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Christ College, Brecon

Coordinates: 51°56′46″N 3°23′43″W / 51.9462°N 3.3954°W / 51.9462; -3.3954
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Christ College
Location
Map
, ,
LD3 8AF

Wales
Coordinates51°56′46″N 3°23′43″W / 51.9462°N 3.3954°W / 51.9462; -3.3954
Information
TypePublic school
Private day and boarding
Motto"Possunt Quia Posse Videntur"
("They achieve because they think they can achieve")
Religious affiliation(s)Anglican
Established1541; 483 years ago (1541)[1]
FounderHenry VIII
Local authorityPowys
Department for Education URN401984 Tables
HeadGareth Pearson
Staffc. 70
GenderCo-educational
Age7 to 18
Number of students400
HousesSt. Nicholas (boys and girls aged 7–11)
Alway (boys and girls aged 11–13)
  Donaldson's (girls aged 13–18)
  Orchard (boys aged 13–18)
  St. David's (co-ed (day) aged 13–18)
 School (boys aged 13–18)
  de Winton (girls aged 13–18)
Colour(s)Green and gold
PublicationThe Breconian
Former pupilsOld Breconians
Websitewww.christcollegebrecon.com

Christ College, Brecon, is a co-educational, boarding and day independent school, located in the cathedral and market town of Brecon in mid-Wales. It currently caters for pupils aged 7–18 years.

History

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Christ College was founded by Royal Charter in 1541 by King Henry VIII.[1] The school still uses the medieval chapel and halls of the Dominican friary which was closed during the Dissolution of the monasteries. The buildings were restored by John Pollard Seddon in the 19th century, and again by W. D. Caröe in the 20th, and are a Grade I listed structure.[2]

The school has been ranked in the top three of UK independent schools in terms of "value for money" by the Financial Times newspaper.[citation needed] In December 2017, Estyn (HM's Inspectorate for Education & Training in Wales) assessed Christ College's performance as "excellent" across all five inspection areas – the highest grade that can be awarded. In 2017, 96% of GCSE grades were A*-C and 100% of the pupils achieved 5 or more GCSEs at Grade C. At A-Levels, the overall pass rate (A*-E grades) was at 98% and 83% of results were at A*-C.

Houses

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There are seven houses in the school. There are: two senior boys' boarding houses, Orchard and School; two senior girls' boarding houses, de Winton and Donaldson's; a mixed day house, St David's; and Alway House, for boys and girls aged 11–13. In September 2014, St Nicholas House opened for boys and girls aged 7–11.

Cricket ground

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The first recorded match held on the college cricket ground was in 1888, when the college played Llandovery College.[3] During the West Indies 1991 tour of England the ground was used to host a limited overs match against Wales, Brian Lara scoring 82. In use for the entire 20th century, the ground was used by Glamorgan for a List A cricket match against the touring Zimbabweans.[4] The Glamorgan Second XI used the college ground for Second Eleven Trophy matches, firstly in 1996 when they played the Somerset Second XI and secondly in 1997 when they played the Hampshire Second XI.[5]

Old Breconians

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Christ College Brecon in £5m anniversary investment boost". BBC News. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  2. ^ Cadw. "Chapel and remains of nave of former friary at Christ College (Grade I) (6826)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  3. ^ Other matches played on Christ College
  4. ^ List-A Matches played on Christ College
  5. ^ Second XI Trophy Matches played on Christ College
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