Lindisfarne College

· A large proportion of the special character donation paid by the parents goes toward funding extra teaching staff so that class sizes are much smaller than those in state schools.

Classes that average between 18-22 students allow for greater assistance from experienced teaching staff. Students learn in an achievement based environment where the expectations of academic success are high. Each staff member works hard at creating a friendly, structured and caring atmosphere in which boys can attain their potential.

Lindisfarne boys' are pushed and challenged. They regularly get 1½–2 hours of homework each night. The personalised nature of our education systems means he will not be allowed to coast, but instead will be continually challenged to reach the highest possible standard of which he is capable.

• One of the strengths of the College is the involvement of boys in cultural activities. Just under half the students opt to learn a musical instrument. Music is a big part of daily life with groups playing daily assemblies or Chapels. Seven musical instrument groups including orchestra, brass and jazz bands, chamber music group, Rock quest, symphonic and training bands, along with a bagpipe group, play regularly at the college, in the community or in regional competitions.

• All boys attending music classes at Year 7-10 learn to read music and play an instrument.
• 120 boys (some 30%) have private music tuition and become part of one of the school ensembles.
• All boys sing in the House Music Choirs.
• All boys sing each day at Chapel Services.

· Involvement in winter and summer sports is compulsory at Lindisfarne. The College prides itself on its wide sports involvement by the boys and staff which has led to some outstanding successes at local, regional and national levels over the years.

Unlike many schools which depend on parental or 'Club" coaches, Lindisfarne staff are committed to work with the boys to develop their sporting skills. This makes for good relationships both inside and outside the classroom and also allows the staff chances to see strengths in their pupils which may not be as quickly visible in the classroom situation.

Leadership, teamsmanship, fair play, goal setting and fitness are but some of the spin-offs of Lindisfarne's compulsory team sport involvement.

The College offers a wide variety of sporting activities which it is well represented in by some very talented students.

The 'special character' section of the Lindisfarne College Integration Deed Document (1998), states: "The College shall at all times in the future be conducted and operated so as to maintain and preserve its Special Character. It was founded under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, and being interdenominational provides and education based upon Christian beliefs and practices—a balanced education for boys in a Christian setting."

The Chaplain is employed full time to lead and co-ordinate the pastoral and spiritual side of the school. He takes compulsory Religious Studies classes; prepares boys for Communion; co-ordinates "The 40-hour famine" and 'Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Awareness' campaign, and is always available as a confidential spiritual counsellor for staff or boys. Staff assist with thrice weekly Chapel services, reading lessons, being Communion Servers, etc.