College – one of the best in the country
Shropshire's international college has been described as 'near perfect' by writers of a guide to Britain's state and public schools.
The Good Schools Guide visited Concord College and said it was as ‘near perfect a place as you could want where the next generation of global high flyers is being nurtured.’
College principal Neil Hawkins said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ that such a prestigious organisation as the Good Schools Guide had presented its report which also represented the views of students, parents and teachers.
The guide is written by 50 editors, writers, researches and contributions – mostly parents but some former head teachers.
The review of the school says it is the underlying ethos of Concord College, its commitment to internationalism, to excellence and to a global, harmonious meritocracy that makes it stand out.
The guide said that whichever way organisations choose to produce exam league tables, Concord was in the top few elite selective schools in the country.
A level results at A* and A hover around 80 per cent. At GCSE, 4 per cent attain A* and 81 per cent A*/A. In 2016, 25 students entered Oxbridge and 62 into the big London university colleges whilst there were 29 off to study medicine.
The writers of the report noted: “Class sizes are small and the whole emphasis is on individual attention. We visited as A levels were kicking off and teachers had provided students with a list of all their non-contact time each week so students knew when each teacher was available for individual support.
“This reflects the high quality of teaching staff, the high regard in which they are held both by the students, but also by the management, and the fact that students come from backgrounds that are very goal orientated and believe that education is important.
“Local Shropshire parents of day students are particularly keen on the cultural, racial and religious mix. Parents and students respond to the unpretentious atmosphere and the lack of historic baggage. There is an informal feel about the college, in part reinforced by the lack of uniform that appeals, but doesn’t dilute the palpable rigour.
“The students clearly love the place and can’t speak highly enough of what it is giving them in terms of tools to build success. It is in a league of its own and one that is increasingly in high world demand.”
