Comparing 6 schools side by side in USD.
The school is located at Old London Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA. The campus sits on 26 acres of countryside in the Surrey Hills near Box Hill. Minibus routes with live tracking connect families to local towns and stations.
The school teaches ages 11–18 and is co-educational.
The school offers day and boarding education for girls and boys.
The school draws students from Surrey, across the UK and more than 30 countries worldwide.
The school has a Learning Support team providing additional literacy support in small groups and supports students with specific learning difficulties; an International Study Centre delivers English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes.
The United Kingdom.
The school provides a minibus service with pick-up and collection from local railway stations including Epsom, Raynes Park and Leatherhead.
Full boarding, weekly boarding and flexi boarding are offered. Full-boarders stay at the school during term time under House Parents with 24/7 care and access to facilities and co-curricular opportunities; during holidays they may return home, stay with guardians or join residential holiday programmes. Boarding is integrated with Senior School life, and boarders are housed in six main houses with dedicated House Parents.
Uniform is compulsory for Years 7–11 for both boys and girls. Boys wear a blazer, grey trousers, white shirt, tie, green jumper and a dark coat; girls wear a blazer, skirt or grey trousers, white blouse, green jumper and a dark coat; science/art overalls are required for labs; boarders receive two shirts and two skirts/trousers; Box Hill School branded items can be purchased from unismart online or at the on-site uniform shop. A sport and activities kit is also required; appearance standards cover tidy hair, limited jewellery, discreet makeup for older years, and clear name labeling of clothing.
Meals are provided by Holroyd Howe, with freshly prepared menus that rotate weekly and accommodate dietary needs. The menus promote healthy eating and sustainability. Food is sourced with care: UK meat; eggs from RSPCA Freedom Farm certified producers; Red Tractor milk; bakery produced on-site or by local bakers; no fish on the IUCN red list.
There are six main boarding houses, with each house having dedicated residential House Parents who support borders at all times. Pupils are placed into houses by age and gender, fostering community and cross-year interactions.
RGS Surrey Hills originated in 1959 as Box Hill School and joined the RGS Group of Schools in June 2025, becoming RGS Surrey Hills. The RGS Group of Schools includes Reigate Grammar School and other member schools; RGSSH is part of the RGS family and is a founding member of Round Square.
At RGS Surrey Hills, the academic curriculum treats every pupil as an individual, supported by personalised learning, regular assessment and monitoring. The breadth and balance of subjects is planned across lower and middle school, with courses designed to match aspirations, abilities and interests. Sixth Form provision offers continued choice and flexibility, with subject matter appropriate to ages and aptitudes and with differentiation to meet the needs of all students, including those with learning difficulties and those who are gifted and talented. The curriculum is structured to disperse learning across a two-week cycle, and the International Study Centre runs separate EAL programmes to prepare students for mainstream study where appropriate.
Small class sizes allow for personalised support.
GCSE Results 2025: 9–7 36%, 9–6 54%, 9–5 75%, Pass Rate 91%. A Level Results 2025: Pass Rate 91%, A-C 41%. International Baccalaureate Results 2025: Pass Rate 94%, Average Point Score 31.3.
Recent destinations include Russell Group universities such as Durham, King's College London and Warwick, with courses including Biomedical Sciences at Bristol, Business and Economics at Surrey, and Philosophy at Southampton; creative pathways include an Acting Foundation course and performing arts routes.
The curriculum differentiates to meet the needs of students who are gifted and talented.
Pastoral care underpins the wellbeing and social-emotional development of all students. Each pupil is assigned a personal tutor, and boarders have a Houseparent and Tutor to support academic and pastoral development. There is a clear emphasis on helping students maintain a positive mind-set and to develop resilience through wellbeing support and parent wellbeing talks. A broad co-curricular programme, including sport and creative arts, develops character, resilience and balance beyond the classroom. The Round Square framework places leadership, service and global understanding at the heart of school life, preparing students for life beyond exams.
The Learning Development Department supports neurodivergent and disabled pupils under the Neurodiversity (SEND) policy. The department includes a SENDCo, four Specialist Teachers, a Speech and Language Therapist and two Teaching Assistants. It uses 1:1 lessons and a multi-sensory approach with Pupil Profiles detailing each pupil's needs, strengths and required adjustments, reviewed termly. The SENDCo leads day-to-day operations and collaborates with Heads of Year and the Pastoral Team to monitor progress and provide timely support, including arranging Access Arrangements for examinations and reviewing EHCPs when applicable. Referrals, assessment and collaborations with parents and external professionals are coordinated to identify learning needs and plan appropriate intervention.
Progress of pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) is monitored by the Learning Development Department with input from teaching staff, parents and the pupils themselves. A lack of English proficiency is not treated as a learning difference. The department works with the Head of EAL and the IB Coordinator to identify neurodivergent EAL learners and ensure early support. In some cases a first-language assessment may be used to identify learning differences. Assessment results are shared with parents, and the SENDCo or a Specialist Teacher liaises with parents and staff to implement support.
The school places importance on the mental health and wellbeing of all students. A dedicated Pastoral Team provides support to help students maintain a positive mindset, and students are assigned a Tutor plus Houseparents in boarding to support academic and personal development. Wellbeing is reinforced through guidance and resources, with wellbeing talks provided for parents. The combination of pastoral care and a supportive learning environment aims to foster resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy includes Early Years Foundation Stage. The policy was reviewed in August 2025 and next due for review in August 2026. The school designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs; the Designated Safeguarding Lead for RGS Surrey Hills is Kate Cobb, with Deputy DSL Claire Ellis and other Deputy Leads such as Rachael Evans. Staff are provided with safeguarding contact details and guidance, including escalation procedures and relevant local safeguarding contacts. In case of concern about a child's safety, staff should act immediately and contact the DSL, following the policy and, if needed, the Surrey Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA) or emergency services by dialing 999. Contact information for safeguarding and key staff is published for school use.
Three formal entry points exist: Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Stage 1 is Visit Us, with Open Events and Private Visits to view the school, meet pupils, and speak with senior staff. Stage 2 is Make an Application: for Year 7 and Year 9, register online by the published deadline, pay a non-refundable registration fee of £150, provide a photograph of the applicant and copies of the applicant's full school report plus any medical and Educational Psychologist reports as appropriate; those registered by the timescales are guaranteed to be invited to the Year 7 and Year 9 Discovery Day, with invitations for assessments issued after the Autumn Term half term; applications after the deadline may be discussed with Admissions. There is no priority for early registrations and all candidates are considered on an equal basis at the point of assessment; a school reference is requested after registration. For Year 12, the process is similar but requires the student's predicted GCSE results and includes an interview; offers are based on the interview, current school reports and GCSE predictions. Stage 3 is the Assessment Process: Year 6 Explorer's Day and Year 8 Discovery Day lead to assessment for Year 7 entry (Maths and English written work plus interview), with separate scholarship assessment afternoons for Sport and Drama on 11 November and for Art and Music on 12 November; Year 12 applicants are invited to an interview at a mutually convenient time. General information: assessment considers entrance test results, interview, recent school reports, academic progress, and other strengths; all years 7–8 study one Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish); independence, attendance and positive engagement are expected. Other year groups may be considered where places are available.
Scholarships recognise and reward exceptional talent and achievements in academics, music, sports, art or drama. They are available to students entering Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 and are awarded based on the candidate's accomplishments in the chosen field, successful completion of entrance exams, and an interview with senior staff and the relevant department head. Scholars may be awarded both a bursary and a scholarship. Bursaries provide means-tested financial support.
If the year group's available places are exhausted, a Wait List may be offered.
Whitgift School is located at Haling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT. The campus is situated about 25 minutes from Central London by train and around 30 minutes by car from Gatwick Airport, with Founder's House positioned to serve local and international families seeking a cosmopolitan boarding experience. The Matron Team arranges airport transfers and travel for boarders as needed.
Whitgift is structured into Junior Years (Age 10-12), Middle Years (Age 13-15) and Sixth Form (Age 16+).
Independent day and boarding school for boys aged 10-18.
The approach to learning focuses on meeting the individual needs of each student.
United Kingdom
Sixth Form Day: 08:25 Ding Dong; 08:30 Registration; 08:35 Assembly/Form; 08:55 Period 1; 09:40 Period 2; 10:25-10:40 Break; 10:45 Period 3; 11:30 Period 4; 12:15 Period 5 (Second Form to Upper Sixth); 13:00-14:00 Lunch; 14:00 Ding Dong; 14:05 Registration; 14:15 Period 6; 15:00 Period 7; 15:45 Final Bell.
Whitgift operates an extensive School Bus service with routes to Leatherhead, Kingswood, Riverhead, Oxted, Woldingham, Warlingham, Kenley, Coulsdon, Epsom, Banstead, Wallington, Esher, Norbiton, Surbiton, Raynes Park, New Malden, Wimbledon & Southfields, Putney, Colliers Wood, Wandsworth, Clapham Common, Dulwich, Beckenham, Bickley, Bromley, West Wickham. Buses are booked via the Whitgift School Bus Tracker App (WSBT). Public transport connections include bus routes 60, 119, 166, 312, 403, 405, 407, 412, 455, 466, 468; rail access via South Croydon (10-minute walk) or East Croydon (a short train ride and 2-minute bus/15-minute bus ride); a courtesy shuttle operates to South Croydon Station.
Full and Weekly Boarding is available to UK and International students at 13+, 14+, and 16+. Founder's House is the boarding home opened in 2013, housing over 100 boarders with individual bathrooms and a common room; boarders can access school facilities after the day and on weekends. Boarders are allocated to a Tutor and assigned to a vertical Family system led by a House Prefect, with fortnightly one-to-one meetings to support their progress across Years 9–13.
Uniform is compulsory and includes a blazer, four shirts, a tie, a games shirt and shorts, a PE top and shorts, a mid layer, track pants, and swimming jammers; charcoal trousers are specified as the formal trouser. The jumper and coat are not compulsory but may be worn if approved. Dress and appearance rules include neat hair, clean shoes, shirts tucked in, and other specific requirements as detailed in the school regulations.
Junior Years lunch is compulsory and offers a hot main, a vegetarian or Halal option, jacket potato or pasta with salad and bread for a fixed price of £5.25. The school provides a dining experience in the canteen, with a sample menu and weekly variations for Lent Term; the catering team also accommodates dietary requirements and allergens, offering options including vegan and vegetarian choices with multiple daily offerings.
Founder's House, opened in 2013, houses over 100 boarders and includes facilities such as a common room and reception; bedrooms are two or three per room with ensuite bathrooms. The House is supported by a Welfare/House Team, and the daily routine is supported by a Family system in which boarders are grouped into multi-year Families led by tutors; Families promote mentorship and leadership opportunities across Year 9–13.
The school is part of the John Whitgift Foundation, a registered charity; Whitgift School is governed and owned as part of the Foundation.
Whitgift has a cross-curricular programme of skills development across the School including PE and Games, Global Citizenship and Ideatum (Personal, Social, Health, Emotional and Economic education). A Curriculum Guide 2024 and a Sixth Form Guide are published. The curriculum is delivered across Junior Years, Middle Years and Sixth Form and is complemented by international trips, lunchtime and after-school clubs and societies to extend learning beyond the classroom.
A Level results for 2024/25: 89% of grades were A to B; 27% were A. 15 students achieved A in all entries and 65 attained all A/A grades. International Baccalaureate results for 2025 averaged 39 points (out of 45), with half scoring 40+ and 5 scoring 44; 98% of Higher Level grades were 5–7. GCSE results for 2025 saw 87% of grades at 7–9, 43% at grade 9; 18 pupils achieved grade 9 in all entries and 40 attained at least nine 9s; 46 pupils completed Additional Mathematics, with 35 achieving the top grade.
In 2025, 84% of leavers gained Russell Group places and 72% went to their first-choice destination. 11 students received Oxbridge offers, with 8 taking up places. Destinations also included London universities such as University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, King's College London (KCL), Queen Mary University of London, City, University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Royal Veterinary College, plus international universities including North Eastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; New York University, New York; South Florida University, Tampa, Florida; IE Business School, Madrid; and University of Amsterdam.
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are awarded to Whitgift students and Sixth Form students are frequently successful in obtaining these prestigious scholarships. The school also provides Maths enrichment and competitions—Maths Societies, Maths in Action, Maths Fest—and related enrichment opportunities within Design, Technology and Engineering.
Whitgift School implements social, emotional and mental health education through the Ideatum (PSHEE) programme. The programme includes a range of visiting speakers and regular staff training to support understanding of mental health issues. Well-being is central to the school's ethos and is treated as the responsibility of all staff, with a whole-school approach. Pupils are supported through strong pastoral structures, tutors and year group teams, and a focus on belonging and open, non-stigmatising conversations about mental health. The school provides a coordinated set of supports through its learning and welfare teams to promote healthy relationships, resilience and personal development. It also integrates mental health awareness with its safeguarding framework and online safety policies.
Whitgift School provides Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision designed to support neurodiverse students and others with additional needs. The Learning Support Department and the SENDCo lead SEND provision, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and provide appropriate support, including for students with persistent mental health difficulties who require enhanced educational provision. The school uses targeted support within the school and maintains close collaboration with parents and guardians. Staff receive ongoing professional development to promote good mental health and SEND awareness, and a clear escalation route is in place for concerns. The policy acknowledges that most SEND needs are met within the school; where necessary, external professionals and services are engaged; the school tracks concerns through its pastoral and monitoring processes.
Where English is not the applicant's first language, Whitgift requires an English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment. EAL guidelines designate that the B2 level is divided into lower, middle and upper intermediate. Intake into Year 9 requires at least the lower end of B2 (or a B1/B2 cusp); Year 9 students have three years to reach upper-intermediate level, with a transition to C1/2 considered achievable. Intake into Sixth Form requires at least middle of B2, ideally upper-intermediate B2 to low C1. The Languages curriculum provides support for students with EAL to ensure inclusive access to pastoral care.
Whitgift has a mental health policy describing the school's approach to social, emotional and mental health issues and aims to promote early intervention and destigmatise mental health. The school uses a whole-school approach with staff training (including Youth Mental Health First Aid) and involvement of parents through pastoral engagement. The policy identifies a network of safeguarding and wellbeing staff, including a designated Mental Health Lead, school counsellors and pastoral teams, and provides counselling on site via the Medical Centre and Learning Support. There are clear routes to external services such as CAMHS, and CPOMS is used to track concerns. The Ideatum PSHEE programme underpins wellbeing education and the school collaborates with NHS and local health partners to provide appropriate support.
Whitgift School recognises safeguarding as a core responsibility and follows statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024). Safeguarding aims are to protect children from harm, prevent impairment of health and development, ensure safe and effective care, prioritise children's best interests, and consider their welfare at all times. A Director of Safeguarding and DSL leads safeguarding work; if an allegation involves the Headmaster, the Chair of Governors is contacted, and the Department for Education guidelines are followed. Staff, pupils and parents are encouraged to report concerns; confidentiality may be overridden to safeguard welfare. CPOMS records safeguarding and welfare concerns, and the policy is integrated with related policies such as anti-bullying, online safety, and counselling.
1. Submit the online application for 13+ or 14+ entry for September 2026 by October 6, 2025. Applications may include scholarship requests. Prepare and pre-scan documents (passport copy, passport photo, last two school reports, SEND documentation if applicable, and Scholarship application documents). The entrance exam fee is due immediately on receipt of the invoice, and the application must be signed by both parents.
2. If you are seeking a Bursary, register interest by November 21, 2025. Bursaries are available for Day places through the John Whitgift Foundation. See Fees and Bursaries for details.
3. Entrance examinations for 13+ and 14+ entry take place on November 8, 2025. For overseas boarders, examinations run from November 1 to November 7, 2025. Examinations cover English, Maths, and Science; EAL may be required if English is not the first language.
4. Interviews are held between November 19 and November 26, 2025. Students being considered for an offer attend a Senior Staff interview. A short meeting with parents follows.
5. Decisions are emailed to parents on December 5, 2025. For international boarders, decisions timing applies similarly. Acceptance deadlines follow: February 23, 2026.
6. Acceptance: The acceptance deadline for 13+/14+ is February 23, 2026 at midday. For overseas boarders, the acceptance deadline is December 11, 2025 at midday.
7. 13+ Pre-Test Entry 2028 (Boarding Only): Applications by November 7, 2025; Entrance Exams January 6, 2026; Interviews January 14–27, 2026; Decisions February 13, 2026.
8. International Students: Whitgift offers Child Student Visa support for international full boarding students and welcomes applications from self-sponsored international students.
9. Scholarships: For 13+/14+ entry, all students sitting the Entrance Examinations are considered for an academic scholarship; a separate scholarship application is not required. Students with exceptional ability may apply for Drama, Music, and Sport scholarships by completing and uploading the Whitgift Scholarship form with the main application; a maximum of three non-academic scholarships can be pursued if criteria are met. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the main application.
All students sitting the Entrance Examinations are considered for an academic scholarship; no separate scholarship application is required. Students with exceptional ability may apply for Drama, Music, and Sport scholarships by completing and uploading the Whitgift Scholarship form with the main online application; a maximum of three non-academic scholarships can be pursued if each area's criteria are met. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the main application.
Thorpe Underwood Estate, near York, North Yorkshire, England
Explorers Nursery (3 Months–3 Years); Chapter House (Age 3–Year 5); King's Magna (Years 6–9); College (Years 10–13)
Independent day and boarding school
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; Chapter House offers immersion and support for learners of English as an additional language
United Kingdom (England)
Queen Ethelburga's comprises four schools with wraparound care; wraparound care is available for up to 24 hours, including the Early Risers club, evening meals, and overnight stays as part of the boarding provision
Day students can travel to QE by bus or train from across York, Leeds and Harrogate. There are ten bus routes: Blue Route (Northallerton–Ripon–QE), Purple Route (Hovingham–Easingwold–QE), Orange Route (Vangarde–Rufforth–QE), Black Route (Copmanthorpe–Long Marston–QE), Green Route (Sprotborough–Snaith–QE), Yellow Route (Sherburn–Aberford–QE), Brown Route (Roundhay–Alwoodley–QE), Red Route (Ripley–Knaresborough–QE), Grey Route (Wakefield–Wrenthorpe–QE), plus an additional route. A shuttle runs to Cattal Station for rail connections.
Boarding is available for three age bands: 7-11, 11-14 and 14-18. The school offers full‑time and weekly boarding options. Years 3–6 have a dedicated boarding space with facilities designed for younger children; wardrobes and cupboards are lower and furniture is smaller, and the boarding house includes a bath for those not yet comfortable with showers. A wide range of evening and weekend activities is provided, and a House Parent can read bedtime stories to boarders; a team of boarding staff care for younger children.
Uniform lists exist for Chapter House, King's Magna and QE College. Uniforms can be ordered online via the Uniform Shop at www.qe.org/school-community/uniform-shop or by emailing qeshop@qe.org to arrange order and collection. All items must be named clearly and permanently. For girls, accessories must be black.
Boarding students have access to the school shop and vending machines on site for snacks and drinks. Takeaway food is permitted for Years 11-13 from QE's approved providers; takeaways for younger boarders are not allowed. Tuck (two pieces a day) is allowed and students may bring their own chocolate spread.
The Academic House System has four houses: Cantwara, Eoforwic, Derwent and Lyminge. The house system creates community and friendly competition with regular house events and a House Cup; staff and students work with Heads of Academic Houses to participate in house activities.
The Collegiate is governed by the Collegiate Board of Directors.
The school offers GCSEs, BTECs and A Levels as part of its senior curriculum. The Faculty provides GCSEs and BTECs at Key Stage 4 and A Levels at Key Stage 5. English is taught at Chapter House, with dedicated support for students learning English as an additional language. A one-hour weekly Personal Development and Wellbeing program supports personal, social and health education. QE College has a Super-Curricular programme with a one-hour slot in Key Stage 5 timetable. The Faculty runs Super-Curricular activities timetabled into the weekly timetable.
QE College provides clear pathways to higher education. Many students progress to universities, including courses in business, economics and marketing. In social sciences, graduates have progressed to universities such as University College London, King's College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Personal Development is a one-hour weekly lesson focusing on personal, social and health education, and it supports social, moral, spiritual and cultural progression across QE's chapters and senior school. It emphasizes resilience, emotional intelligence and healthy relationships as part of students' broader wellbeing education.
The Learning Development department actively supports students with Special Educational Needs and disabilities, aiming to identify and provide for their needs within an inclusive, broad and balanced curriculum. Provisions are tailored to individual needs with reasonable adjustments to teaching methods, the curriculum and the school environment, and plans are used to monitor progress. The policy details educational and welfare provisions for students who have, or are suspected to have, learning difficulties, and it clarifies roles and responsibilities within the LD provision.
Chapter House offers a dedicated EAL programme to immerse and support children learning English as an additional language. Further up the school, students can apply for IELTS and may sit examinations in their native language where available.
Wellbeing is embedded in daily life at QE. Senior Wellbeing highlights weekly Personal Development sessions addressing resilience, kindness, emotional intelligence, online safety and staying mentally and physically healthy. Forest School is available as an outdoor wellbeing activity, and Stay and Play sessions include forest school experiences.
Safeguarding is a core priority. Welfare is described as the school's first priority, with all staff committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children and young people. A dedicated welfare team is on call 24 hours a day to provide support and guidance, and regular Personal Development sessions cover staying safe and related safeguarding topics.
1. UK entry (Years 4-13). Contact the Admissions Team to start the UK application process and receive the application form. The Admissions Team guides you through the next steps and answers questions about QE. They coordinate with your child's current school, agent or test centre to arrange online tests, and an invigilator is required for the test. 2. Submit documents. Send your child's passport, 2 x full school reports, birth certificate, and the completed application form. These documents help the school review background and readiness. 3. Visit QE. Attend an Open Day or arrange a private tour to meet staff and see facilities. 4. Assessments. Take the Cognitive Ability Test (CAT4); the CAT4 is not an entry exam and the results help place your child in the right learning environment. 5. Accept offer and pay. Complete the registration to accept your offer and pay a non-refundable fee of £354. 6. Foundation Stage, Reception and Years 1-3. Follow Steps 1–5 above for UK entries in these age groups; the process and the same £354 registration apply. 7. Nursery (Explorers). Apply for Explorers Nursery (3 months to 3 years): contact to receive the application form; submit documents (passport, birth certificate, application form); visit Open Day or arrange a private tour; pay a £99 non-refundable registration; arrange a four-hour settling-in session at Explorers Nursery. 8. International entry. Register interest with an International Rep or agency; provide documents (passport, 2 x copies of the most recent full school reports, and any certificates). Complete the assessments: an online English test, CAT4, a Personal Résumé, and a Personal Interview (in person or via video call). If successful, receive an offer letter and complete registration to accept the offer with a £354 non-refundable fee and an international deposit equal to one term's full fees.
Scholarships are available to UK students who demonstrate gifts in academics, sports, music, or drama. The Scholarships page notes that UK students with these gifts may be eligible for scholarships.
Taunton, Somerset TA2 6AD, UK.
Nursery (0-4), Pre-Prep (4-7), Prep (7-13), Senior (13-16), Sixth Form (16-18).
A co-educational day and boarding school.
60+ nationalities represented.
Support for international students transitioning to the British education system.
Transport services available.
Extensive boarding at Prep, Senior, and Sixth Form levels. Over 450 boarders school-wide.
British curriculum. IB Diploma, A-Levels, BTEC, and International Foundation Programme at Sixth Form.
96% progress to university, including Russell Group and Oxbridge.
Comprehensive pastoral care.
Support for international students.
Separate pathways for Nursery, Pre-Prep/Prep, Senior/Sixth Form, and International students. Scholarships and assisted places available. Open events offered.
Scholarships and assisted places available.
Stonar School is located at Cottles Park, Atworth, Wiltshire, SN12 8NT, United Kingdom. The campus is in Atworth, a village in Wiltshire, and the school runs bus routes from nearby places including Bath, Chippenham, Marlborough, Malmesbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Calne, Warminster and Devizes.
Stonar is structured as Nursery ages 2–4, Prep ages 4–11, Senior School ages 11–16, and Sixth Form ages 16–18. The school also offers boarding from ages 9–18.
Stonar is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2–18. Boarding is available for pupils aged 9–18, with boarding houses for different age groups.
Stonar provides Individualised Learning for pupils who need additional support, including differentiated teaching in class and specialist teaching for special educational needs or English as an Additional Language. In Prep, support can include targeted small-group intervention for English, Maths or social communication; in Senior School, pupils may receive small-group or individual lessons focused on identified needs such as literacy.
Stonar does not state a formal affiliation with a particular country on the school website. It is a UK independent school in Wiltshire and follows a British school structure from Nursery through Sixth Form.
The school has no religious affiliations.
For boarders, the school day starts at 7:00am, with breakfast from 7:45–8:15am, tutor time from 8:30–8:45am, and lessons from 8:50am–4:00pm. Break is 10:45–11:10am, lunch is 1:05–2:15pm, and pupils then have tea followed by clubs or free time from 4:15–5:30pm.
Yes, Stonar offers a school bus service. Routes serve areas including Bath, Chippenham, Marlborough, Malmesbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Calne, Warminster and Devizes, with listed stops such as Laura Place in Bath, Waitrose in Malmesbury, and Chippenham FC. Families can book a bus place through the school’s bus booking link, and routes are reviewed each year according to demand.
Stonar’s curriculum follows a British school pathway from Nursery to Sixth Form: Nursery is for ages 2–4, Prep for ages 4–11, Senior School for ages 11–16, and Sixth Form for ages 16–18. In Prep, the school uses an enquiry-led Primary Curriculum with thematic units, including creativity, sport, outdoor education and international-mindedness; thematic learning continues in Years 7–8 through the Stonar Diploma. In Years 9–11, pupils move into GCSE study, with the school noting that Senior pupils choose from a broad range of GCSE subjects; its GCSE options include areas such as sciences, mathematics, languages, creative arts, sport and other academic subjects. In Sixth Form, students usually take the equivalent of three A Level subjects, with more than 20 course options including Fine Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama & Theatre, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, French and Spanish, Music, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics, Photography, Physics and Psychology. Stonar also offers Level 3 Diploma/BTEC or Cambridge Diploma routes in Business, Equine Management, Fashion Design & Textiles, and Sport & Exercise Science, with options equivalent to one, two or three A Levels depending on the course. Overseas students may also have the opportunity to take an A Level exam in their native language, as well as IELTS and other English qualifications, with additional fees possibly applying.
1. Enquiry and visit
Parents can contact the Admissions Team to ask about entrance procedures, arrange an individual tour, or attend an open day. Stonar says families can visit throughout the year and meet the Headmaster, teachers and pupils; international families may also use online arrangements where travel is not practical. The usual entry points are Nursery, Reception, Year 7, Year 9 and Lower Sixth, although other year groups may be considered if places are available.
2. Registration and application documents
Parents should complete the Stonar application form and send it to the Admissions Team. The school asks for a recent school report, ID authentication, and a non-refundable application fee; for international applications, parents are also asked to provide copies of parents’ passports. The application form states that registration does not secure a place, but means the child will be considered for selection, with offers subject to availability and admissions requirements.
3. Assessment and taster arrangements
For Prep entry, places are offered subject to availability after successful taster days and, where relevant, reports and references; pupils entering Key Stage 2 complete Maths and English assessments. For Senior School entry, pupils normally spend a day in school, have an informal interview with the Head or a senior academic member of staff, and complete an online academic assessment. If an overseas pupil cannot visit in person, Stonar says the assessment can be carried out online under test conditions at the pupil’s current school, with the interview conducted by Zoom or Teams.
4. Sixth Form and international entry checks
Sixth Form applicants are assessed through their latest school report, a reference from their current school and an interview; pupils taking GCSEs are normally offered places subject to satisfactory mock examination results. Stonar says Sixth Form pupils are normally expected to achieve at least six GCSEs at grade 5 and above, including at least a grade 6 in GCSEs relevant to their course choices, or as stated in the Sixth Form Options Booklet. International applicants sit an online examination, an informal interview, and an English as an Additional Language assessment, with offers also subject to a satisfactory report and reference from the current school.
5. Offer, acceptance and deposit
Stonar says offer and scholarship letters are normally sent within three weeks of completing the admissions process. Parents are asked to return the acceptance form and pay the acceptance deposit within two weeks, unless stated otherwise; if no response is received within three weeks, the school may assume the offer has been declined. For international applicants, places are normally offered within two weeks of assessment and interview, and should be accepted within four weeks of receiving the offer.
Stonar offers scholarships for entry into Year 7, Year 9 and the Sixth Form in academic, art, drama, music, sport and riding. Candidates may apply for a maximum of two scholarship awards, and the school requests supporting teacher or coach reports as part of the application process. Scholarships are not means-tested and are awarded to candidates of exceptional ability; Year 9 scholarships are usually for external candidates, although current pupils may be invited by the Headmaster where there is clear evidence of outstanding achievement or potential.
For Sixth Form, scholarships are open to both new applicants and pupils progressing from Year 11. The Sixth Form Academic Scholarship is for candidates expected to achieve at least five GCSEs at grades 8–9, and involves a cognitive abilities assessment, predicted grades, a school reference, and an interview with the Head and Head of Sixth Form. Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships are assessed through interview performance, academic assessments and evidence of talent, while Riding Scholarships may provide subsidised or free group riding lessons, or discounted livery and lessons for Performance Rider awards.
Stonar also offers means-tested bursaries for families unable to afford the full fee, where the school considers that the child would benefit from Stonar and contribute to school life. Bursary applications require full financial disclosure and supporting documents, and parents may be interviewed by the Head. The school states that priority is likely to be given to applicants of scholarship standard.
Stonar’s website refers to a waiting list, but it does not publish a detailed pool-style admissions system. The admissions policy says letters are sent to parents whose child has not gained a place and to those whose child’s name has been placed on the waiting list. For international applicants, Stonar says that if an offered place is not accepted within four weeks, the school reserves the right to offer places to candidates on the waiting list.
Bromsgrove School is on Worcester Road in Bromsgrove, a market town in Worcestershire. The campus is within easy reach of Birmingham, which is about 14 miles to the north. The M5 and M42 motorways provide road access, and Bromsgrove railway station is nearby. Birmingham Airport is approximately 20 miles away, making it convenient for international families.
The school is divided into three sections. The Pre-Prep (ages 2-7) includes nursery and reception. The Prep School (ages 7-13) has over 500 pupils including more than 100 boarders. The Senior School (ages 13-18) offers GCSEs, A Levels, the IB Diploma, and BTECs.
Bromsgrove is a co-educational independent day and boarding school. Boarding is available from age 7 with weekly and full boarding options. The school is a registered charity, and all fees are reinvested into the school.
The boarding community includes students from 75 different nationalities. There are 178 British Forces boarders. The mix of day pupils and boarders from across the world creates a diverse and international environment.
The school day includes lessons, activities, and sports sessions. Saturday activities are included in the fee and form part of the weekly programme. There are no exeat weekends, and a full programme of weekend activities runs for boarders.
Boarding is available from age 7 with around 600 boarders in the school. Single-sex boarding houses are provided for boys and girls, with a co-educational house in the Sixth Form. All Senior School boarding accommodation is en suite. The Prep School has a dedicated boarding house for students aged 7 to 13. A five-year rolling refurbishment programme keeps facilities up to date. There are no exeat weekends, and a full activities programme runs every weekend.
Meals are prepared on site with modern dining facilities. Boarders receive all meals as part of their fees, and day pupils have lunch included. The school caters to a range of dietary requirements reflecting its internationally diverse community.
Boarders are assigned to single-sex boarding houses, each with residential staff. A co-educational house is available in the Sixth Form. The house system fosters a sense of belonging and healthy competition between groups.
Bromsgrove School is a registered charity, meaning all fees are reinvested into the school. It has a Board of Governors that oversees the school's strategic direction. The school has been operating for nearly 500 years.
The Senior School offers GCSEs as two-year or three-year courses. Sixth formers choose between A Levels (typically three subjects with the option of an Extended Project Qualification), the IB Diploma (six subjects across Higher and Standard Level plus Theory of Knowledge, CAS, and Extended Essay), or BTECs in Sport and Business. The Prep School follows a broad curriculum preparing students for entry into the Senior School.
In 2025, IB students achieved an average score of 39.81 points. At A Level, 83% of grades were A/B and 61% were A/A. 90% of Upper Sixth students gained a place at their first-choice university.
90% of the 2025 Upper Sixth gained their first-choice university place. The school has a dedicated University and Futures team that supports students with applications to universities in the UK and internationally.
Each student has a personal tutor who provides pastoral support. The school's core values of humility, compassion, respect, and tolerance underpin its approach to student welfare. Boarding houses have residential staff who are on hand to support students.
Given the school's internationally diverse student body (75 nationalities), support for students with English as an additional language is part of the school's provision. The Oxford Online English test is required at admissions to assess English proficiency.
The school has a boarders' clinic with residential nurses and a doctor available on site. Personal tutors provide a first line of pastoral support. The school's emphasis on a busy activities programme and strong house system aims to support student wellbeing.
1. Submit a registration form with the registration fee (GBP 120 for day pupils, GBP 240 for boarding).
2. Provide a current school report from the student's existing school.
3. Complete CAT4 testing as part of the assessment process.
4. International applicants take the Oxford Online English test to demonstrate language proficiency.
5. Attend an interview, which can be conducted in person or online.
6. Day pupils sit entrance examinations. Prep School pupils transfer automatically to the Senior School subject to satisfactory academic and behavioural performance.
7. Taster days and short-term boarding stays are available for families who want to experience the school before committing.
Scholarships are available, though specific details about eligibility criteria and value were not published on the website. Families should contact the admissions team for current scholarship information.
