Princethorpe College FAQs
Please find below our frequently asked questions regarding school life and the practicalities of being a Princethorpe pupil. If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Team (Our Registrar, Mrs Catherine Rogers or Assistant Registrar Miss Georgia Newborough) and they will be more than happy to help. Please contact the team on 01926 634201/297 or email them at admissions@princethorpe.co.uk
School Life and Transition to Secondary School
What curriculum does the school follow?
Princethorpe offers a knowledge‑rich, broad curriculum that draws on and goes well beyond the National Curriculum. Pupils study a wide range of subjects in Years 7–9, with increasing choice and specialisation at GCSE and Sixth Form. Click here to see an overview of the curriculum.
What is life like for pupils at the College?
Princethorpe is an incredibly busy and dynamic school environment with a wide variety of experiences on offer. To get a full flavour of life at the College click here to view our Termly Calendar and here to read our Tower Review magazine, which takes a look back at the preceding school year.
What co‑curricular opportunities are available, including sport, music, drama and the arts, and how do these enrich pupils’ experience beyond the classroom?
Princethorpe College offers a broad and vibrant co‑curricular programme that includes sport, music, drama, the arts and a wide range of clubs and activities. These opportunities are an integral part of school life and are designed to help pupils discover new interests, build confidence, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and enjoy a well‑rounded education beyond the classroom. The co-curricular timetable changes on a termly basis, click here to see the latest version.
How does the school support pupils of different academic abilities?
Princethorpe College supports pupils across the full range of academic ability, from those who require additional guidance to those who benefit from extra challenge. Teaching is carefully differentiated, with small class sizes enabling teachers to adapt lessons to individual needs and learning styles.
Pupils who need additional support may follow a slightly adjusted curriculum, developed in consultation with the Learning Support department, ensuring they can access learning with confidence and make strong progress.
For pupils who thrive on challenge, the College offers a Challenge Curriculum and Da Vinci Programme which are designed to stretch and inspire high‑achieving learners through deeper thinking, problem‑solving and intellectual curiosity.
How are the children put in the new teaching groups?
At Princethorpe new pupils to the school will be put onto a teaching group with children across the year group. Teaching groups are allocated to ensure a balance of ability, age, gender, and houses. They will be in the same group for most lessons e.g. Geography, Art, History etc but will have a different group for Maths lessons which are streamed by ability and for the practical subjects like DT.
What sizes are the classes at Princethorpe?
The maximum class size is 24 but are often fewer, at around 20-22 pupils. Design and Technology groups tend to be even smaller, normally around 14-16. Maths and English sets vary according to need – pupils in lower sets will be in slightly smaller groups – usually around 16 or 17. Pupils in top sets work very well in slightly larger groups, up to 23 or 24.
How are the children allocated to a House and what pastoral system is in place?
Princethorpe operates a House system, with pupils placed into vertical tutor groups comprising pupils from Year 7 to 11 within one of four Houses. Tutors are the first point of contact for pupils and parents, supported by Heads of House and senior pastoral staff.
Where there is an existing connection with the school, pupils usually go into the same house as a sibling or if the parent is an Old Princethorpian. Otherwise the houses are allocated to ensure that pupils are evenly distributed across all four houses.
How does the school support pupils transitioning from primary school or another school, will my child get lost when they come to Princethorpe?
After offers are made there are plenty of events for families to visit the College and get to know Princethorpe better. Our Induction Day at the end of June, for all new Year 7-10 pupils, offers the opportunity to spend the day as a Princethorpe pupil, meet their Head of House, Form Tutor, new classmates and other members of the Princethorpe community. In addition, we also have a Year 7 Orientation Day which takes place just before the new term starts in September. This is another opportunity to refamiliarise themselves with the College campus and meet their new teachers and classmates again just before they begin school. For older pupils, we will have Class Buddies and Transition and Induction Prefects on hand to help them find their new routine. Once term starts, our strong pastoral care, tutor support and the House system help pupils settle in very quickly.
How do we find out what is happening at school?
The College has a bi-weekly electronic newsletter, The Flagpole, that includes news articles, events, important information and advice. We start sending it to new parents towards the end of the summer term and it is the best place to find out what is happening in school. You will be sent a digital copy of the school calendar each term and you will also find a wealth of information on My School Portal, which you will be introduced to when you receive your Joining Pack around Easter.
General Information and Practicalities
Where is Princethorpe College located?
The College is situated on Leamington Road, Princethorpe – midway between Leamington Spa and Rugby, Warwickshire. If following a satnav, the best postcode to use is CV23 9PY. Pupils are drawn from across Warwickshire and neighbouring counties
How easy is the school to reach?
Princethorpe College is easy to reach by road and school transport. Its central Warwickshire location makes it accessible from areas including Rugby, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, Southam and beyond. Many families travel to the College using the extensive private school bus services or by car.
What are the school hours, and is transport available?
The school day starts at 8.40am and ends at 3.45pm. The day is structured to balance academic learning with enrichment and co‑curricular activities. A comprehensive private bus service operates daily, bringing pupils to school in time for the start of the day and returning them home at the end of lessons. Late bus services are also available on selected routes to support pupils staying for co‑curricular activities or Prep. Full details of routes and timetables are provided in the College’s Transport Website here. Services can be subject to change.
Do you offer before and after school care?
The school is open from 7.30am each day with breakfast available in The Bourse Café for early birds. Period 1 and registration is at 8.40am. School finishes at 3.45pm with co-curricular clubs taking place until 5.30pm. Princethorpe Prep, our free supervised Homework Club, is available for pupils until 6.00pm.
What are the school fees, and what is included?
School fees cover tuition, access to the broad academic and co‑curricular programme (unless provided by external agents) as well as wrap-around care.
Current fees are available on our website which can be found here.
What extra charges, apart from the school fees are there likely to be?
When your child first joins Princethorpe there will be the cost of the school uniform. There are school trips, usually for each year group and these are always connected to the curriculum. Children will need to buy food from the Refectory or bring a packed lunch. We use a biometric fingerprint system so money does not need to be brought into school. Princethorpe takes great care to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum and are always good value.
The cost of external public examination fees are also chargeable and are applicable in Year 11 and Upper Sixth and occasionally in other years. Individual subject costs vary and the total cost is also influenced by the number of examinations entered.
What uniform and equipment will my child need?
Uniform is compulsory for our pupils and helps to create a sense of shared identity, community spirit and a pride in oneself and in the College. Click here to see more about our uniform.
The College operates a 1-1 device scheme, whereby pupils are also expected to use a laptop to support blended learning. Details of our digital device scheme will be published shortly.
What makes Princethorpe College the right choice for our family?
Princethorpe College combines strong academic outcomes, exceptional pastoral care, and a distinctive ethos of kindness and community. The College aims to give its pupils a foundation for life by developing confident, caring and independent young people who are well prepared for life beyond school.