Frequently asked questions

(and common myths)

 

a.  What makes Truro School different and of value?

1. The sense of direction shared by pupils, staff and parents.

2. Class sizes.

3. Highly qualified teachers.

4. Record of exam success.

5. Breadth of opportunities outside the classroom.

6. Personal care of each pupil within a Christian framework.

7. Coeducational preparation for life.

8. Great food!

 

b. Is Truro School expensive?

1.  Many pupils (currently 8%) receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships or assisted places, some of which are fully free places. These are awarded on the basis of need.

2.  By national standards for independent schools, Truro School’s fees are very low.

 

c.  Is Truro School socially exclusive?

1.  The school has a long history of serving the Cornish community, first as a state-funded Grammar School, then funded by Direct Grant and Assisted Places Schemes: its tradition is to have its feet firmly on the ground.

2.  We are committed to keeping the gates of the school as wide open as possible to the whole community in Cornwall, particularly by way of our own Assisted Places scheme.

 

d.  Is Truro School just a boys’ school with girls in it?

1.  The Sixth Form became co-educational in 1976, and the school as a whole in 1990.

2.  The pupil population is about 60:40, although in the Sixth Form there have been years when girls have out-numbered boys.  The teacher balance is similar.

 

e.  Are universities biased against independent schools?

1. There is no evidence to support this myth: virtually all our leavers gain places at their first-choice university.

2.  The best universities are looking for students who have been academically stretched, can think for themselves, and have enjoyed a broad education. Truro School consciously aims to provide all these things.

3. A survey in 2006 of 67,530 applications to 4,206 courses at 226 universities by the Independent Schools Council concluded that there was no evidence of systematic discrimination against independent school pupils by universities. It also found that 98% of pupils in ISC schools received at least one offer to one of their six chosen universities.

For more information see the ISC Universities Survey

 

f.  Is it true that independent school products are academically force-fed and cannot cope with the more autonomous learning required at university?

There is no evidence for this at all.  Indeed, some research suggests that independent school educated students do better.

 

g.  How do I start the application process?

Complete the Registration Form, post it with your Registration Fee to us and we'll take it from there..