WHAT? WHERE?

In a lush 33 acres of ancient woodland and grounds sits academically inclusive co-ed day and boarding school Tettenhall College. With over 500 pupils (a healthy split of 55% boys and 45% girls) it’s well-respected locally as an academically and pastorally strong school for ages 2-18-year-olds, with boarding options from 10 years plus.

Founded as a boys’ school in 1863, the original Grade II listed Victorian building is still intact, including a beautiful, wooden-clad theatre. It’s been co-ed for more than 40 years and boasts a campus full of heritage buildings mixed with modern facilities and playing fields. Nursery and prep are in the same building, while senior is separate, but many senior facilities are shared with prep. Just outside the school gates you’ll find the quintessentially English village of Tettenhall, complete with a bustling high street, village green and a popular lido.

FACILITIES

Sports/

There’s an elite roll call of sports facilities here, which isn’t that surprising considering the school has gone on to produce Olympians, Commonwealth gymnasts, international karate players and students playing at the youth academy for Wolverhampton Wanderers – whose training ground the school overlooks. Tettenhall College also regularly hosts training events for Pentathlon GB.

On the curriculum there are five hours of sport each week from Year 3 onwards with the facilities to deliver it and then some, with a squash academy (headed up by professional player Chris Dawson), alongside tennis courts, two rugby pitches, two football pitches, a full cross country course and a cricket pitch with brick and wood-clad pavilion. There’s also a 13 metre swimming pool with weekly sessions which start in Prep. For strong swimmers there’s a Swimming Academy which runs training before school three times a week, along with scuba diving clubs and mindfulness float sessions for children – complete with mood lighting and whale music.

The most popular sports here are football for boys and netball for girls, but there’s also the likes of rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis and gymnastics along with fencing, archery, golf, yoga, karate, laser shooting and badminton. There’s a busy fixture list, and competition and teamwork are encouraged, with top achievers recognised in assemblies on a weekly basis. Many compete in national sporting competitions like the ISA National Swimming finals, ISA Hockey and most recently one student was called up to the England U16s football squad to play in an international tournament in Paris.

Arts/

The jewel in Tettenhall College’s crown is undoubtedly The Towers Theatre – a full scale Victorian theatre on the heart of campus which plays host to annual productions, drama classes, guest speakers and assemblies. It’s got space for an orchestra and students from here have gone on to the likes of RADA and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Senior students who are budding thespians can take a BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts.

In prep there’s weekly singing lessons and chance to join the school choir. Visiting music teachers mean pretty much any instrument can be learnt from an early age. There’s also a strings programme from Year 2 and music timetabled from Year 3. Among the vast choices for enrichment is a stage lighting and music technology class, which is hugely popular and takes place in the heart of the theatre, along with the likes of choirs, music ensembles, school orchestra and much more.

School/

The original part of the school houses one of the most beautiful libraries I’ve seen, with sash windows, original fireplaces and plenty of nooks and crannies and squishy sofas to relax on with a good book. It’s headed up by a full-time librarian, with library classes taken weekly and on the curriculum until Year 9. The library’s a shared space between prep and the senior school, which is par for the course at Tettenhall. While children in prep have their own facilities, like science labs and music rooms they often use senior rooms. On the day I visit Year 3 are excited about a cooking class taking place in the brand-new boarding kitchens.

Classes in senior school average around 18 students, and from Year 7 they have access to an onsite coffee shop, which is a big hit and feels worlds away from the dining hall, where all students eat together at stilted meal times.

LITTLIES

The nursery, split between ages 2 and 3, is a calming space with neutral colours, but don’t worry – that doesn’t mean boring! When I visit there’s a music lesson taking place – there’s around 13 children per class – and kids were having a riot singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ while bashing around some maracas. There are piles of muddy wellies all throughout the pre-prep and prep, with pupils taking forest lessons weekly from reception until Year 6, under the tutelage of a specialist forest school teacher. And no wilting flowers here – these lot are out in rain and snow! In reception French lessons also take place, with a second language introduced in Year 3.

There’s a big focus on building confidence and relationships at Tettenhall, which starts early on. Two children are chosen on a weekly basis as ‘class ambassadors’, and waste no time jumping up to tell me what they’re up to in every class I walk past. Sweetly, the quieter children were often encouraged and supported by their fellow ambassador. This is echoed throughout the school in other ways like ‘buddy benches’ for children to sit on and receive support from their peers when they feel shy or lonely, along with pupils chosen to be school counsellors and anti-bullying ambassadors.

SIXTH FORM

Highly selective, with a high intake of students at Tettenhall, and plenty wanting to join then too. Entry is dependent on high enough GCSE grades, with a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above (grade 6 in Maths to study Further Maths or Science A Levels), plus an interview with the headmaster.

Currently there’s 80 students, and no plans to take more than 100 in future to keep the close-knit community vibe. Students are heavily involved in everyday school life by supporting their younger peers and taking on leadership roles. While most classes take place in the senior school building there are some independent sixth form facilities, like art rooms with pupil’s own dedicated spaces, and a study centre kitted out with quiet work areas, computers and open after hours for homework to be completed. Students are relaxed and friendly, passionate about their studies, and keen to show their work off.

ACADEMICS

The most recent grades in sixth form saw 23% at grade A*-A, and at GCSE 95% received grades A*-E. Most leavers go on to Russell Group unis or even to study in the likes of Australia, Spain or the Netherlands. A notable number of pupils in years 7,9 & 12 can secure scholarships in academic, sport, drama, music, art or performing art categories.

There’s a roll call of big-name alumni, including Olympian Peter Radford, who won a bronze medal and also set numerous world records, Sir Arthur Harden was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, actor Nigel Bennett and cricketer Tom Fell. Former students – called Old Tettenhallians – are often welcomed back for exhibitions, dinners and garden parties. And it’s clear they remain committed to the school, given their regular visits and some even donate back to special projects.

There’s a broad curriculum available from GCSE, with options including electronics, computing and psychology – with electronics and business introduced in Year 9 ahead of students choosing their options. Enrichment activities are varied too, with everything from Mandarin and bee-keeping to Lego robotics and astronomy, along with a popular Duke of Edinburgh programme. Parents can keep an eye on what their children are up to through an online system which provides feedback on homework.

PASTORAL CARE

Very strong. There’s all the staff you could need from an assistant head pastoral, designated safeguarding lead, two nurses onsite working in the school’s medical centre, SEN leads for both prep and senior schools, and a counsellor. Wellbeing sessions with the nurse are available in ‘The Pod’ – a quiet room off the medical centre. Daily care is offered by form tutors and peer mentors, in the form of trained older students. For those needing extra academic support it’s available within classes, in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

SEN students tend to do well here, and staff are honest about the need for Tettenhall to be right for not only the student, but also for the school. To make sure both are the right fit taster sessions can go on for up to a week – yep, boarding tasters too! It’s a Crested accredited school – which recognises its work teaching of pupils with specific learning difficulties. Gifted children are given opportunity to extend their knowledge with extension work in the classroom or small group activities like extended maths classes.

Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, and children’s decisions impact the school community. Outside Tettenhall College’s walls there’s heaps of community involvement, with locals invited to firework displays, garden parties and charity events hosted by the school. There’s also a charity committee which raises awareness of charities, organises fundraising events and visits to local care homes and hospices. Recent beneficiaries include Macmillan, Cancer Research and The Well in Wolverhampton.

BOARDING

Full, weekly and flexi boarding is available from the age of 10 across two houses – one for girls and one for boys (with the boys’ rooms overlooking nearby Wolves training ground, which is a big hit). Both recently underwent a £2million upgrade which saw each fitted with huge communal kitchens and lounge areas. Younger pupils share a room, with around two or three in each, and a sixth former can choose a single room if they’d prefer. Despite all the mod cons from the upgrade – kids love the football tables and huge cinema TVs on the walls – there’s heaps of wonderful period features throughout like original windows and ceiling beams in the light and airy dorms. Parents can visit during evenings, or weekends when kids can also go home. During school holidays every student heads home or to a guardian.

There’s just over 100 boarders, with the capacity for 120, and the majority are international – with a whopping 28 nationalities represented here. Boarders are heavily involved in making decisions on activities, trips and food choices, and tell me they love the close proximity to the high street for shopping and dining. Students say they like the close integration between boarding and day students, along with the dynamic of sharing with peers from so many different nationalities.

THE HEAD

Chris McAllister has a rule that he wouldn’t work anywhere he wouldn’t want his children to learn – and he certainly practices what he preaches. Both his children are at the school, along with wife Victoria who heads up the admissions department. They live just over the road from Tettenhall College.

He started his career teaching English in West Africa before moving to Cheadle Hulme School as head of philosophy, followed by Mount St Mary’s as deputy head. After more than four years at Tettenhall he has made a raft of changes, including increasing boarding provision and creating new facilities. He’s also placed a huge focus on ensuring students’ next steps are constantly catered for, with dedicated pathways from prep all the way through to sixth form, which staff and parents regularly check in on.

Mr McAllister is a warm, approachable head and takes a hands-on approach to his role, from investing heavily in staff every year to ensure class sizes remain small, to holding regular one-to-ones with students. You’ll often find him over in prep school, where he listens to the kids practice their reading on a weekly basis.

Major renovations are currently taking place to restore the Towers building, including a new roof. The scaffolding’s up now but it’s clear to see how beautiful this building will look restored to its former glory. Other renovations will include a new dining room, improved common rooms and new Sixth Form areas.

QUIRKS

If you like getting really involved in school life then you’ll enjoy the parent suppers which are hosted throughout the year. The parents of every child are invited in by year group for a three-course dinner – sans kids, and with wine – to chat to each other and the teachers. There’s also a huge annual firework display held which sees around 3,500 teachers, students, families, locals and alumni turn out to watch the display.

Scholarships aren’t just for the scholars here – the school has introduced them as a way to stretch and challenge every student. Every child has access to the program – which is compulsory for scholars – and gives pupils in year 7-13 a handbook to work through each year on projects they enjoy in a bid to receive a scholarship certificate. It also stands them in good stead for achieving a scholarship down the line (and a bit of a discount for parents too – bonus!).

WRAP AROUND CARE

Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am at £3.50 per day for all year groups. After school, children can stay until 6pm with tea charged at £3.50. Tea for senior school day pupils is £4.55.

Flexi boarding is available for up to £51 per night or £225 per week.

ISI REPORT

The most recent report is from 2019 where the school was deemed excellent for personal development and pastoral care.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Phones can be brought to school but they must be off during lessons – something which is strictly enforced here.

TRANSPORT

The school operates a mini-bus service which costs £292 annually for short trips to and from school, or £408 for those living further away. The city of Wolverhampton and its great transport links via bus and rail is just 20 minutes away, as is Birmingham Airport.

FEES

About average for this area – full boarding fees start from £8,838, while weekly boarding is from £6,928. For day pupils it’s between £2,880 in reception and up to £5,491 in senior school and sixth form.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents say the school helps their children be confident and independent, and pupils show a strong sense of self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline.

Kids tell me they love the enrichment activities and sports provision on offer, and the food – all cooked in house – gets two thumbs up too.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Academically ambitious kids who would thrive in a family-atmosphere with a strong sense of community.

Not for: If your child is a super-shy wallflower, they may feel Tettenhall College is too much. There’s an expectation that kids will have a go and make the most of the vast range of activities on offer.

Dare to disagree? See for yourself! The next whole school open day is 28 Sept and check out a 360 degree virtual tour of the school here.

School review: Tettenhall College

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