Daily life
‘Paulines have an uplifting effect on everyone. They are very kind.’ — L8th former
At St Paul’s School we offer an individual education for each boy, combining extra-curricular interests and sports with a wide range of academic studies, developing a personal curriculum that might encompass Japanese, a meeting about classical civilisation and water polo on a Wednesday and Chemistry club, rugby practice and trombone on a Thursday, as well as timetabled lessons.
This personal combination of studies is overseen by our tutors, who ensure that any of the inevitable clashes of interest are addressed and that extra time rehearsing for Hamlet doesn't mean maths homework is no longer important.
We expect a lot from our boys: each academic subject sets homework to be completed before the next lesson, so pupils soon learn the skills of time management and prioritising that will give them the self-confidence and independence required at university and beyond.
The week runs from Monday to Friday with 8, 35-minute periods each day. All boys have one afternoon of games a week.
A striking feature of each day is our 100 minute lunch-break (12.35–2.15). This is when we run a large number of societies, talks, games, coaching sessions and other activities.
In the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth forms, homework is set for every school day and should take about 2 hours. Boys in the Lower and Upper Eighths are expected to spend at least 15 hours a week on homework and private study for their AS and A Level subjects.
