The academic life of College is guided by two key principles: 

1) to educate pupils to know as broadly and to think as independently and incisively as possible,
2) to achieve the best possible exam results for each pupil.

Inside and outside the classroom, pupils are challenged through discussion, careful and knowledgeable specialist teaching, visits, lectures, mentoring, tutoring and prep. They are prepared with care for examinations and university, and are encouraged to develop independent and inquiring minds. 

The Third Form curriculum emphasises breadth and also the links between subjects: every pupil studies the same wide range of subjects including two modern languages, three sciences and Latin. 

Pupils carry on ten subjects in Fourth and Fifth Forms: all three sciences, English, English Literature, Mathematics, French (for the overwhelming majority), and four others. A large number keep on two languages, as well as subjects like Drama, Art, DT and PE.Maths and Science classes are setted throughout the school, and French and Spanish to GCSE. Others, like English, are setted to some extent from Fourth Form onwards. Science, Maths, Geography, History and English Literature are examined as IGCSE; the rest as GCSE. 

AS exams are sat at the end of Lower Sixth and A2 papers at the end of the Upper Sixth. Pupils choose from 24 possible subjects for A Level. 

Mr Duncan Byrne, Deputy Head (Academic)