Bancroft's has a flourishing foreign exchange programme with schools in France and Germany. Pupils, generally in their third year, are encouraged to join the visit to the College Lumiere in Besancon and in the next year those studying German have the chance to visit the Regiomontanus Gymnasium in Hassfurt. The emphasis on oral work for GCSE make these exchanges invaluable.

The long Autumn half-term break provides an excellent opportunity for foreign travel. Classical tours have become an annual attraction with visits to Italy, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. Art tours have taken parties to Paris, Florence and Amsterdam. For many years an annual ski party of over a hundred has been arranged with great success at resorts in several European countries. Expeditions to Russia, New Zealand and the centres of the EC administration are also regular features of the Bancroft's calendar.

Many girls and boys join the Combined Cadet Force which has Army and Royal Air Force sections and a Corps of Drums. The Army Section is affiliated to 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment following a long association with the Essex Regiment. The varied training includes flying, gliding, orienteering, and there is a very active Signals sections. A new shooting range was opened in 1986. Three camps are arranged each year and other exercises are undertaken.

There is a flourishing Sea Scout Group with cubs, scouts and Venture scouts. We are proud of the fact that ours is one of the first scout groups to welcome both girls and boys to full and equal membership. It has five sailing dinghies and many canoes.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is also very popular for the opportunities which it provides for social service and challenging expeditions. The Community Service Unit is well supported, stimulating awareness of community issues and actively helping to tackle them. Boys and girls visit the sick and elderly, and assist at local hospitals and schools for the handicapped. Each year many projects in aid of charity are undertaken and in all cases Bancroftians are encouraged to take the initiative in selecting causes to support, generating interest through spreading information and finding enterprising methods to raise money for local, national and international charitable causes.

The key aim, with differing points of emphasis, in all these activities is to promote self-reliance and self-confidence under challenging conditions. Many valuable skills, which continue to be enjoyed after leaving school, are learned. Boys and girls derive great benefit from involvement in the wide range of opportunities made available, and employers and universities set great store by the personal qualities which are fostered and the qualifications which can be gained. Bancroftians thus have a chance to reveal and develop abilities and strengths of character which may not emerge in the academic course of school life and relationships between staff and pupils are greatly strengthened through co-operation in such extra- curricular activities.

Higher Education & Careers

About 80 Bancroftians each year embark upon university degree courses. The remainder enter directly into careers, generally involving further professional training. A great deal of advice is available within the School for those who are looking to higher education or careers. The Careers Room holds extensive information on CD ROM, video, and in books and pamphlets to help pupils research University and professional opportunities. It is open all day. There are three members of staff specialising in careers advice. Housemasters and tutors also play an important part, in conjunction with parents, in encouraging sixth formers to make realistic and well-informed decisions about their future. A careers convention is held regularly to enable pupils and parents to meet representatives of many careers and pupils are kept informed about open days and careers visits.

Those pupils considering Higher Education also receive specialised advice from experienced members of staff. In all cases Housemasters stress the importance of researching courses and universities thoroughly and many pupils have benefited from finding exactly the right course in the most appropriate place.

Old Bancroftians

A strong Old Bancroftians' Association keeps former pupils in touch with one another and the School. Activities include an Annual Dinner at the School, various regional dinners and Old Bancroftians' Day. Other Old Bancroftian organisations include the Cricket Club, Golf Society, Dramatic Society and Masonic Lodge. The Bancroft Rugby Club, many of whose members are former pupils, has a first class ground not far from the School with facilities for Rugby football, squash and social entertainment.

The Old Bancroftians' Exhibition and Loan Fund, financed almost entirely by contributions from Old Bancroftians, provides financial support for pupils and Old Bancroftians towards educational opportunities which they might otherwise be unable to afford.

Leaving Scholarships

The Stern Award helps a Senior pupil to undertake an adventurous and challenging project during the School holidays. Recent holders have taught in Sri Lanka, taken a Youth Leadership course in Botswana and participated in Operation Raleigh.

One Littlewood Scholarship for Science, and six Drapers' Prizes are awarded annually to leavers.