Poshest Schools in the UK | Top 10 Best

Poshest Schools in the UK

High-quality education can be incredibly expensive, especially in certain prestigious schools with the right resources and manpower to provide it.

Most of these luxurious schools are famous Boarding schools with outstanding facilities and top-notch residential provisions that help students settle in quickly and enjoy a remarkable educational experience.

Some of these schools are highly selective and are often, more than not, single-sex institutions. Most times, securing a place for your child in an excellent Boarding institution is a matter of cost due to the numerous provisions that it offers students.

A percentage of these learning institutions offer admission to Day students and charge them less than the Boarders.

The tuition fees demanded often cover the cost of classes, accommodation, food, snacks, transportation, clubs, activities, campus health care, and many other services meant to ensure a smooth boarding life. 

Boarding schools offer parents and carers full boarding, weekly boarding, Flexi boarding, and occasional boarding. 

• Full boarding: For this type of boarding, students remain on campus seven days a week under the care and supervision of competent Houseparents and their pastoral teams. The school becomes a home away from home for them, and they are often allowed to go home for holidays and other important personal reasons.

• Weekly Boarding: Borders here get to enjoy the full benefits of a boarding institution but are allowed to go home on weekends. 

• Flexi Boarding: This is a good choice for students who intend to stay late for sports, drama, or music events or wish to participate in evening activities. Students get to choose which nights of the week they would like to board, but they must book such nights in advance at the start of each term.

• Occasional Boarding: This type of boarding allows students to board for a few nights without booking in advance. 

The boys-only boarding schools are usually more costly than the girls-only boarding schools. The list you are about to read mentions the Poshest Schools in the UK and the high tuition fees that they ask for. 

1. Hurtwood House School

First on our list of Poshest Schools in the UK is Hurtwood, a remarkable independent school with an excellent sixth form. It focuses on bringing the best out of every child, regardless of their race, age or culture.

Additional Details:

The mixed school is located at Hurtwood House, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NU, United Kingdom. It commits its resources to the education, support, and nurturing of over 300 boys and girls aged 15 to 19 in a calm and learning-friendly atmosphere.

It was established in 1970 by Richard Jackson and maintained by the local authority of Surrey County Council. It is consistently ranked one of the leading co-educational schools in the UK.

The non-denominational school offers an amazing boarding education that cares for the students in every way possible. About half of the students at the school come from overseas, and admission is often awarded based on their performance during the interview.

The school offers wide range of opportunities that greatly benefit international students. For tuition fees, Day students are expected to pay a sum of £10,113 (Ten thousand, one hundred and thirteen pounds) per term, while Boarding students pay £15,171 (Fifteen thousand, one hundred and seventy-one pounds).

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 1483 279000

Email: info@hurtwood.net

Website: www.hurtwoodhouse.com 

Twitter: @HurtwoodHouse

Head Teacher: Cosmo Jackson

2. Tonbridge School

Specializing in providing an all-around education that prepares students for the dynamic world of academics, Tonbridge is a busy and successful school with an unmatchable academic strength. It was founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judge.

Additional Details:

The independent school provides a student-centred education to approximately 800 boys aged 13 to 18.

It maintains 7 Boarding houses and 5 Day houses, namely, Judge House, School House, Park House, Hill House, Parkside, Ferox Hall, Manor House, Welldon House, Smythe House, Oakeshott House, Whitworth, and Cowdrey House.

The school has an experienced team of boarding staff dedicated to helping the students feel comfortable and fulfilled. It is located at Tonbridge School, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JP, United Kingdom.

The school is rated as one of the finest all-boys public schools in the United Kingdom. It maintains small class sizes so students can enjoy personalized attention and individualized teachings. This is done to ensure every all-around success.

The termly fee for Boarding students is £14,945 (Fourteen thousand, nine hundred and forty-five pounds) while Day students pay £11,212 (Eleven thousand, two hundred and twelve pounds). 

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 (0)1732 304297 

Fax: 01732 363424 

Email: admissions@tonbridge-school.org

Website: www.tonbridge-school.co.uk

Twitter: @TonbridgeUK

Head Teacher: James Priory

3. Malvern St James Girls’ School

Originally founded in 1893 by Miss Greenslade and Miss Poulton as Malvern Girls’ College, Malvern St James Girls’ School is an Independent Day and Boarding school educates young girls aged from 4 to 18. It was renamed in 2006, following an amalgamation with St James’s School in West Malvern.

Additional Details:

The single-sex school is located at Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3BA, England, United Kingdom. It is divided into three sections; a Prep Department for girls aged from 4 to 11, a Senior School for girls aged 11 to 16, and a Sixth Form for girls aged 16 to 18.

It offers full, weekly, and Flexi boarding and its boarding houses include Batsford, Benhams, Mount, Poulton, and Greenslade. Notable alumni include Jennifer Kirby (TV and stage actress), Iskra Lawrence (model and activist), Barbara Cartland (novelist), and so on.

The school offers scholarships in areas such as Art, Drama, Flexi-Boarding, Music, Riding, Sport, etc. It is dedicated to seeing every child leave the school as confident and independent learners who will flourish in the subsequent stages of their education.

The tuition fees for Boarding students per term range from £8,160 (Eight thousand, one hundred and sixty pounds) to £14,270 (Fourteen thousand, two hundred and seventy pounds), while Day students pay between a sum of £2,550 (Two thousand, five hundred and fifty pounds) and £6,580 (Six thousand, five hundred and eighty pounds).

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01684 892288

Fax: 01684 566204

Email: admissions@malvernstjames.co.uk

Website: www.malvernstjames.co.uk/ 

Twitter: @MalvernStJames

Head Teacher: Mrs. Olivera Raraty

4. Wycombe Abbey

Wycombe Abbey is an independent girls’ boarding and day school with a passion for shaping brilliant minds and nurturing personal development. It is located e at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE, England.

Additional Details:

The Church of England school was founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove, and its motto is “In fide vade”, which translates to “Go in faith”. It caters to the educational needs of over 600 girls aged from 11 to 18 and strives to provide adequate support and resources for everyone.

It maintains a loving and supportive environment where young and promising girls are equipped with extensive knowledge and basic life skills to prepare them for the unforeseeable future.

The mixed school asks for a yearly tuition fee of £41,250 (Forty-one thousand, two hundred and fifty pounds) from Borders and £30,945 (Thirty thousand, nine hundred and forty-five pounds) from Day students.

It aims to nurture creative thinkers, problem solvers, risk-takers, and curious learners by providing a fulfilling educational experience. It seeks to provide a well-balanced education that goes beyond the curriculum and improves the young ones socially, emotionally, and mentally. 

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01494 520381

Fax: 01494 473836

Email: admissions@wycombeabbey.com

Website: www.wycombeabbey.com 

Twitter: @wycombeabbey

Chairman of the council: Peter Warren

Headmistress: J. Duncan

5. Abingdon School

Located at Park Road Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1DE, England, and deserving a spot on our amazing list of Poshest Schools in the UK, Abingdon is a wonderful independent school that provides Day and Boarding education using a broad and balanced curriculum that ensures the academic success of every child.

Additional Details:

The all-boys school was established in 1120 by Benedictine monks and is regarded as the twentieth oldest independent British school.

It educates and nurtures enthusiastic boys aged 11 to 18 in a serene and happy setting where every child is valued as an individual and assisted in every way imaginable. Students are offered a wide range of extracurricular activities that helps to improve them emotionally, physically, and socially.

The school has a solid sports tradition, and it engages in sports such as rowing, rugby union, and cricket. It aspires to help parents realize the academic dreams of their precious ones.

Day students at this school are expected to pay a sum of £7,450 (Seven thousand, four hundred and fifty pounds) for tuition, while Full boarders are charged a sum of £15,200 (Fifteen thousand, two hundred pounds). The school’s staff team works tirelessly to help every child realize their full potential.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01235 849041

Fax:                

01235 849085

Email: admissions@abingdon.org.uk

Website: www.abingdon.org.uk

Twitter: @abingdonschool

Head Teacher:      

Michael Windsor

6. Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks School is a happy and successful learning centre that dates back as far as 1432, founded by William Sevenoaks. It educates over a thousand Day and boarding students aged 11 to 18. It made the switch from A-level exams to the International Baccalaureate in 2006.

Additional Details:

Located at High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HU, United Kingdom, Sevenoaks School is an English independent school regarded as the second oldest non-denominational school in the United Kingdom. It is a former member of the G20 Schools group.

The public school is one of the most expensive schools in the United Kingdom as its annual boarding fee is as high as £42,000 (Forty-two thousand pounds). Its excellent Boarding provisions make it a high-ranking school, and it continues to gather a lot of positive publicity.

The school offers a high-quality education using a rich and engaging curriculum that comprises classroom learning and a wide range of co-curricular activities.

It is a highly competitive learning institution that produces excellent learning candidates with outstanding academic results. Half of the school’s population comprises international students who represent numerous nationalities.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01732 455133

Fax: 01732 456143

Email: admin@sevenoaksschool.org

Website: www.sevenoaksschool.org 

Twitter: @SevenoaksSchool

Chairman of the Governors: Ian Doherty

Head Teacher: Jesse Elzinga

7. Roedean School

Equipped with vast academic facilities, a highly motivated team of staff, and a perfectly designed curriculum, Roedean is a distinguished learning haven where young and intelligent girls aged from 11 to 18 are provided with top-notch education and excellent care.

Additional Details:

The independent Day and Boarding school was established in 1885, and it has a Church of England affiliation.

Its wide range of outstanding facilities includes dance studios, music classrooms, a 320-seat theatre, a heated indoor swimming pool, a golf course, workshops, studios, laboratories, sports pitches, modern classrooms, etc.

It is a proud member of the Girls’ Schools Association and the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC). 

The school is located at Roedean Way, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5RQ, England, and maintains six boarding houses.

Admission into this wonderful school is usually based on several examinations, interviews, and reports from previous students’ schools.

Tuition fees at the school range from £5,990 (Five thousand, nine hundred and ninety pounds) to £7,830 (Seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty pounds) per term for Day students, while Full boarders pay between a range of £11,660 (Eleven thousand, six hundred and sixty pounds) and £14,045 (Fourteen thousand, forty-five pounds).

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 (0) 1273 667500

Email: info@roedean.co.uk

Website: www.roedean.co.uk 

Twitter: @RoedeanSchool

President of Trustees: Lady Patten of Barnes

Headmaster: Oliver Blond

8. Bradfield College

Officially known as St Andrew’s College, Bradfield, this prestigious learning institution is a proud public school located at Bradfield, Berkshire, RG7 6AU, England. It caters to the overall needs of vibrant boys and girls aged 13 to 18.

Additional Details:

The Church of England was founded in 1850 by Thomas Stevens (Rector and Lord of the Manor of Bradfield). It offers a phenomenal boarding experience that molds the young ones into well-rounded individuals with wonderful abilities and great aspirations.

It currently educates over 800 students in a warm and communicative environment where success is celebrated in many forms. It seeks to develop the children beyond their academics by offering them a vast array of enrichment opportunities.

The independent school operates 12 excellent boarding houses where every child is adequately cared for and nurtured as young adults capable of making informed decisions.

It requests a yearly tuition fee of £42,165 (Forty-two thousand, one hundred and sixty-five pounds), and Day students are charged a sum of £33,732 (Thirty-three thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two pounds). The school aims to prepare the young ones for life beyond the school.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 01189 644516

Fax: 01189 644511

Email: admissions@bradfieldcollege.org.uk

Website: www.bradfieldcollege.org.uk 

Twitter: @BradfieldCol

Headmaster: Christopher Stevens

Second Master: Andrew Logan

9. Westminster School

Renowned for its high national Oxbridge acceptance rate, Westminster is a fantastic independent school with a co-educational sixth form. It offers both Day and Boarding education in a safe and serene environment. It was founded in 1541 by Henry VIII and refounded in 1560 by Elizabeth I.

Additional Details:

Maintained by the local authority of the City of Westminster, the public school is located at Little Dean’s Yard, London, SW1P 3PF, England, and has a Church of England affiliation. It strives to ensure that every child receives a quality education that sets them up for a smooth and exciting academic journey.

It maintains 11 Boarding houses where it nurtures confident and self-sufficient students who will leave the school ready to make their mark on the world. 

The school charges Boarders a sum of £43,272 (Forty-three thousand, two hundred and seventy-two pounds) per year as tuition fees, while Day students pay between £29,961 (Twenty-nine thousand, nine hundred and sixty-one pounds) and £32,751 (Thirty-two thousand, seven hundred and fifty-one pounds).

In 2014/2015, Westminster ranked the 13th most expensive HMC day school and the 10th most expensive HMC boarding school in the United Kingdom.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: (860) 408 3000

Fax: (860) 408 3001

Email: enquiries@westminster.org.uk

Website: www.westminster.org.uk 

Twitter: @wschool

Chairman of Governors: John Hall (Dean of Westminster)

Head Master: Gary Savage

10. Cheltenham College

To round off our helpful list of 10 Poshest Schools in the UK, we’ll be looking at Cheltenham College, an independent public school established in July 1841. It currently educates over 600 students aged from 13 to 18.

Additional Details:

The wonderful learning institution provides outstanding education to Day and Boarding students in a happy and rewarding environment at Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7LD, England.

The Church of England school has 11 Boarding houses and aims to improve the students in every aspect of their lives. It seeks to inspire the children to aim high and properly use their abilities.

It strives to raise them as well-adjusted, independent, and fully-functional learners who will grow into upstanding community members.

The school’s boarding fees per term are £13,165 (Thirteen thousand, one hundred and sixty-five pounds) for Years 9, 10, & 11, and £13,520 (Thirteen thousand, five hundred and twenty pounds) for Years 12 & 13.

Day fees, on the other hand, are £9,875 (Nine thousand, eight hundred and seventy-five pounds) for Years 9, 10, & 11, and £10,230 (Ten thousand, two hundred and thirty pounds) for Years 12 & 13.

The school’s staff team teaches with a dynamic and challenging curriculum that entails all that the students need to know to be prepared for the next phase of their education.

Contact Information:

Phone Number: +44 20 7449 1221

Email: admissions@cheltenhamcollege.org

Website: cheltenhamcollege.org 

Twitter: @CheltCollege

President of the Council: W. J. Straker-Nesbit

Head Teacher: Nicola Huggett

It is advisable to conduct deeper research into the schools mentioned on our helpful list of Poshest Schools in the UK before choosing so that you don’t end up picking based on cost only.

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