Bucks &amp; Oxon

<p>Shiplake has always been a great but small school. Now it has the bonus of young ladies and a great staff. Happy boys = Happy parents = Happy Staff = repeat.</p>



<p><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-137of371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-167589" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-137of371.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-137of371-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-137of371-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Big news at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shiplake.org.uk?utm_source=muddy&amp;utm_medium=onlinereview&amp;utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_id=muddy">Shiplake College</a>! Nestled by the river, a couple of miles upstream from Henley, this day and boarding school is going fully co-ed. In 2024, it welcomed it&#8217;s second Year 7 co-ed cohort, achieving 42% of girls in Year 7 and 8,  along with a record 74 girls in the Sixth Form (which has been co-ed since 1998). </p>



<p>Set in 45 acres of gorgeous countryside, with a mix of&nbsp;stunning red brick Victorian mansion&nbsp;(the Great Hall&nbsp;is particularly impressive)&nbsp;and more modern additions, including a new boathouse with state-of-the-art gym. Shiplake&nbsp;has&nbsp;what it terms ‘a holistic approach’ to admissions assessments, looking at the whole child and what they offer (and what the school can offer in return), with academic results only part of the selection&nbsp;criteria for its 540 pupils.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FACILITIES</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">/<strong>SPORTS</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-120527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021-360x240.jpg 360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021-720x481.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/HRR-Diamond-Jubilee-Winners-2021-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Shiplake isn’t short of good facilities but its major calling card is a beautiful riverside position with its own stretch of water for rowing –&nbsp;one of the reasons it’s now the UK’s No.1 co-educational rowing school. In 2021,&nbsp;Shiplake’s female crew won the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup for women’s quadruple sculls at Henley Royal Regatta, in 2023 the College was the first to have both a boys’ crew and a girls’ crew in the semi-finals at Henley Regatta, and in 2024 Shiplake was the only school to have a crew in each of the four junior events, and they all won their first race, the boys&#8217; eight reaching the final. A number of past and present Shiplake pupils have rowed for Team GB and the&nbsp;Director of Rowing Dave Currie&nbsp;coaches junior GB athletes too, so, you know, not bad!&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="700" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Image-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-167374" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Image-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Image-1-800x560.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Image-1-400x280.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Some serious money has been spent on the new boathouse that opened in 2020 – or to give it its official name the Davies Centre. The goal is to develop a world-class rowing reputation. Aside from storage for the college’s fleet of rowing boats (and there are a lot), it’s home to a state-of-the-art fitness suite including 30 ergo rowing machines – positioned to get a river view, indoor archery and rifle range, a two-storey climbing wall, storage for other watersports, outdoor education, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award equipment. Without question it is a breath-taking location, and it&#8217;s a new addition that will not fail to impress.</p>



<p>What else? Expect the usual array of sports fields, plus an all-weather astro, a cricket pavilion overlooking the front field, a large multipurpose sports centre,&nbsp;and&nbsp;weights and cardio fitness rooms.&nbsp;There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool that’s used in the summer&nbsp;months. Hockey, netball and rowing are the three main sports for girls with tennis as a summer option, football and cricket gaining in popularity. Boys play mostly rugby, football, and cricket. There’s also yoga, run club, basketball, tennis, and the school will support the pursuit of individual activities out of school such as horse riding. </p>



<p><strong>/ ARTS</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-College-art-room.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74505" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-College-art-room.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-College-art-room-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-College-art-room-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-College-art-room-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s not all about sport. It’s cool to sing and the arts are strong here too. The John Turner Building houses the Music Department with its recording studio, practice rooms and two ensemble classrooms, an airy&nbsp;Art Department (above) and also a Thinking Space within the library area where the kids can read, research and have quiet reflective time (oh god, can I have some?).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Joseph-Drama-Production-2022.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-142983" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Joseph-Drama-Production-2022.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Joseph-Drama-Production-2022-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Joseph-Drama-Production-2022-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Joseph-Drama-Production-2022-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Marjorie&#8217;s Café, sitting in the centre of the site, is a grown up, contemporary space for Y12 and 13s to socialise and work. There’s also a 140-seat lecture theatre, complete with baby grand piano. Whereas many schools have invested in high tech theatres, The Tithe Barn Theatre in the Grade II-listed Stableyard area&nbsp;is an&nbsp;intimate venue. It’s&nbsp;solely used for drama, and has had a recent upgrade of lights, but is perhaps the weakest link in comparison to the first class facilities on offer here. They&#8217;ve started using the theatre in Henley for larger productions, such as <em>Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat </em>or <em>Alice Through the Looking Glass</em>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ACADEMICS</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-072of371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-167376" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-072of371.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-072of371-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-September-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-072of371-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Shiplake makes it clear on its website and prospectus that&nbsp;it&#8217;s a selective all-ability school – putting the development of the ‘whole child’ above academics. A dynamic Master of Scholars challenges and stretches the most gifted, while there is plenty of support on hand for those who need it. </p>



<p>Results have improved in recent years, boasting record-breaking exam results this year. The old put down of ‘you’re so Shiplake’ is long gone! This year’s A levels saw 88% A*-C, an improvement on pre-pandemic 2019 results, solid grades. The GCSE grades? Also improvements on 2019 results, with 33% awarded grades 7 or above (A*-B), and 95% of grades at 4 or above, the equivalent of the former C grade. Also worth mentioning that BTECs are on offer here for kids looking for more practical qualifications.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE HEAD</strong></h2>



<p>The Headmaster, Tyrone Howe, is a big believer in Shiplake’s core values – the so-called 3i’s: inclusive, individual, and inspirational. And his challenge to new pupils is always to be kind and bring their own bit of magic with them to school. Howe has been in the hot seat since September 2019 and is an energetic and charismatic head. He moved to Shiplake from Uppingham School in Rutland, having started his teaching career at Marlborough College. He left to become a professional rugby player, representing Ireland, the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians. Oh, and he was a Sky Sports rugby pundit too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s fair to say he fits right in; rugby is just as big as rowing at Shiplake. But Howe&#8217;s focus is not all about first team success (although everyone loves a win). He’s passionate about all sport and getting as many kids as possible to have a go, harnessing that competitive spirit and enthusiasm across all of school life. Inclusivity, community and kindness are the key to Shiplake’s success.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Shiplake College Prize Giving 2021" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6R2gDzD0Vzw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>He’s fun too. He offers a Golden Ticket reward system for academic progress (not achievement). Get your mitts on one and you get a seat at a lavish lunch. Check out his 2024 Prize Giving video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRQezNZGEFo">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BOARDING</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-Oct-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-096of338.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-167377" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-Oct-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-096of338.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-Oct-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-096of338-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Shiplake-College-Oct-2023-Navy-Studios-School-Photography-096of338-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Full, weekly, flexi-boarding and overnight stays are all possible here, with around 5% of pupils coming from overseas. From 2025 there will be four boarding houses, with junior boys&#8217; and junior girls&#8217; houses for Years 9-11 and sixth form boys&#8217; and sixth form girls&#8217; houses for Years 12 and 13. The&nbsp;boarding houses are homely, neat and pretty much as you’d expect&nbsp;– perfectly adequate to the purpose. </p>



<p>The&nbsp;latest ISI inspection, in May 2022, showed the College achieved full compliance and the top category of &#8216;excellent&#8217; in both Achievement and the Personal Development of the pupils. Read the full report <a href="http://www.shiplake.org.uk/inspection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to find out what makes Shiplake so special. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>QUIRKS</strong></h2>



<p>Quite a few, as it happens. You’d better be a dog lover if you’re heading to Shiplake – there are around&nbsp;30 dogs on site at any one time in offices and boarding houses!&nbsp;Not many secondary schools that I visit give&nbsp;every pupil in Year 7 and 8 free lessons in orchestral instruments,&nbsp;and&nbsp;then immediately&nbsp;hoiks them into the orchestra on joining in Year 7 (ear plugs at the ready for that one). There’s a great Outdoor Education programme from Year 7, which includes use of the new climbing wall, and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) from Year 10 too. And the Thinking Space in the library is quite ‘out there’ – inspired by&nbsp;companies such as Google and Innocent,&nbsp;and based on the idea that&nbsp;creative spaces help to encourage creative thought and includes ‘flow’ and ‘green’ rooms to encourage collaboration or quiet focus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FEES</strong></h2>



<p>Pretty much in line with the other&nbsp;leading independent schools in the area I’d say. Day pupils £7,660 – £9,740&nbsp;per term (which includes lunch and supper); Flexi boarding (up to 2 nights a week) £11,930 per term; Weekly boarding £13,660 per term (up to 6 nights a week); Full boarding £15,180 per term. Choking on your cornflakes?&nbsp;If you can’t afford the fees there is (means-tested) financial assistance available and also one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shiplake.org.uk?utm_source=muddy&amp;utm_medium=onlinereview&amp;utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_id=muddy">100% scholarship</a>&nbsp;for an exceptional Year 7, aimed at boys&nbsp;from state&nbsp;primary schools. Check out the website for the admissions timelines, including the deadlines for registering, for entry at Year 7, 9 and 12. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WORD ON THE GROUND</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-Cricket-infront-of-Pavilion-.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-74649" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-Cricket-infront-of-Pavilion-.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-Cricket-infront-of-Pavilion--150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-Cricket-infront-of-Pavilion--300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Shiplake-Cricket-infront-of-Pavilion--720x480.jpeg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Shiplake’s reputation has been on the up for some time, and&nbsp;the school is&nbsp;a&nbsp;strong&nbsp;option in the area. The kids I spoke to were happy here, describing the school as&nbsp;friendly and inclusive. Word is that&nbsp;the sixth form boarders would like a bit more freedom than they’re given (but really, my kids would say the same). Seriously though, it’s hard to get a bad word out of the pupils about this place. If anyone has any issues, they’re encouraged and feel able to call it out. There is a growing culture here of talking things through rather than sweeping problems under the carpet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>GOOD FOR:</strong>&nbsp;The small class sizes (generally between&nbsp;15-16 for GCSE) and ‘join in’ ethos means Shiplake suits kids who&nbsp;are bright and have a can-do attitude.&nbsp;Sporty types will be in heaven, rowers especially. Art and Photography are regarded as strong subjects. The number of girls is good in Sixth Form and will organically grow once the school transitions to co-ed.</p>



<p><strong>NOT FOR:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;The all-ability cohort won&#8217;t appeal to those looking to&nbsp;surround their kids with super brain-boxes. The school has some&nbsp;innovations&nbsp;such as&nbsp;kids not taking notes during some subject classes (Microsoft Teams is used heavily) that might not please traditionalists.</p>



<p><strong>WANT TO SEE FOR YOURSELF? </strong>Check out the school&#8217;s <a href="https://www.shiplake.org.uk/?utm_source=muddy&amp;utm_medium=onlinereview&amp;utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_id=muddy">upcoming Open Events</a> on 21 September (Whole School) and 12 October 2024 (Sixth Form).</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.shiplake.org.uk?utm_source=muddy&amp;utm_medium=onlinereview&amp;utm_campaign=muddystilettos&amp;utm_id=muddy">Shiplake College</a>, Shiplake, Henley, Oxfordshire RG9 4BW. Tel:0118 940 2455</em>.</p>


Shiplake College, nr Henley

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