- This coeducational academy, which dates back to 1950, opened a £10 million concert hall in 2013. Saffron Hall is open to the public outside school hours and hosts Saffron Screen, the town’s non-profit independent cinema.
- Large-scale musicals and plays are performed there, too. The senior concert band, chamber choir, show choir, guitar ensemble, jazz band and orchestra make up the annual music tour which is the highlight of the arts calendar.
- Extracurricular sport is an important part of school life, whether as part of a competitive team or just for fun.
- If pupils miss out on an oversubscribed school trip, they get priority next time. There are trips to France in Years 7-9 and in Year 10 there is an Easter trip to America. Year 12 students have the opportunity to go to Geneva and take part in an expedition, perhaps to Nepal or Morocco.
- Former pupils include the Olympic showjumping gold medallist Ben Maher and the broadcaster Iain Dale.
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