Box Hill School on Independent Schools, database, directory and resource for parents, pupils, schools, teachers and support staff

	2. School Description

	Box Hill was founded in 1959 by Mr Roy McComish a Housemaster from Gordonstoun. The school follows the philosophy of Dr Kurt Hahn, the founder of Gordonstoun in Scotland and Salem in Germany, both now sister schools of Box Hill. While placing academic work at the heart of a school Hahn stressed the importance of an all-round education as a preparation for life. He believed in confronting young people with challenges and responsibility at an early age. Box Hill boasts a strong academic tradition based on individual care, encouragement and regular testing and monitoring of work. The school caters for a wide ability from Oxbridge candidates to those who, mistakenly, have been led to believe they are second rate. Small classes and tutorial support make Box Hill ideal for those who would do less well in a larger and more impersonal school and who gain from being appreciated and valued for what they contribute. Most pupils stay on into the Sixth Form and timetables are, as far as possible individually organised. Sixth Formers usually take three 'A' levels, although some take four. In the Sixth Form class sizes are small (average is about 10) while Yr 7-11 classes are no larger than 20. All pupils are attached to one of the seven houses, in which day and boarding pupils are integrated. Each boarding house is run by a team of Housemaster or Housemistress who is resident, a Resident Assistant, Matron and other academic staff who do weeknight and weekend duties. As well as the usual dormitories and washrooms, houses have common rooms and kitchens. Dormitories are small, and most hold two or three boarders. There has been a programme of continuous refurbishment, not only providing new furniture and other fittings, but also increasing the space of each boarder. New space has also been made for day pupils. Box Hill seeks to produce well-rounded young people capable of getting on with confidence in adult life. Encouraging teamwork, developing skills and interests, helping develop a love of the outdoors, providing opportunities for service to the community as well as team and individual sports – all these are part of our aims. The school competes in soccer, hockey, netball, cricket, athletics, tennis and basketball. There is a very wide range of other activities on offer. Horse riding, karate, judo, tennis coaching, drama and speech lessons leading to LAMDA qualifications, are all available at extra charge.