Best 10 Boarding Schools in England

Boarding Schools in England

Enrolling your child/ward in a Boarding school allows them to acquire some essential life skills and high-quality access to education, a combination that enables them to grow into confident, disciplined, and independent learners fully prepared to take their place in the world.

Furthermore, it aids them in cultivating a full social life by giving them the chance to meet with diverse students from whom they will learn one thing or the other.

As numerous as a Boarding school’s advantages are, a parent is still faced with the problem of having to make a selection out of the sea of excellent Boarding schools available in England.

During this process, an indefinite number of concerns arise, and they need to be addressed. Such concerns might include school location or proximity, school history, school academic track record, school’s moral standards, security, etc.

To alleviate such worries, we advise you to immerse yourself in our list of the Best 10 Boarding Schools in England. Students who study in England attain credible qualifications that are highly regarded around the world, which makes every one of their learning institutions highly sought-after. Let’s proceed.

1. Bedford School

Commencing our list of Best 10 Boarding Schools in England is Bedford School, an independent Day and Boarding school for vibrant boys between 7 and 18.

It was founded in 1552 by Edward VI and is regarded as one of the top-performing public schools in the United Kingdom, with outstanding Boarding provisions.

Additional Details:

The excellent single-sex school has Church of England affiliations and is the oldest of four independent schools in Bedford run by the Harpur Trust. It operates a Preparatory School for children aged 7 to 13 and an Upper School for enthusiastic teenagers aged 13 to 18 in a warm and happy environment.

The school educates over a thousand students and has produced one Nobel Prize winner, five recipients of the Victoria Cross, twenty-four rugby internationals, and many more successful individuals.

It features several fascinating facilities, including a chapel, an observatory, a planetarium, a cricket ground, a huge recital hall with recording facilities, etc.

The school is located at De Parys Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, and it maintains six houses, including Ashburnham, Crescent, Bromham, Paulo Pontine, St Cuthbert’s, and St Peter’s.

It strives to maintain a nurturing and learning-friendly environment that makes the school feel like home for the Boarding students. It also offers them an array of extracurricular activities such as music, sport, drama, e.t.c.  

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01234 362216

Fax: 01234 362283

Email: admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk

Website: www.bedfordschool.org.uk 

Twitter: @BedfordSchool

Head Teacher: Mr James Hodgson

2. Stowe School

With exceptional Boarding provisions and a team of enthusiastic staff, the next name on this list is Stowe school, a fantastic Day and Boarding school located at Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH, England. Established in 1923, Stowe is regarded as the most prominent Boarding school in the world.

Additional Details

The independent school caters to the academic and emotional needs of young and promising boys and girls aged 13 to 18. It maintains 13 boarding houses, including eight boy houses, four girl houses, and one mixed Sixth Form house.

These houses are mostly named after members of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos family, and each one of them has a number or letter allocated to it.

For example, Bruce 1, Chandos 4, Grafton 7, Nunent N, etc. The school offers some beautiful facilities, including a golf course, 1000 acres of land, and outstanding Science and Music facilities. 

The prestigious learning institution aims to challenge the young ones academically, socially, and physically through a wide and engaging curriculum that entails captivating class lessons and stimulating activities.

Its team of highly motivated staff strives to provide the youngsters with all the support and resources that they could need to achieve overall success. Students are encouraged to aim high and never stop chasing their dreams. 

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01280 818205

Fax: 01280 818181

Email: admissions@stowe.co.uk

Website: www.stowe.co.uk/ 

Twitter: @stoweboarding

Head Teacher: Mr. Anthony Wallersteiner

Chair of Governors: Mr Simon Creedy-Smith

3. Wycliffe College

Located at Bath Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 2JQ, England, Wycliffe College is a terrific co-educational Day and Boarding school that operates a Nursery School for children aged from 2 to 4, a Preparatory School for youngsters aged from 4 to 13, and a Senior School for energetic teenagers aged from 13 to 18. It was established in 1882 by G. W. Sibly.

Additional Details:

The independent school is an inclusive learning community with rich diversity and an undying passion for academic excellence.

It has a religious affiliation with the Church of England, and its motto is “Bold and Loyal”. Students in the Senior school are separated into eight houses: Collingwood, Haywardsend, Ivy Grove, Haywardsfield, Ward’s, Robinson, Loosley Halls, and Lampeter.

Except for Collingwood House, a mixed house for day pupils, and Loosley, a mixed sixth form boarding house, every house in the senior school are single-gender boarding house.

The school is known as the first independent school in England to have earned recognition from the National Academy for Able Children in Education (NACE).

It was also rated an “Outstanding School” by Ofsted in 2010 and was recognized for the extraordinary support for the Boarding students in the school.

The school is a major competitor in the game of Squash and currently holds numerous squash titles. It seeks to raise independent thinkers and confident learners who will carry on the tradition of academic excellence that the school has upheld since its inception.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01453 820470

Email: prep@wycliffe.co.uk

Website: http://www.wycliffe.co.uk 

Twitter: @WycliffeCollege

Head Teacher (Senior): Mr Nick Gregory

Head Teacher (Preparatory): Helena Grant 

Chair of Governors: Brigadier (Rtd) Robin Bacon

4. Queen’s College

Established in 1843, Queen’s College is a superb Day and Boarding school for boys and girls aged from 0 to 11 (Preparatory school) and 11 to 18 (Senior school).

It operated four boarding houses and four-day houses and was initially founded as the Wesleyan Collegiate Institute. It is located at Trull Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4QS, England.

Boarding Schools in England

Additional Details:

The boarding houses at this wonderful independent co-educational indicate the welcoming, familiar community feel that permeates the whole school. Each of them features excellent facilities to give each student an incredible boarding experience.

The House Parents and assistants are fully dedicated to providing adequate academic and pastoral support for every student.

Boarding at this fine institution starts from Year 3 through to Year 13 and is divided into Year 3 to Year 8 for the young boarders, and Year 9 to Year 13 where the older boys live in School House, whilst the older girls are in Hutton House.

The school offers numerous extracurricular activities that ensure the physical and mental development of the young ones. It aims to nurture the whole child by focusing on other areas of their lives rather than just their academics.

It seeks to instil positive values such as honesty, discipline, perseverance, diligence, and compassion in the students to grow into well-adjusted young adults ready to thrive in the next phase of their lives. The school has an on-site medical facility that is always on standby for medical support. 

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01823 272 559

Email: contact@queenscollege.org.uk

Website: www.queenscollege.org.uk 

Twitter: @QueensCollegeW1

Head Teacher (Senior school): Julian Noad

Head Teacher (Prep school): Henry Matthews

5. Sevenoaks School

Halving our list of Best 10 Boarding Schools in England is a co-educational day and boarding school that provides an outstanding education for boys and for girls aged 11 to 18. It was established in 1432, and its motto “Service Deo regnare est” is Latin for “To serve God is to rule”.

It was founded by William Sevenoke and is a former member of the G20 Schools group.

Additional Details:

The public school caters to the academic needs of over one thousand students in a safe and learning-friendly environment where every child is valued and deeply cared for. It is a highly selective learning institution regarded as one of the top-performing schools in the United Kingdom.

Students sit for GCSEs and iGCSEs in Year 11 and, for some subjects, take the Sevenoaks School Certificate.

Every pupil in sixth-form studies the International Baccalaureate, a demanding 2-year course built to provide a wide and balanced education, recognized as a qualification for gaining entry into universities in the United Kingdom and beyond.

There is room to participate in co-curricular activities such as cricket, hockey, netball, cross-country, basketball, music, drama and art, etc. The school’s boarding provisions are top-notch as the institution strives relentlessly to maintain a home away from home feel.

Its boarding staff comprises competent members fully dedicated to creating and preserving a calm, serene and supportive setting where students feel loved and cherished. 

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 (0)1732 455133

Fax: +44 (0)1732 456143

Email: admin@sevenoaksschool.org

Website: http://www.sevenoaksschool.org/ 

Twitter: @SevenoaksSchool

Head Teacher: Jesse Elzinga

Chair of Governors: Ian Doherty

6. The King’s School

The King’s School is an independent day and boarding school committed to students’ success and overall well-being. It was established in 1425 and is a member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference and the Eton Group. It offers admission to able boys and girls aged from 13 to 18.

Additional Details:

The co-educational school is located at 25 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2ES, England and is maintained by the local authority of Kent County Council.

It educates over two thousand students in a warm and communicative setting where students are inspired to harness their full potential for success. According to Wikipedia, in 2019, 54% of pupils scored A*-A for their A-Levels examination, whereas 70% scored A*-A for their GCSEs.

The school operates 16 houses, 13 boardings and three days, most of which are named in recognition of previous headmasters or people relevant to the school’s history, except for School House, The Grange, and Carlyon.

The 13 houses are School House, The Grange, Walpole, Meister Omers, Marlowe, Galpin’s, Luxmoore, Linacre, Broughton, Tradescant, Mitchinson’s, Jervis, Harvey, Bailey, Carlyon, and Lady Kingsdown House.

These houses are managed by a team of enthusiastic boarding staff with extensive experience in nurturing boarding students. The school received a “Good” rating from Ofsted in 2011 and has consistently improved in all years.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 (0)1732 455133

Email: ask@international.kings-school.co.uk

Website: www.abingdon.org.uk 

Twitter: @KingsCanterbury

Head Teacher: Peter Roberts

Chaplain: Lindsay Collins

Chair of Governors: Robert Willis

7. Abingdon School

Another name worth mentioning on this amazing list is Abingdon, the twentieth oldest independent British school commemorated its 750th anniversary in 2006.

It is located at Park Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1DE, England, and its motto is “Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo”, which translates to “I will sing of the Lord’s mercy forever”.

Additional Details:

The independent Day and Boarding school is affiliated with the Church of England and is maintained by the local authority of Oxfordshire. Presently, it educates over a thousand students aged 11 to 18, of whom 135 are boarders.

The school is divided into ten houses shared between the Day students and Boarders. Students are taught with a rich and broad curriculum halved by a wide range of extracurricular activities.

It participates heavily in sports such as rowing, rugby union, cricket, etc. It is renowned for its exemplary track record of producing high-achieving students.

The school operates both weekly and full boarding, where students are provided with outstanding education and basic life skills that ensure they leave the school as successful boys and girls ready to take on the world.

It aims to provide them with all the resources, support, and confidence that they need to realize their full potential.

Students are always encouraged to aim high and go beyond what they believe they can achieve. The school admits students from all areas of life and teaches the children to love and respect one another.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01235 849041

Fax: 01235 849085

Email: admissions@abingdon.org.uk

Website: www.abingdon.org.uk/ 

Twitter: @abingdonschool

Head Teacher: Mr Michael Windsor

8. Badminton School

Badminton School is a leading single-sex Day and Boarding school that educates vibrant girls aged 3 to 18 in a safe and friendly environment. It was established in 1858 and was named after Badminton House in Clifton. It was ranked third in the Financial Times” top 1,000 schools in 2008. 

Additional Details:

The independent school is located at Westbury Road, Bristol, BS9 3BA, England. It serves the local community by nurturing brilliant and enthusiastic learners who will grow up to become well-rounded members of society.

It maintains small class sizes, which ensures a good student-teacher ratio. This enables individual attention and personalized teaching, which is responsible for the consistent outstanding academic achievement of the students.

The school’s team of dedicated staff works tirelessly to deliver exceptional education to both Day and Boarding students.

The school is regarded as one of the most distinguished boarding schools for girls in the United Kingdom. It focuses on academic excellence and strives ceaselessly to help each student find their abilities and nurture them.

It offers several co-curricular activities such as drama, art, music, and sport. The school believes in developing the whole child and therefore seeks to improve them academically, morally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

It features six boarding houses with outstanding provisions, including excellent facilities that make the boarders’ time at the school memorable.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 (0)117 905 5271

Email: admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk

Website: www.badmintonschool.co.uk 

Twitter: @BadmintonSchool

Head Teacher: Mrs. Rebecca Tear

9. Uppingham School

Founded by Archdeacon Robert Johnson in 1854, Uppingham is a prestigious Day and Boarding school that provides a seven-day-a-week boarding experience. It educates over 800 boys and girls aged 13 to 18 in a warm and welcoming environment located at Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9QE, England.

Additional Details:

The independent co-educational school operates 15 boarding houses, split into nine houses for boys and six houses for girls.

Boys’ houses include Brooklands, Fircroft, Highfield, School House, Lorne House, West Deyne, West Ban, Meadhurst, and Farleigh, while the Girls’ houses include Johnson’s, The Lodge, Fairfield, New House, Constables, and Samworths.

Teachers deliver first-class lectures using a rich and challenging curriculum designed to meet individual needs and ensure success for every student. The house is where students eat, sleep, work, and mingle, and each house is governed by a Housemaster or Housemistress who is assisted by a team of Tutors. 

The school strives to promote the success and well-being of the students by providing them with abundant support and resources required to achieve their dreams and goals. It seeks to maintain a happy and supportive atmosphere where students feel loved, cherished, and included.

It offers numerous enrichment activities meant to stimulate the students’ minds and broaden their scope of knowledge. Co-curricular activities at the school include drama, music, sport, creative arts, and more.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01572 822216

Fax: 01572 822332

Email: admissions@uppingham.co.uk

Website: www.uppingham.co.uk/ 

Twitter: @UppinhamSchool

Head Teacher: Dr Richard Maloney

10. Brighton College

At the bottom of our helpful list of Best 10 Boarding Schools in England is Brighton College, an English independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18. It is located at Eastern Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 0AL, England, and the local authority of Brighton and Hove.

Additional Details

This exceptional school was founded in 1845 by William Aldwin Soames. It operates across three campus sites: Brighton College (ages 11 to 18), Brighton College Preparatory School (ages 8 to 13), and the Pre-Prep School (ages 3 to 8).

In 2019, it was nominated England’s Independent School of the Year by The Sunday Times. It has received an impressive number of awards over the years, which is one of the many reasons why the school is ranked very high.

The school maintains 14 houses divided by gender, and the boarding houses have a matron and team of housekeeping staff. 

The school offers an extensive range of co-curricular activities, including drama, music, dance, and art. It also encourages students to participate in sporting activities such as athletics, cricket, netball, and rugby.

Its team of competent teaching staff is constantly lecturing the children and guiding them with personal life experiences to make informed decisions. The school places the pupils’ interests at the heart of all its activities and strives ceaselessly to keep them safe.   

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01273 704200

Fax: 01273 704204

Email: registrar@brightoncollege.net

Website: www.brightoncollege.org.uk 

Twitter: @BrightonCollege

Head Teacher: Richard Cairns

That concludes our relevant list of Best 10 Boarding Schools in England; we hope we have been able to make the decision process easier. 

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