Pupil ratio is very close to 50:50 boys and girls, and around 14 per cent of students are from overseas. For those considering a later move, there is still the option to join Repton in the lower sixth based on GCSE results.

Academics and destinations

Repton isn’t as selective at entry as some of its rivals, but it really shines when it comes to value-added, with GCSE results soaring. The school’s relatively small size works to pupils’ advantage: everyone is helped to discover their strengths and with all the teaching staff living in and around the village, there are lots of opportunities for pupils to get extra help.

Pupils study for A-levels and there’s a BTEC in sport (equivalent to two A-levels) on the timetable too. Many options are thrown into the mix, including business studies, PE, textiles and psychology – and lots of sixth-formers do EPQs to broaden their minds and boost their academic credentials.

Lower-sixth pupils take the Future Leaders programme, which delves into public speaking, digital skills, economics and personal finance to prepare them for the wider world – all good stuff both for the students themselves and for UCAS forms. There’s a healthy handful of Oxbridge offers (five this year) and successful applications to US universities – this year’s head girl is off to Harvard – and overall the majority skate off to their first or second choice institution.

Co-curricular

Many pupils are drawn to Repton for its sport – this is one of the best schools in the UK for an aspiring Olympian (this year, 12 pupils were selected for Olympic team trials, and current pupil Eva is representing Team GB in the pool as part of the swimming team), and the on-site gallery of signed shirts is testament to the career-enhancing facilities here. Hockey is standout: Repton claims to have bagged more hockey trophies than any other school; girls have won the national U18 hockey finals a record 10 times in the past 12 years, and the facilities are so good that the GB men’s squad pops in to train. Football is mega too, with boys often going on to play professionally at club level; tennis and cricket are top-notch (Repton has produced three England cricket captains); and there’s a seriously strong and nationally recognised swimming programme.

Links with county and national teams are solid (at least 60 pupils play for clubs outside of school), and pupils are brilliantly supported along the path to turning professional with a full coaching programme with specialist coaches and facilities that are nothing short of epic. There’s also an on-site physio, a full strength and conditioning programme and a sports nutrition facility. It’s worth noting, though, that they don’t play rugby. That said, we met a chap on our recent visit who played three times a week with a local club – all facilitated by the school. Proof positive that if pupils have the ambition, Repton will support it.

But Repton isn’t just for sporties - off the pitches, there’s stacks to celebrate. A successful artist-in-residence scheme supports and mentors budding artists and music is also flourishing. There are opportunities across all levels, from house singing to an impressive programme of visiting musicians that brings in big names for concerts and masterclasses (Julian Lloyd Webber judged a recent music competition) and the opportunity to perform in extraordinary places – including the Vatican. Major drama productions are staged each term in the magnificent theatre, and pupils are encouraged to embrace the full experience of stage production, sound and lighting as well as the acting; the last production included 80 pupils on stage or behind the scenes.

Lessons stop early on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to make way for clubs, activities and sports practice, which might include CCF (compulsory for first years), DofE or community service spent tidying gardens, bolstering school-recycling efforts or caring for the elderly. Societies range from medicine to maths, while extra clubs such as life drawing, technical theatre arts and debating keep pupils busy. 

Boarding

Repton is full boarding all the way (there’s no weekly or flexi), and with more than 70 per cent of pupils opting in, there’s a proper boarding-school feel here, with a packed programme of lessons, matches and extras on Saturdays. As well as scheduled exeats, all pupils have the opportunity to take PWs (privilege weekends), although many seem to prefer to stay for the sport and the seemingly action-packed programme.

Pupils join one of 10 inter-year houses (six for boys, four for girls) spread across the campus and village; some are full of Victorian architectural quirks, others more modern and functional, and each has a house parent and tutor (plus pets!) who live there full-time. The arrival of a new chef last year has put a smile on the face of some of the boys we chatted to, and the in-house dining gives tutors, housemasters and matrons ample opportunity to check in with their charges.

Day pupils are all assigned to a house too and remain fully immersed in the Repton experience, although there is now more flexibility for them with the option to head home at 6pm – but there's so much going on that many choose to stay much later.

School community

Mental health initiatives have always been high on the agenda at Repton, and each house has its own dedicated wellbeing space. A therapy dog recently became a hugely popular addition to the staff room too. Gender inclusivity is a top priority here, and gender neutral loos are available for pupils.

There’s a broadly local feel to Repton, with the lion’s share of families coming from the Midlands, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire, and the school has a good relationship with local residents. Depending on the year group, pupils are allowed into the village at times – the Chinese restaurant being particularly popular among the boys we chatted to. The London market still hasn’t quite made its mark up here, but it’s growing – and there’s a real feeling of warmth, friendliness and confidence from the pupils we met.

And finally...

This wonderful school with its high-energy, dedicated staff and secure moral values enables pupils to achieve above and beyond. A real big hitter, it’s hard to think of a child it wouldn’t benefit, but if you’ve got a sporting superstar, Repton will definitely be their paradise.

Gallery

Repton School pupils walking outside with their files
Boys in maroon tops and yellow socks celebrating on the hockey pitch
Repton School with cricket match being played in the foreground
Pupils in white shirts in the dining room
Boys in maroon tops and blue shorts on the football pitch
Teacher taking a lesson in the wooden panelled library
  • Academic results

    GCSE results
    A level results
    Download results as PDF
  • Subjects offered

    GCSE

    Ancient Greek
    Art & Design
    Biology
    Business Studies
    Chemistry
    Computer Science
    Design and Technology
    Drama and Theatre Studies
    Economics
    English Language
    English Literature
    French
    Further Mathematics
    Geography
    German
    Government and Politics
    History
    Information Technology
    Latin
    Mandarin
    Mathematics
    Music
    Photography
    Physical Education
    Physics
    Psychology
    Religious Studies
    Russian
    Spanish

    A Level

    Ancient Greek
    Art & Design
    Biology
    Business Studies
    Chemistry
    Design and Technology
    Drama and Theatre Studies
    Economics
    English Language
    English Literature
    French
    Further Mathematics
    Geography
    German
    Government and Politics
    History
    Latin
    Mathematics
    Music
    Philosophy
    Photography
    Physical Education
    Physics
    Politics
    Psychology
    Religious Studies
    Spanish
    Textiles
  • Fees and bursaries

    Day fees per term

    Year 7-
    Year 8 -
    Year 9 £10,800
    Year 10£10,800
    Year 11£10,800
    Year 12£10,800
    Year 13£10,800
    Boarding fees per term

    Year 7-
    Year 8 -
    Year 9 £14,560
    Year 10 £14,560
    Year 11£14,560
    Year 12£14,560
    Year 13£14,560




    Bursaries
    Prospective parents are encouraged to contact the school’s director of admissions and request a bursary application form at the time of registering. Each case is taken from there, and every application is assessed on an individual basis, dependent on a number of different circumstances.

    Bursary contact:
    Head of Admissions Mrs Jane Bird
    admissions@repton.org.uk
  • SEND



    Co-ordinator: Mrs Pippa Parker pparker@repton.org.uk
  • Transport links

    School Transport
    Escorted train service to/from London

    Public Transport
    Nearest mainline train station: Derby
    Journey time to London by train: 150 minutes
    Nearest international airport: East Midlands (12 miles)


  • Parents tell us

    ‘Our child was in the driving seat when it came to choosing the school. She wasn't happy where she was – it was a small boarding community and one her friends had moved to Repton and was thriving, so she wanted to have a look around and see what it was all about.

    We had a virtual tour with James Wilton and the boarding system – in-house dining, the vibrant boarding community and the extracurricular activities – was a real influencing factor. Our daughter is also very sporty, so we were extremely impressed by the outstanding facilities and the systems that were in place.

    We just focused on Repton as we knew it by reputation and were then convinced after we did the virtual tour that it was the right place for our daughter. We weren't planning to move her immediately, but as soon as she saw what was on offer, we decided to move her midway through the term. We didn't think we should waste any time before she started her Repton journey and we are so pleased we moved her when we did.

    Our experience of the admissions process was very good. Communication was excellent. Everyone explained all the stages of the process and we felt very comfortable.

    As well as the virtual tour, we stipulated that we wanted to have a physical tour of the school and I'm very pleased we did. Because we were familiar with the boarding-school system (I had been to boarding school and my daughter was boarding), we knew what to look out for and got a really good sense that it was the right environment for her.

    We had a Zoom meeting with Mr Semmence, the headmaster, which was very good. He spoke directly to the children, which we all really appreciated, asking them about their interests. I felt very comfortable with him.

    The communication since joining the school has been consistently good. 

    Her housemistress has been phenomenal. Mrs Campbell did everything possible to support her, including taking her out for a ride on her own horse. She now describes her as her second mum!

    Pastoral care has been outstanding. Her housemistress has given her comprehensive support and really looked out for her.

    Thank goodness that we moved her so quickly when we did – we haven't looked back. I would feel very confident recommending Repton.’



School Updates

  • Repton School celebrates outstanding A-level results

    Repton School pupils are celebrating their A Level and BTEC results with nearly 42% of entries being awarded an A* or A grade, and 73% A* to B.
    Repton School celebrates outstanding A-level results
  • Harold Abrahams and Repton School’s Olympic Legacy: Celebrating a Century of Excellence.

    There are few moments in Olympic history as iconic as Harold Abrahams' triumphant sprint to victory in the 100-metre final at the 1924 Paris Games which inspired the Oscar winning ‘Chariots of Fire’. As the 100-year anniversary of Abrahams' Olympic gold is celebrated, we explore the other Reptonian athletes whose Olympic legacies continue to inspire generations at Repton and beyond.
    Harold Abrahams and Repton School’s Olympic Legacy: Celebrating a Century of Excellence.
  • Repton School pupils help feed the community with Thomas Franks

    Pupils from Repton School and Repton Prep teamed up with the Thomas Franks Foundation to cook, package and deliver 600 meals to South Derbyshire CVS and Derbyshire YMCA in support of vulnerable people in the local area.
    Repton School pupils help feed the community with Thomas Franks
  • Repton Swimmer selected for Paris 2024 Olympics

    Repton School swimmer Eva Okaro has made history this week as she is selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for Team GB.
    Repton Swimmer selected for Paris 2024 Olympics
  • Repton School Appoints New Technical Director of Cricket

    Repton School looks forward to welcoming preeminent school cricket coach, Martin Speight to the School in January 2024 as the new Technical Director of Cricket.
    Repton School Appoints New Technical Director of Cricket
  • Repton School Appoints New Head of Performance Hockey

    Repton School looks forward to welcoming European and Commonwealth medallist, Michael Hoare to the School in September 2023 as the new Head of Performance Hockey.
    Repton School Appoints New Head of Performance Hockey
  • WATCH: Repton School - The House Runs with You

    WATCH: Repton School - The House Runs with You
  • See Repton School in our All-through Schools Guide.

    See Repton School in our All-through Schools Guide.
  • See Repton School in our Senior Boarding Schools Guide.

    See Repton School in our Senior Boarding Schools Guide.
  • Repton School Cairo Official Opening

    Repton is delighted to announce the official opening of Repton School Cairo, a dynamic new international school in the Mivida district of New Cairo.
    Repton School Cairo Official Opening
  • Hear a pupil talk about their experience of Repton School

    Hear a pupil talk about their experience of Repton School
  • Talk Education's senior boarding focus - Repton School

    Talk Education's senior boarding focus - Repton School
  • WATCH: Repton School Aerial Film

    WATCH: Repton School Aerial Film

Repton School is
linked with:

Essentials

Address
Repton, Repton, Derbyshire DE65 6FH

Contact
admissions@repton.org.uk
01283 559200

Website
repton.org.uk

ISI Report

Fees

Term Dates

Bursaries


Open Days

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