BESSA Singapore 2018

Abingdon combines over 750 years of history and tradition with a modern outlook, offering a world class education that sees former pupils at the top of just about every profession and industry.  Situated just a few miles from the leading cultural and academic centre of Oxford and within easy reach of London’s international airports, Abingdon is ideally placed to welcome overseas boarders. Indeed, boarding has been synonymous with Abingdon throughout our history, attracting students who live locally as well as those from abroad.

We are an academically selective school and exam results are consistently excellent. In the Fifth Year, students typically study ten GCSEs and, in the Sixth Form, we follow A level and Pre-U syllabuses. The Sixth Form timetable is flexible, enabling pupils to take varied subject combinations from the 25 subjects on offer, all of which meet the School’s rigorous academic standards. In a typical year, close to 40% of pupils gain A* or A grades in three or more subjects at A level.  We have a specialist team of career advisers who mentor the Sixth Form on university applications and, each year, Abingdon pupils go on to study at world leading universities, including the prestigious Russell Group and Ivy League colleges. In the UK, popular choices include Oxford, Cambridge (9 students hold Oxbridge places in 2022) and the London institutions – Imperial, LSE, King’s and UCL. Abroad, our pupils currently hold places at the universities of Toronto, Hong Kong, Auckland and a variety of US campuses including Yale. Popular subjects studied include Engineering in its many guises, Medicine, Economics, Sciences and the Humanities.

Our timetable also allows our students plenty of access to Abingdon’s extensive Other Half (extra-curricular) programme which, with over 150 activities on offer, is the envy of most schools – even those within the independent sector. Whether it’s music, science and computing clubs, chess, finance and business, film making, journalism, the arts or sport – the opportunities are plenty and there for the taking.

We also believe strongly in broadening horizons through travel and, whilst this has been restricted over the past couple of years due to the Covid pandemic, the recent lifting in restrictions means our students are once again able to experience the myriad of language exchanges, cultural and sports tours, previously enjoyed in a ‘normal’ school year. We also know that an individual’s success at school is intrinsically linked to their health and wellbeing. At Abingdon, our pastoral care revolves around the House system. Each pupil is both a member of a House under the care of a housemaster and belongs to a tutor group, led by a tutor with whom he meets daily. This system fosters a friendly atmosphere and promotes a feeling of identity and belonging – older students feel a sense of responsibility and experience; and younger pupils benefit from support, friendship and advice.

Over the last ten years, the School has undergone an extensive investment programme, adding our science centre; sports centre and swimming pool; dedicated sixth form centre, library and arts centre; and business, economics and computer science building, to our impressive list of facilities. Looking forward to 2023, there is much anticipation for the completion of a new dining pavilion and our extended and renovated boarding accommodation. This will offer a truly contemporary and vibrant home from home environment with extended study areas and single bedrooms for all sixth form students, but it is also set to enhance the Abingdon experience for our day pupils who are an integral part of our boarding houses.

Facts & Figures

Headmaster:  Michael Windsor (BA Durham; MA London)
Address:  Abingdon School, Park Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1DE
Website:  www.abingdon.org.uk
Admissions telephone:  +44 (0) 1235 849041
Admissions email:  admissions@abingdon.org.uk
Religion:  Multi-denominational
Number of students:  1,050 Boys | 150 boarders, 900 day pupils
Age range:  11 – 18 years (full or weekly boarding from 13)
Fee range:  Day – £7,450 per term; Weekly boarding – £12,410 per term; Full boarding – £15,200 per term

Famous Alumni:

• Alex Fisher (born 1990), professional footballer
• Martin Landray, physician, epidemiologist and data scientist
• David Mitchell (born 1974), comedian and actor
• Kit Young (born 1994), actor
• Charlie Atkinson (born 2001), professional rugby player
• Toby Marlow, composer, writer and actor
• Radiohead
• Toby Jones, actor
• Kim Darroch, diplomat

Location

Bedales School is one of the UK’s top independent co education boarding schools. Bedales comprises three schools situated near Petersfield, Hampshire: Bedales Pre prep, Dunannie (ages 3-8); Bedales Prep, Dunhurst (ages 8-13); and Bedales itself (ages 13-18).

Established in 1893, Bedales was founded to be different. Where other independent boarding schools imposed conformity, we have always nurtured individuality, initiative and an enquiring mind. Our founder, John Badley, wanted to educate the whole person – ‘head, hand and heart’. Pursuing this ideal, Bedales has evolved constantly. Most recently, we have led the way in replacing some GCSEs with our own more demanding Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs).

The 2017 results show that our students can achieve their full potential across a diverse range of subjects. The vast majority of Bedales students secured places at their first choice university in, with 18 (2017 cohort) and 14 (2016 cohort) starting courses at QS 2018 World Top 50 universities – including Cambridge, Oxford, King’s College London, Edinburgh and more. In the BACs, GCSEs and IGCSEs, half of grades in 2017 were A* or A.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head:  Magnus Bashaarat
Address:  Church Road, Steep, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 2DG
Telephone of admissions: +44 (0)1730 711733
Website:  www.bedales.org.uk
Religion: none
Number of students: 204 boys; 258 girls; 314 Boarding; 148 day
Age range:  Pre-prep (ages 3-8); Prep (ages 8-13); Senior (ages 13-18).
Fee range: Senior – £28,515 to £36,285 per year; Prep – £16,920 to £24,930 per year

Location

Brighton College is one of the country’s leading independent schools for girls and boys. The College regularly achieves the best A-level and GCSE results of any co-educational school in the UK, whilst ensuring children enjoy a wealth of extracurricular opportunities. Renowned for its focus on kindness, the school also excels in art, music, dance, drama and sport, and is proud to ensure every child is valued for who they are.

In the College’s just published Inspection Report, the school received ‘Excellent’ in all categories. The Report included many glowing comments, including: “Kindness is at the core of the school.”

Recently named ‘United Kingdom School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times, the College has been awarded ‘Britain’s most forward-thinking school’ and ‘Top in Britain for STEM’ by The Week.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Richard Cairns
Address: Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 0AL
Telephone of admissions: +44 (0)1273 704200
Website: www.brightoncollege.org.uk
Email: registrar@brightoncollege.net
Religion: Church of England, though the College welcomes children of all faiths and none
Number of students: Day: 470 boys, 350 girls, Boarding: 245 boys, 207 girls, Total 1,272
Residential info: Weekly and full boarding, day
Age range: 11 to 18 years (boarding from 13)
Fee range: Day – £8,400, Weekly boarding – £12,220, Full boarding – £16,740

Location

Bromsgrove School’s results are impressive, but Bromsgrove is much more than a place to get good grades, it prides itself on being a happy school where children of all ages can thrive both academically and outside of the classroom. The Goods Schools Guide states that: ‘the school looks for what every individual is good at and helps them find their niche and passion’.

The Curriculum is wide and varied, all GCSE pupils study the sciences as separate subjects and all study one or more modern foreign languages. In the Sixth Form pupils can chose either the IB Diploma or A-levels, BTECs in Sports Performance and Business are also offered in the Sixth Form.

The School’s results are excellent with an average IB score of over 39 points in the past few years and at A level almost 60% of candidates attain a grade A*/A; with almost 90% achieving A*/B. The majority of pupils continue to top UK and world universities such as UCL, Durham, Exeter, Bristol, Nottingham and overseas universities including USA, Canada and European destinations.

Bromsgrove boasts an extremely varied extra-curricular programme and pupils are encouraged to participate in activities ranging from creative arts, performing arts, additional sports and academic extension activities. Sport at Bromsgrove is particularly strong with individuals and teams regularly reaching national finals in sports such as hockey, netball, rugby, swimming and cricket.

Among its fifteen hundred children aged 7-18, Bromsgrove has almost six hundred boarding pupils. The School has made massive investment into its buildings in recent years; all boarding Houses are either new or have been fully renovated to the highest standards. These join state of the art, architecturally striking academic facilities and significant sports developments together with an impressive a new performing arts centre with both a theatre and a concert hall.

Situated 15 miles from both Birmingham and Worcester, Bromsgrove has easy access to the Midlands motorway network. Birmingham International Airport is 25 minutes away and London Heathrow 2 hours by car.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Michael Punt
Address: Bromsgrove School, Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU
Telephone of admissions: +44 (0) 1527 579 679, ext 318
Website: www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk
Email: admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk
Religion: All faiths welcome
Number of students: Prep School – 424 day pupils & 100 boarders (63 boys & 37 girls);
Senior School – 542 day pupils & 467 boarders (271 boys & 196 girls)
Age range: Prep School – 7 to 13 years; Senior School – 13 to 18 years
Fee range: Prep School: £9,135 – £11,2655 per term; Senior School: £14,055 per term
Boarding Houses: Prep – 1 co-ed boarding house for 100 pupils aged 7 – 13
Senior – 2 boys houses, 2 girls houses and a Sixth Form co-ed house

Location

Cheltenham Ladies’ College opened its doors in 1854, with the purpose of providing girls with a thorough academic education and, over 160 years later, we continue to be proud of our strong tradition of innovation, academic excellence and empowerment in the education of young women.

Educating 850 pupils from around the world, College is a large community of boarding and day girls, with expert teaching and pastoral care, and outstanding facilities. While academic achievements are important, these must go hand-in-hand with co-curricular activities that interest and challenge them, a community that supports them, and opportunities to pursue passions and learn from failure. Our wide-ranging programmes offer opportunities to undertake new experiences and we are committed to helping every girl to find the talent and potential that lie within.

Our GCSE, A Level and IB results are consistently excellent, and we have been named the top girls boarding school in the country for IB results in three years since 2015, and repeatedly named the best independent school in the South West.

College is situated in Cheltenham, one of England’s most beautiful Regency towns, with graceful architecture, beautiful gardens and fantastic culture, including the annual Cheltenham Festivals (Jazz, Science, Music and Literature) which enrich the girls’ curriculum though our strategic sponsorship.

We are committed to developing intellectually curious, self-motivated, enthusiastic young women with an enduring love of learning. Our leavers choose a variety of paths for future study, from medicine, law or engineering, to design, animation or drama: this is testament to the independent thinking, creativity and self-belief actively encouraged and thriving within our College community.

View photos and videos

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Ms Eve Jardine-Young

Address: Bayshill Road, Cheltenham GL50 3EP UK

Telephone of admissions: +44 (0)1242 707070

Website: www.cheltladiescollege.org

Religion: Christian – all faiths welcome

Number of students: 676 full boarding pupils; 169 day pupils

Age range: 11 – 18 years

Fee range: £8,580 to £14,390 per term

Location

“We chose the Dragon because it combined excellent academic qualities in a co-educational environment with an extraordinary offering of extra-curricular activities” – Parent

The Dragon is a co-educational school which has offered a unique educational experience to generations of pupils.  Our distinctive approach encourages enquiry, confidence and enthusiasm in a quintessentially English boarding environment.   Our beautiful campus and dedicated Pre-Prep are located just north of central Oxford – the oldest University city in the land.

The breadth of intellectual and philosophical challenge underpins an expansive academic curriculum, a wonderful programme of sport and an extraordinarily creative programme of music, drama and art. A range of superb facilities, first-class teaching and plenty of space for both sport and play allows children to develop their unique gifts and talents.

The traditional view of boarding has changed immeasurably in the past few decades and we pride ourselves on providing a safe and happy environment in which to learn.  With an informality that builds trust and allows children to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for others, pupils are helped to become well-rounded, confident, independent and motivated – all the attributes they will need to become socially adept and emotionally intelligent adults.

Dragons go onto a vast range of senior schools, notably Eton, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey, Radley, Cheltenham Ladies College, St Edward’s Oxford, Rugby, Harrow, Marlborough, Wellington, Oundle and many more.   Preparatory years at the Dragon lay the firm foundations of a successful education at senior schools in the UK and beyond.

Profile

Name of School: Dragon School

School address: Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS

Head: Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn

Admissions:  Kate Heath

Website: www.dragonschool.org

Contact: admissions@dragonschool.org;  Telephone:  +44 1865 315405

School twitter handle: twitter.com/thedragonschool

Age Range:  4- 13

Gender: co-educational; 326 girls and 483 boys

Total No. pupils 809.  Prep-Prep: 217 Prep: 592 (boarders: 208, of whom 77 are international, including 34 UK families overseas)

Boarding Fees 2018/19: £10,205

Programmes Offered: Common Entrance or individual senior school Scholarship

Location

Set in a stunning location between the sea and the South Downs, Eastbourne College offers a full education that is so much more than the excellent academic results the boys and girls achieve year after year.

Pupils are given every opportunity to achieve their very best – whether it be in the academic classroom, the creative arts departments, or on the sports field. They thrive in this welcoming and purposeful environment and develop into highly able individuals who leave prepared to live fulfilled, positive lives; able to work with others; self-confident, resilient individuals who show initiative and leadership.

Academically, pupils achieve superb results. The ten-year rolling average A*-B at A level is 78.2% and each year many leavers gain places at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities. With 90 full-time specialist subject teachers and more than 20 part-time teachers, the school is able to deliver excellent teaching across a broad range of subjects. Departments are frequently open during the evenings and often provide additional support at weekends and in the holidays.

Project 150, a £33 million building development, is transforming the lives of pupils and staff. Well over an acre of land has been developed to further strengthen the College’s excellent facilities. The Nugee Building, phase one of the project, opened at the start of 2017 delivering 32 state-of-the–art classrooms, two specialist IT suites, a new cricket pavilion, a school shop and several stunning entertaining areas. The second phase is now open and includes a sports hall, a six-lane swimming pool, squash courts, dance studio, fitness suites, a new dining hall and a pupil café.

Every individual is encouraged to participate fully in the College’s extensive sports programme. In addition to the major sports of cricket, hockey, netball and rugby, pupils have the opportunity to try other sports like fencing, sailing, rowing, golf and rugby fives.

The College considers the performing arts to be a vital element in the education of all pupils and performance opportunities are numerous. Co-curricular activity is vigorous and pastoral support renowned. The care and development of each pupil lies at the centre of everything that happens at the College where tried and tested systems are employed to encourage, guide and nurture every individual to achieve their very best.

Facts and Figures

Name of Head:  Tom Lawson

Address: Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4JX

Admissions Telephone: +44 1323 452323

Website: www.eastbourne-college.co.uk

Religion:  Church of England, but all faiths are welcome

Number of Students:  382 boys and 253 girls; 336 boarders and 299 day pupils

Age range: 13 to 18 years old

Fee Range: £23,130 to £35,655 per annum

Location

As well as preparing students for exams, Gordonstoun prepares them for life. The school’s uniquely broad curriculum encourages every individual to fulfil their academic potential and develop their character.

Gordonstoun follows the English GCSE and A level curriculum. With a staff/pupil ratio of 1:7 and every student’s progress carefully overseen by their tutor, they go on Universities, Colleges and Art Schools all over the world. Performance in national qualifications was described as ‘an important strength of the school’ by HM Inspectors in 2019 and staff have a relentless drive to nurture each individual. In its latest inspection report, Gordonstoun was described as ‘sector leading’.

The school’s location in the north of Scotland provides the background for Gordonstoun’s world beating outdoor education programme. Through expeditions and sail training voyages, students gain experience in leadership and team building. Their outlook is broadened, their ability to consider the needs of others developed, and they gain resilience – life skills which complement the school’s commitment to academic excellence. Active engagement in service to the local community comprises a core part of Gordonstoun’s curriculum for all year groups, but from Year 11 each student also commits to one of the school’s nine services. The Gordonstoun community is both balanced and internationally dynamic. With students aged from 4 ½ -18, the school is fully co-educational and students live and learn alongside fellow students from across the social, cultural and geographical board.

Gordonstoun also has its renowned Gordonstoun International Summer School (GISS), a three-week course in July which welcomes students from all over the world to spend time at school and also on the glorious West Coast of Scotland. With full use of the school’s comprehensive facilities students can enjoy a wide range of activities, choose a study subject and enjoy other classes which include Art, Design and Technology, Music and Sports. The programme includes an incredible week of outdoor adventure and sailing which is often a highlight, whilst making friends and having a lot of fun! Many young people who attend our Summer School go on to join Gordonstoun. GISS welcomes students aged 8-16 from 35 countries. For more information on GISS please see www.giss.org.uk or speak to Director Claire MacGillivray or Sabine Richards, who are attending BESSA, about either GISS or Gordonstoun.

School Motto: Plus Est En Vous (there is more in you)

Famous Alumni:

• Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles III
• Olympian Heather Stanning
• Author William Boyd
• Lord Rothermere, owner of The Daily Mail
• Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie
• The fictional character Lara Croft

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Lisa Kerr, Principal
Address: Gordonstoun, Elgin, Moray, Scotland IV30 5RF
Telephone of admissions: +44 (0)1343 832829; Mrs Sabine Richards
Website: www.gordonstoun.org.uk
Email: admissions@gordonstoun.org.uk
Religion: Christian but welcome all faiths
Number of students: 577 | 315 Boys, 262 Girls; 167 Day; Weekly Boarding 9; Full Boarding 401
Age range: 4.5 to 18 years (boarding from 8)
Fee range per annum: Junior – Day £6,100; Weekly Boarding £9,850; | Senior – Day £10,300 to £11,300; Boarding £14,550 to £15,550
Residential info (boarding/day/flexi) – Boarding and day in Junior and Senior schools; Flexi-boarding also available in Junior School only

Location

Keystone Tutors was founded in 2007 and has established itself as a leading provider of one-to-one tuition and guidance to students who are looking to join top UK schools, universities or follow the UK curriculum. Keystone has offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore, advising on all aspects of school and university entrance and their London-based tutors are able to provide bespoke one-to-one support to students around the world via an interactive online learning platform.

Keystone’s professional group of tutors have an outstanding track record of delivering rigorous academic support and work with pupils ahead of competitive entrance tests for top UK schools at 11+, 13+ and 16+. They can also help with UK curriculum exams (including GCSEs, A-Levels, IB and Pre-U) for a wide range of subjects as well as Oxbridge preparation. Keystone aims to match students with the most suitable tutor for them and takes great care to make the process as easy as possible, their client managers are always at the end of the phone and happy to help.

Facts & Figures

Website: www.keystonetutors.com
Email address: enquiries@keystonetutors.com

Singapore Office: +65 6817 4975
Singapore Address: One George Street, #10-01, Singapore 049145

London Office: +44 (0) 207 602 5310
London Address: 5 Blythe Mews, London W14 0HW

Hong Kong Office: +852 5808 9725
Hong Kong Address: 5/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty

Malvern College pupils are bright and enthusiastic all-rounders and we very much welcome pupils with spirit, energy and a sense of purpose.   We are a co-educational boarding school for pupils aged 13-18 and 76% of our 650 pupils full board.  This makes us extremely popular with expatriate and overseas families for whom a full programme of weekend activities is important.  The pupils eat in their houses and this fosters a welcoming family atmosphere.  The College is noted for its warmth and friendliness.

We seek to maintain the most important traditions, but are innovative and forward looking.  Pupils of all abilities flourish academically and our ‘value added’ makes us of one the leading independent schools in the country.  In the Sixth Form, pupils have the option to choose A Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB), with 50% of pupils choosing each course of study.  A comprehensive co-curricular timetable encourages the development of the all-rounder. This is a school that produces strong, well rounded pupils who exhibit confidence, integrity and consideration for others.

We benefit from beautiful rural and safe surroundings on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills and yet we are only 1 hour South of Birmingham airport.  The small town of Great Malvern is a 10 minute walk so close enough for amenities (including a direct rail link to London), but far enough away not to be a distraction. We also provide a coach service to London Heathrow and London Paddington.

Facts and Figures

Location

Radley College is a full boarding school for boys based in Oxfordshire. We work hard to create a community where boys will be happy, grow in self-confidence, thrive academically, and make the most of the many opportunities on offer. We pride ourselves in the pursuit of excellence both inside the classroom and out, and on encouraging boys to develop their talents and discover new interests.

In 2021, A Level results were 85% A*or A and at IGCSE Level, 93% were graded 9 to 7.  94% of our Sixth Form candidates went on to Russell group Universities and 6% to international universities, particularly in the US.

A Radley education is about independent thought and learning with enthusiasm. It is about academic ambition and learning to live with others. It is about preparation for the world beyond our gates. Above all, it is about the core values that will underpin success in all its forms throughout a Radleian’s life: as leaders and as human beings. Every boy is known as an individual and the daily evening Chapel and house cocoa sessions promote the sense of family that is so special to Radley.

We are fortunate to do all this in a stunning rural campus inspired by the nearby city – and university – of Oxford. Boys make the most of the outstanding facilities available to them be that our Art and Design Engineering rooms or Strength and Conditioning Centre or indoor rowing tank.

We celebrate our diversity as a school and educate boys from 38 different countries. Radley  is ideally located within an hour’s drive from Heathrow Airport and an hour and a half from London.

Facts & Figures

Head: John Moule (since 2014)
Address: Radley College, Kennington Road, Abingdon OX14 2JW, United Kingdom
Admission telephone: +44 (0)1235 543 174
Website: www.radley.org.uk
Email: admissions@radley.org.uk
Religion: Church of England, but all faiths welcome
Numbers of students: 763 Boys; All full boarding. No weekly/flexi boarding.
Age range: 13 to 18 years old
Fee range: £14,850 per term- full boarding

Famous Alumni:

• Sir Andrew Motion (former poet laureate)
• Sir Andrew Strauss (England cricket captain)
• Desmond Llwelyn (actor)
• Peter Cook (satirist and comedian)
• Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi
• Simon Wolfson (CEO of Next)

Location

Rugby School pupils flourish in a supportive community, both spiritually and socially aware, that challenges learners, develops resilience and encourages intellectual risk-taking. We teach tolerance and respect with as much dedication as academic subjects, because at Rugby, the whole person is the whole point. Much copied but never bettered, Rugby initiated the ‘House’ system 200 years ago resulting in a genuine and uncompromised care plan which supports every single student. Girls and boys enjoy a proper ‘home from home’ experience here.

As one of the top academic schools in Britain, teaching and learning is at the core of what we do. Pupils at Rugby have the benefit of fantastic educational facilities and highly qualified staff. They learn what is needed to prepare fully for public examinations but, more than that, they develop a love of learning which stays with them long after they have left the School. We set high expectations of pupils not only in terms of their work ethic but also in terms of their intellectual ambition. Pupils aim high and our record of university success is proof of this.

Rugby boasts one of the most vibrant school alumni networks in the UK with the Rugbeian Society organising more than 50 events each year and actively supporting Rugbeians past and present through initiatives such as the Rugbeian Business Network which works with the School’s Careers Department to assist in identifying jobs and work placements.

Famous alumni are authors, poets, actors, playwrights including: Lewis Carroll, Rupert Brooke, Neville Chamberlain, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Hardy, Will Butler-Adams, Isabel Wolff and Polly Stenham. Not forgetting William Webb Ellis, inventor of the game of rugby football.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Gareth Parker-Jones
Address: 1 Barby Road, Rugby CV22 5DW
Admissions Office: 1 Barby Road, Rugby CV22 5DW
Email: admissions@rugbyschool.net
Telephone: (+44) 1788 556274
Website: www.rugbyschool.co.uk
Number of pupils:  650 boarders, 200 day students.  No flexi boarding.  460 boys and 390 girls (from Year 9 (13+) to Year 13)
Fees: https://www.rugbyschool.co.uk/admissions/fees/

Location

Sedbergh School and Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School

Sedbergh School, Station Road, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG

Tel: +44 (0) 15396 20535

Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School, Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2SG

Tel: +44 (0) 15242 79200
Type of School: Co-educational, independent
Religion: Anglican. All faiths welcome.
Age range: 13-18 years (Prep: 4-13 years)
Number of pupils : 453 Boys, 320 Girls (Prep: 200)
Number of boarders: 620 (Prep: 70)
International pupils: 115 (Prep: 15)
Teacher:pupil ratio: 1:8
Annual boarding fees: £21,000 to £32,625 per annum

Sedbergh School

Established in 1525, Sedbergh is one of the few remaining full boarding schools in the UK and 98% of pupils board in one of our 9 Boarding Houses (3 girls’ 6 boys’). Pupils benefit from exceptional pastoral care and the opportunity for everyone to achieve their potential whether their talents are academic, sporting or artistic. Each pupil has a dedicated tutor who is responsible for their academic and pastoral development. Highly unusually these days, Sedbergh retains the traditional in-house dining providing a family-style atmosphere.

At weekends, because there are no flexi or weekly boarders and no fixed exeats, virtually all pupils are on campus. Pupils keep just as busy as during the week with Saturday morning lessons, sport, drama, music, debates, and everyone participates in one of the various social events on Saturday evenings.

Located in the stunning and very safe surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Sedbergh School provides plenty of opportunities for extra-curricular activities and adventure. Sedbergh is widely recognised as one of the leading sport schools in the UK  and offers 35 sports including sailing, rugby, tennis, hockey, cricket, netball, athletics, cross country, fives, football, squash, swimming, mountain biking, horse riding, fell walking and climbing. The Wilson Run is a much-anticipated annual event with an illustrious history that has been raced over almost the same route since its beginnings in 1881.

Music is also a very important part of life at Sedbergh and the School has three orchestras, five choirs, a swing band, brass band, and numerous ensembles. Many Sedbergh pupils are represented in national orchestras and choirs. Theatre productions are also held regularly throughout the year and every year each House performs an Entertainment programme for the School community.

In addition to providing an outstanding academic education, Sedbergh also prepares its pupils for life. Good manners and respect are enforced during the ‘family style’ meal times and throughout the School day, and the co-educational and multi-national mix of pupils contributes an important social dimension to all pupils’ education, providing the opportunity for pupils to learn and practise rules of etiquette, obtain social graces and develop a natural, pleasant confidence in a variety of social settings. Community service, charity work and fundraising are also recognised as important parts of the School’s extra-curricular activities.

Sedbergh offers A Levels, i-GCSEs and GCSEs in an extensive range of disciplines. With nearly 100% pass rates at A Level, i-GCSE and GCSE each year, Sedbergh pupils are expected to enter leading British and international Universities. Academic results over the last few years are available at http://www.sedberghschool.org/senior/Explore-Sedbergh/Academics/Academic-Results

Casterton Sedbergh Preparatory School:

There is no rush to grow up here. Foundations are laid for nurturing the resilience our children need as young adults and the tenacity essential for achieving high standards. Our around the clock personal care, breadth of opportunity and depth of involvement is what sets us apart. Above all, we nurture a sense of success in each and every one of our pupils.

We are excited by the curiosity and thirst for learning that each child, regardless of their academic ability, naturally displays. We work hard to allow each child the time to question and develop their thoughts independently, leading to fresh discoveries in an innovative learning environment.

Learning both inside and outside the classroom is essential to a child’s education. The setting of the Prep School offers an inspiring backdrop for budding young artists, and an extended classroom to give vivid life to subjects such as Geography, Geology and Natural History. All pupils are encouraged to express themselves musically and achieve a high standard of musicianship, whatever their ability. Music is accessible to all, yet there is also expert provision, tuition and extension work for those who are musically talented and exceptionally gifted

In addition to more than 20 sports, pupils have immediate access to numerous outdoor pursuits, including sailing, fell walking, climbing, horse riding and ghyll scrambling. They also help care for our school chickens, goats and rabbits in the School farm and our Secret Garden where boys and girls consult with the School Chef about growing vegetables and herbs.

We also host academic societies, poetry readings and debating competitions as well as English Speaking Board examinations to further expand pupils’ curiosity and confidence. The recently introduced ballet and jazz dance lessons are very popular, as are clubs for those interested in chess, archaeology and conservation.

Facilities include a new Design and Manufacturing Department, an Equestrian Centre, 7 Science specific laboratories, flood lit astro and tennis courts, a theatre, a heated pool, and an iMAC and iPad suite.

General Information
Applications: Applications are welcome all year round however application at least one year before the intended date of entry is strongly recommended to avoid any disappointment. Current School reports and a Personal Statement are invited in the first instance, followed by our own entry papers in Maths and English/EAL. Visits are most welcome at any stage of the process and can be arranged on most days during term time.

English as an Additional Language: available at additional charge. Usually held in small groups, the number of lessons is tailored to suit each individual.

Closest airport: Manchester (90 minute drive). The School arranges airport transfers for school holidays and half terms.

Guardian: required

Sedbergh International Summer School

Sedbergh School runs its very own international summer school throughout July and August.  This exclusive course is designed for boys and girls aged 8-12 (Juniors) and 13-16 (Seniors).  For English lessons, students are divided into Junior and Senior classes, which ensures that they receive the correct level of English tuition for their age and ability.  In keeping with the ‘boarding school taster’ experience and our wish to develop independence, teamwork and leadership skills in our students, all meals, lessons and activities are taken together.  Sports, excursions and evening entertainment are also combined, allowing students to spend time with new friends.

Students live in single-sex boarding houses under the care of an experienced Houseparent who acts in loco parentis and is responsible for the development and welfare of each student.  All International Summer School staff are employed directly by Sedbergh School which helps students to settle quickly and to help them achieve their full potential during their stay.

The course is small and friendly, and the village location offers a stunning and very safe location for an exciting summer.  Each day is structured to give a true taste of boarding school life.  With 22 hours of English lessons each week and student numbers restricted to 20% of any one language, opportunities are maximised to improve English language skills very quickly.  Class sizes are small and a variety of teaching styles is used, including group language activities to ensure that students are engaged and learning effectively.

All students experience history first-hand during excursions to some of Europe’s oldest cultural centres and enjoy thrilling outdoor activities in beautiful British countryside.  Through practical projects, educational trips and an exciting range of extra-curricular activities, students gain valuable skills, make lifelong friends and take away unforgettable memories.

Further information can be found at: http://iss.sedberghschool.org/

Location

Sevenoaks (founded in 1432) is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 11 to 18. Half an hour from Central London and Gatwick International Airport, our superb 100-acre campus is set in the Kent countryside. Boarding is an important part of the school’s ethos and students of 70 different nationalities contribute to an atmosphere that is globally engaged, tolerant and open-minded.

Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the IB for 44 years. For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Formers have taken the full IB Diploma. It has twice received the distinction of being named The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year, and the UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks the rare accolade of ‘Exceptional’ for its pupils’ achievement.

In 2022, our average Diploma score was 40.1 points, about eight points above the world average, and consistent with previous years. We proudly publish our university destinations with 98 per cent of our students progressing to their firm-choice university. The majority go to Oxbridge, London universities or other top universities in the UK, like Bristol or Durham. Given our global perspective, 20% of our students go to universities in another country, specifically Ivy league and top universities in the United States.

Sevenoaks delivers a broad, balanced programme of study. Strengthened by wise pastoral care, Sevenoaks students work hard to satisfy their natural curiosity and extend themselves far above and beyond the core curriculum. Students have access to world class-facilities for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme.

Recent campus developments include a new boarding house for boys, a state-of-the art science and technology centre uniting the four core fields of science, and an innovative new Sixth Form centre. With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly and busy. A new girls’ boarding house is currently being built and will open in September 2023.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Mr Jesse Elzinga
Address: High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HU
Telephone of admissions: +44 1732 455133
Website: www.sevenoaksschool.org
Email: 16+ entry – regist6@sevenoaksschool.org; 11+ and 13+ entry – regist@sevenoaksschool.org
Religion: Non-denominational with all faiths welcome
Number of students: Total 1184; 624 boys and 560 girls; 791 day and 393 boarding
Age range: 11 to 18 years (boarding from age 13)
Fee range: Day pupils – to £8,907 per term; Boarding pupils – to £14,307 per term
Famous alumni:  Sir Jonathan Bate, Olivia Cole, Charlie Higson

Location

Shrewsbury School is a co-educational boarding school with approximately 800 pupils aged 13-18, founded in 1552 and set in the heart of England.  We are fortunate to have one of the best locations of any school in the country, a beautiful campus-style site on the edge of one of the most historic county towns in England.  We are committed to strong academic standards and the highest level of pastoral care, and we believe in a vision of holistic education, as demonstrated through a diverse range of activities, sports and societies.

Our 2019 leavers achieved another excellent year for A Level results with 87% of the exams awarded the top A*, A or B grades.  At GCSE level, 53% of results achieved the top A* grade (or Grade 9/8).  As Charles Darwin’s former school, we are proud that mathematics and the sciences form our largest sixth form subjects.  In the past five years, the school has opened a new 19-classroom humanities teaching block, a new design and computing centre, a fully refurbished school library, and an extension of the school’s theatre.

Nearly all leavers go on to university, with large numbers going to the top universities in the UK.  There is a highly qualified, dedicated team to advise pupils on universities and careers, and the school stages a regular series of conferences showcasing UK, US, and European universities.

For each pupil, the boarding house is their “centre of gravity”.  We have 13 houses, of which 7 are for boarding boys, 2 for dayboys, and 4 for girls.  Each house is overseen by a resident Housemaster or Housemistress who is a full member of the teaching staff.  Every pupil has a tutor who oversees their progress, and the houses provide pupils with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities and competitions, from sports and debating to the house music competition and house plays.

We want all our pupils, whatever their ability, to enjoy their life beyond the classroom, and Shrewsbury has a well-earned reputation for musical and sporting excellence.  Every year, musicians perform across the UK, with concerts this year in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Oxford and Cambridge.  Every two years for the past 20 years, the school has staged a musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is accustomed to gaining five-star reviews.

We compete internationally in cricket and rowing, and we are one of the strongest schools in the country for football, cross-country running and fives; facilities and coaching for these and a host of other sports including basketball, badminton, swimming, tennis, fencing, lacrosse, hockey, rugby, and netball are excellent.

We also offer our pupils an extraordinary array of clubs, societies and other extra-curricular activities, many of which take place on a dedicated weekly activity afternoon.  Shrewsbury is surrounded by glorious unspoilt countryside and the School makes the most of its easy access to the Shropshire Hills, the Welsh Marches and Snowdonia.

Above all, in the words of the motto of our youth club, based in inner-city Liverpool, ‘People matter more than things’.  You will find at Shrewsbury a community which is aiming for the stars in every respect.

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Leo Winkley
Address: Shrewsbury School, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, SY3 7BA
Telephone: +44 (0)1743 280 552
Website: www.shrewsbury.org.uk
Email: admissions@shrewsbury.org.uk
Residential: 80% Full Boarding and 20% Day
Religion: Church of England, though all faiths are welcome
Number of Students: Total 810; 530 boys and 280 girls
Age Range: 13-18 years; Entry at Year 9 (13+), Year 10 (14+) and Year 12 (16+)
Fee Range: Years 9 to 11 – £14,135 per term, Sixth Form – £14.635 per term

Location

Founded in 1863, St Edward’s, Oxford is a thriving co-educational boarding school offering the unusual combination of a spacious 100-acre site at the heart of an academically and culturally stimulating city. Being in Oxford offers pupils unparalleled opportunities to benefit from the rich academic life of the University. The deliberate emphasis on a broad range of academic abilities on entry means that the community fizzes with diverse interests and enthusiasms. At the upper end, 90% of the top pupils gain the highest grades in their Sixth Form exams and take up places at the world’s best universities – a record which exceeds the outcomes of many highly selective schools.

St Edward’s, affectionately known as Teddies, has just over 700 pupils who are expected to work with energy and purpose, taking full advantage of their opportunities. Pupils live in 13 houses, 5 for boys, 5 for girls and 3 that are co-educational, with a girl/boy split of 40%/60% and 18% from overseas.  About 83% of pupils are boarders which means that the community bustles with life and activities in the evenings and at weekends as well as during the working day. The Houses are run by caring and experienced Housemasters and Housemistresses (known as HMs) supported by an AHM and Resident Tutor and a Day Matron, ensuring that every child is happy whilst learning at first-hand what it means to share, empathise and get on with others. The School also has an excellent reputation for its pastoral care system for which the Deputy Head Pastoral is responsible. Tutors, our three Counsellors, and our Chaplain all have a part to play in pastoral support, whilst Sixth Formers are trained to offer a Peer Listening service, and a ‘speak up’ culture is also strongly encouraged.

Over the last five years, the academic life of St Edward’s has been transformed with modern approaches and new programmes. At the heart of the School’s academic ethos are several key principles: that anything is possible, and that all pupils can and must engage fully in their own learning, and the learning of their peers. Innovative teaching delivers energy and vitality to the classroom. Collaborative working is the lifeblood of the St Edward’s curriculum, opening pupils’ eyes to the fact that not everyone sees the world in the same way, and preparing our young people for higher education and the workplace beyond. Sixth Formers find themselves in the rare position of being able to choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a stimulating choice that enables our pupils to work to their strengths. St Edward’s is one of the few schools to have made a success of offering both A Levels and the IB alongside each other. Pupils do very well academically at St Edward’s, and a 10-year upward trend in results continued in 2021 with 94% of all IB grades secured at levels 7-5, and in A Levels, 61% of all grades were at A* or A, with 83% at A* to B. Four of our 2021 leavers secured places at the University of Oxford to study PPE, Music, Engineering and Medicine. At GCSE, 60% of results were graded 9 to 7.

The Ogston Music School, together with the North Wall Theatre and Arts Centre, complete a cultural quarter in north Oxford that are an enormous asset, not just for the School, but for the whole community. Teddies has an excellent reputation and tradition of success in the creative industries, stretching back to Lord Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Grahame, through to Emilia Clarke and Florence Pugh.

Advice and guidance on Careers and Higher Education at St Edward’s play an important role in the lives of pupils as they progress through the School. Pupils work with a team of four staff, who are always on hand, and have a dedicated and unique programme to help guide pupils through decisions that can have so significant a bearing on their lives. Fundamental to both Careers Education and to Higher Education at Teddies is the early engagement with pupils. Pupils will meet and begin working with the team early in their time at the School, beginning a process that continues right through to the Upper Sixth and beyond.  The majority of St Edward’s pupils go on to study at some of the most prestigious institutions, both in the UK and overseas, with some 80% of leavers attending Russell Group or equally prestigious institutions including Oxbridge and the Ivy League.

With facilities that are second to none, strong results and a burgeoning reputation for academic achievement, a world leading university on its doorstep, and a Head who is determined to strive even higher, this School offers a rare opportunity.

Facts & Figures

Headmaster: Alastair Chirnside (since September 2021)
Address: St Edward’s School, Woodstock Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 7NN
Website: stedwardsoxford.org
Admissions Telephone: +44(0) 1865 319200
Email: registrar@stedwardsoxford.org
Residential information: Full Boarders (642); Day (120)
Religion: Church of England, but all faiths are welcome
Numbers: 60% boys, 40% girls; 83% are full boarders; 18% overseas pupils from over 40 countries
Age range: 13 to 18 years old
Fees: Boarding £14,433; Day £11,550

Location

Compassion, integrity, and a quiet sense of self-confidence

St Swithun’s School is a renowned independent day, weekly and full-boarding school for girls set in 45 acres overlooking the Hampshire Downs on the outskirts of Winchester, yet only 50 minutes by train from central London. It offers excellent teaching, sporting and recreational facilities.

The school has a long-standing reputation for academic rigour and success. Girls are prepared for public examinations and higher education in a stimulating environment in which they develop intellectual curiosity, independence of mind and the ability to take responsibility for their own learning. They achieve almost one grade higher at GCSE than their already significant baseline ability would suggest, and approximately half a grade higher at A level. St Swithun’s offers a comprehensive careers and higher education support service throughout the school years. Its Oxbridge preparation is part of a whole-school academic enrichment programme providing additional challenge and stimulation.

St Swithun’s describes itself as an ‘appropriately academic’ school, celebrating intellectual curiosity and the life of the mind, but not to the exclusion of all else. They expect their pupils to develop individual passions and through them to acquire a range of skills and characteristics. These characteristics will include a willingness to take risks, to question and to debate, and to persevere in the face of difficulty.

Whilst achieving academic excellence, girls also have the opportunity to do ‘something else’. There is an extensive co-curricular programme of over 100 weekly and 50 weekend activities to choose from.

As well as academic classrooms and science laboratories, there is a magnificent performing arts centre with a 600-seat auditorium, a music school, an art and technology block, a sports hall and a full-size indoor swimming pool. There is an impressive library and ICT facility and a dedicated study centre for students preparing university applications, especially to Oxbridge. The grounds are spacious and encompass sports fields, tennis courts and gardens.

With kindness and tolerance at the heart of its community, St Swithun’s provides a civilised and caring environment in which all girls are valued for their individual gifts. By the time a girl leaves she will be courageous, compassionate, committed and self-confident with a love of learning, a moral compass and a sense of humour.

For more information, please contact Kate Cairns on registrar@stswithuns.com. Keep up to date with latest news by visiting www.stswithuns.com or on Twitter @StSwithunsGirls

(Founded 1884)

Facts & Figures

Name of Head: Jane Gandee
Address: Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HA
Admission telephone: +441962 835700
Website: www.stswithuns.com
Email: registrar@stswithuns.com
Religion: Anglican, but all faiths welcome
Numbers of students: 522 students [301 Day, 130 Full Boarding, 91 Weekly Boarding]; 103 girls are international (day and boarding)
Age range: 11 to 18 years
Fee range: Full boarding fees £12,780 per term

Location

A world leader in girls’ boarding education and a place where academic excellence, empathy and integrity thrive.

Ranked as the UK’s top boarding school (Sunday Times, Parent Power), Wycombe Abbey is a world-class establishment which strives to provide high academic achievement with a holistic and rewarding educational experience. Results are consistently impressive: 95% A*-B and 80% A*-A at A level and 97.5% A*-A at GCSE in 2018/19.  Our leavers go on to study subjects as diverse as Architecture, Aeronautics, Neuroscience  and Linguistics at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, while Medicine, Law and Science/Engineering courses remain among the most popular. An increasing number of girls are gaining places at the best liberal arts colleges and Ivy League universities in the US, such as Harvard, Yale, Duke, Brown, Stanford, Columbia, MIT and Pomona, amongst others. Curiosity, innovation and academic risk-taking are encouraged and every pupil is given the opportunity to develop her passions.

Our diverse co-curricular programme aims to imbue in every girl the skills required to succeed, including creativity, emotional intelligence, teamwork and leadership. The girls enjoy outstanding facilities.  There is a rich and varied programme of activities throughout the week, including music, drama, dance and outdoor education as well as an extensive range of other pursuits, such as Model United Nations, solar-powered motorsport racing and even bee-keeping. These opportunities help girls to develop the confidence and skills they will require to be successful and happy in the demanding and ever-expanding global workplace, preparing them to be successful leaders – of themselves and others.

Wycombe Abbey offers a modern approach to boarding in the wonderful surroundings of 170 acres of parkland with quick and easy access to London and its international airports. Over the next decade, we are investing in new facilities that will transform our magnificent grounds for the benefit of every pupil at Wycombe Abbey.

The next ten years will see the renewal of all our boarding accommodation, the refurbishment of the main Abbey Building and a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) centre. This process began with the building of two superb new boarding houses which opened in September 2017.

At the heart of the School’s success is a total commitment to the development of good, caring human beings through proactive and personalised pastoral care.  Everyone at Wycombe Abbey is part of a happy and close-knit full boarding community where each girl can grow as an individual and form deep and lasting friendships.

Facts & Figures

Address: Abbey Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1PE

Head: Mrs Jo Duncan MA, PGCE

Admissions: Mrs Sophie Langdale

Contact: +441494 897008; registrar@wycombeabbey.com

Website: www.wycombeabbey.com

Student Body: 637 girls aged 11-18. Boarding 572, Day 65

Entry points: 11+; 13+ and 16+

Fees: boarding £40,350 per annum; day £30,270 per annum

Location: 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport by car; 25 minutes by train from Marylebone, London

Location