In order to enhance its position in the independent education sector, Rydal Penrhos has announced a series of significant changes, including stopping boarding and becoming a full day school.
Pupil numbers at the school were up 10% at the beginning of the academic year in September, with 80% of those at Rydal Penrhos now enrolled as day pupils.
The school said this can be attributed to the 2018 exam results achieved at A-level and GCSE, with sixth-formers securing 45.1% A*–A marks: the highest in the school’s history by some margin since the introduction of the A* grade.
In accordance with this change in need, the school’s governing body has announced the launch of Project Bold, which will see the gradual transition of Rydal Penrhos to a full day school by 2021.
We now have a focused strategy which allows us to be able to dedicate our resources to and focus our finances on the majority of our market
This decision has come following a lengthy period of strategic review on all aspects of the site, taking in factors such as the changing market for independent education and the general economic climate. Headmaster Simon Smith left ahead of this shake-up in January, having been in charge at Rydal Penrhos for two years.
The school will operate with a teaching week from Monday to Friday from September this year following findings from a recent pupil and parent survey. The school will continue to provide its co-curricular and wrap-around care for both prep and senior pupils and their families.
A spokeperson from the school said: “We now have a focused strategy which allows us to be able to dedicate our resources to and focus our finances on the majority of our market and hugely benefit our local day school families.”
Plans are currently being formed for the use of the boarding houses.
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