Wellington College is a private day and boarding school in Berkshire for boys and girls aged 13–18. In 2023, the school received the BSA's award for Best Community Work, acknowledging its support for refugee and asylum-seeking children.

Wellington College is among the UK’s and the world’s top coeducational boarding and day schools. Situated on 400 acres of beautiful parkland, it features a mix of stunning original architecture and modern state-of-the-art facilities, creating an excellent educational environment for our pupils. Established in 1853, the school serves as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington.

The school has 17 boarding houses, each with its unique character. Children are cared for by a housemaster/housemistress, assistant HM, and a team of tutors. New pupils are paired with a 'buddy' from the year above to help them settle in. Wellington was the first school in the UK to integrate well-being into the curriculum, covering topics like physical health, relationships, perspective, purpose, and the world around them.

Wellington students go on to attend top universities and colleges in the UK and abroad, with approximately 20 students heading to Ivy League and US universities each year. Specialized advisors and an annual SAT and ACT preparation course support students with their applications.

Detailed information:

• Address: Duke's Ride, Berkshire, Crowthorne RG45 7PU, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1859
• Phone: +44 1344 444000
• Mail: admin@sevenoaksschool.org
• Ages: 13-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€11,920 - €16,310
• Website: https://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk/

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Tonbridge School, one of the UK's top boys' boarding schools, has been around since 1553 and welcomes boys aged 13 to 18. The students come from various backgrounds, including middle-class and noble families.

Class sizes are kept small to ensure students receive personalized attention, with no more than 12 students in A-Level classes. This helps meet the unique needs of each student. In recent years, an impressive 99% of graduates have been accepted into universities, with 24% securing spots at prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.

Tonbridge maintains the House Dining system, a rarity in UK boarding schools. Eating together daily fosters a strong sense of belonging among students. Younger pupils share rooms with three other classmates, while senior pupils enjoy double rooms. The boarding houses are well-kept, with many accommodation buildings being refurbished for added comfort. Councils update computers and software annually, ensuring students have access to the latest IT equipment and technology.

Tonbridge School excels in sports, particularly rugby. The cricket courts are also renowned as some of the best in the country. Other sports facilities include track and field, a squash center, and high-quality sports fields. The school hosts at least three sports events weekly, engaging in games with other schools on Saturdays. Activities range from football, rugby, and cricket to rock climbing, squash, and handball.

Art activities play a significant role in school life. The school's theatre opened in 2000 and dramatically enhanced artistic development. Numerous performances take place every semester, involving as many students as possible. Tonbridge has a dedicated recording studio for students interested in music bands, providing opportunities for performances, including jazz bands and strike bands. Mini concerts in the small auditorium add to the vibrant artistic scene at Tonbridge.

Detailed information:

• Address: High St, Tonbridge TN9 1JP, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1553
• Phone: +44 1732 365555
• Mail: enquiries@tonbridge-school.org
• Ages: 13-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€12,490 - €16,648
• Website: https://www.tonbridge-school.co.uk/

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St. Paul's School is a private boarding school in South West London, and it's a special place for boys aged 7 to 18. Founded in 1509 by John Colet, the school believes in education that covers the whole person and academics. At St. Paul's, students grow in five important ways: they learn to be respectful, kind, humble, honest, and resilient.

While most boys attend as day students, a small and friendly group of about 30 board, these children have daily prep (study time) and the chance to join in on many school activities. Fun stuff like go-karting, indoor skydiving, and paintballing is on the menu. Boarders also go on weekend trips, cooking classes, eating out, and exploring London.

St. Paul's is the UK's best-performing boys' school when it comes to exam results. You can join in at different ages: 7+ (Year 3), 8+ (Year 4), 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9), and 16+ (Year 12). Students must do well on an exam and an interview to get in. Every year, at least 25% of students attend top-notch universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Others attend universities overseas, including Berkeley, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

St. Paul’s School is set on 45 acres of green land by the River Thames in Barnes, London. The campus is unique among London schools because it has many on-site facilities. There's everything from a boat club to a theatre, an art gallery to a cricket pitch, a concert hall to an engineering workshop. The two main teaching buildings have a central Atrium, Colet Hall, Chapel, modern dining, the Kayton Library, and many bright classrooms with views of the Thames and playing fields.

Detailed information:

• Address: Lonsdale Rd, London SW13 9JT, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1509
• Phone: +44 20 8748 3461
• Mail: reception@stpaulsschool.org.uk
• Ages: 7-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€7,910 - €14,891
• Website: https://www.stpaulsschool.org.uk/

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Westminster School is a private boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18. Nestled next to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament in central London, this school has shaped young minds for nearly 630 years. Notably, it boasts an impressive alum list, including architect Christopher Wren, writer AA Milne, and Nobel Prize winners.

Approximately 180 boys and girls board at Westminster, residing in six boarding houses. These students receive care from a housemaster, resident matron, and a team of tutors. There's also a head of international students to support those coming from overseas. Boarders engage in structured prep every evening and have various opportunities for fun and relaxation. Activities range from Sunday brunch, pizza, and film nights to karaoke, group sports, and city trips.

Westminster students consistently achieve outstanding exam results, securing spots at prestigious universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, Columbia, UPenn, and Dartmouth. The school prioritizes safeguarding and pastoral care, ensuring each child is guided by a dedicated team, including housemasters, tutors, matrons, school counselors, a School Nursing Sister, and a Chaplain. Everyone is welcome, valued, and nurtured in this supportive environment.

Westminster encourages various hobbies and interests outside the classroom through an exciting extra- and co-curricular program. Two afternoons each week are dedicated to sports, with cricket, football, netball, and rowing taking the spotlight. The school shines in music and theatre, prompting pupils to take music lessons and join orchestras, choirs, and theatre projects. Whether it's debating, Model United Nations (MUN) clubs, inter-school general knowledge competitions, inter-house chess competitions, or casual pool games in the standard room, there are options available for every pupil at any time.

Detailed information:

• Address: 17A Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PB, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1560
• Phone: +44 20 7963 1000
• Mail: enquiries@westminster.org.uk
• Ages: 13-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€11,433 - €11,433
• Website: https://www.westminster.org.uk/

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Sevenoaks School is a private day and boarding school for boys and girls in Kent. It sits on a 100-acre campus in the countryside, just half an hour by train from Gatwick Airport and Central London. The school is recognized for its excellence and was named 'Co-educational Independent School of the Year' by the Sunday Times in 2023. Over 1,000 day pupils and boarders attend, ranging in age from 11 to 18 years, with roughly equal numbers of boys and girls. In 2006, it became the first central UK school to switch from A-level exams to the International Baccalaureate.

About 350 children board at Sevenoaks in one of seven boarding houses. Younger pupils share rooms to help them settle quickly and make friendships, while older students usually have single or double rooms for privacy and quiet study. Boarding is enjoyable, comfortable, and filled with activities. There's evening prep every day and a complete program of weekend sports, cultural, and social events. International students are welcome but need an adult guardian close to the school.

The extracurricular program at Sevenoaks is extensive. Sevenoaks School boasts 200 sports teams, with 87% of students representing the school in at least one sport. The music department thrives, offering 700 weekly instrumental lessons and hosting 50 annual concerts. Students also enjoy overseas trips, with residential visits to 18 countries yearly.

Detailed information:

• Address: High St, Sevenoaks TN13 1HU, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1432
• Phone: +44 1732 455133
• Mail: admin@sevenoaksschool.org
• Ages: 11-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€15,595 - €16,919
• Website: https://www.sevenoaksschool.org/

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Wycombe Abbey is a private boarding school in Buckinghamshire exclusively for girls aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove, the school is firmly committed to academic excellence and upholds five essential qualities: risk-taking, resourcefulness, determination, reflection, and development.

Situated on a 69-hectare campus in central High Wycombe, the school's land includes woods, gardens, a Cold War bunker (RAF Daws Hill), and a lake, reaching up to 150 meters above sea level in the Chiltern Hills. The school owns the freehold, and several buildings, including the main house, hold Grade II listed status.

Girls joining at 11+ spend their first year in the junior house before transitioning to one of nine senior houses. Living in mixed-age bedrooms between 12 and 16 encourages friendships across different year groups. Final-year students reside in a separate boarding house to foster independence before university. Activities include house outings, dorm feasts, competitions, and leisure opportunities. Some social events are shared with boys from Eton College, Winchester College, Radley College, and Harrow School. Parents and siblings are also invited to participate in activities like bonfire nights, house dinners, and summer BBQs.

Consistently recognized as one of the UK's top girls' boarding schools, Wycombe Abbey students secure placements at world-renowned universities, with approximately a third attending Oxbridge each year. A growing number of girls also earn spots at North American universities such as Brown, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.

Detailed information:

• Address: Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Rd, Cardiff CF24 0AA, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1896
• Phone: +44 1494 520381
• Mail: admissions@wycombeabbey.com
• Ages: 11-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€12,000 - €15,900
• Website: https://www.wycombeabbey.com/#intro

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Brighton College is another boarding school in Brighton, England, offering education to boys and girls aged 3 to 18. The school is divided into three sections: Brighton College (senior school for ages 11 to 18), Brighton College Preparatory School (ages 8 to 13, located next to the old school), and the Pre-Prep School (ages 3 to 8).

Recognized for its excellence, Brighton College was named England's Independent School of the Year in 2019. It achieved the fifth rank in the country for average A-level results in 2018, with an impressive 99% of grades falling within the A*–B range. In 2023, the school continued its success, with 80% of A-level candidates achieving A*/A grades.

Brighton College established international campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore to expand its reach. In 2023, a prep school for children aged 2–13 was opened in Kensington, central London.

Boarding is a growing option at Brighton, with the number of boarders tripling in the last decade. The boarding facilities, designed by leading interior designers, have received awards. Boarders enjoy an entire evening program after study sessions, participating in activities like dance lessons, sports, mindfulness, films, and board games.

Brighton College's pastoral system is based on houses, with 15 divided by gender. Both male and female staff can be associated with any home. Each cabin accommodates 48 to 85 pupils and is overseen by a housemaster or housemistress (HMM) and a team of personal tutors. Matrons and housekeeping staff contribute to the well-being of boarding houses. House prefects, appointed from the Upper Sixth Form (Year 13), mentor younger members, and a head pupil represents the house at events and competitions.

Detailed information:

• Address: Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0AL, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1845
• Phone: +44 1273 704200
• Mail: seniorsch@brightoncollege.net
• Ages: 11-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€14,000 - €17,250
• Website: https://www.brightoncollege.org.uk/

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Cardiff Sixth Form College (CSFC) offers day and boarding options for kids aged 14-18. The school is diverse, with students from over 40 different countries. It has two campuses - one in Cardiff, South Wales, and another in Cambridge, East England.

Around 85% of CSFC students choose to board full-time. Boarders stay in studio flats, shared apartments, or cluster rooms, creating a university-style living experience that supports focused study and helps students transition to young adulthood. Weekends are filled with various activities, including team sports, community outreach, work experiences, and city outings.

CSFC consistently achieves high academic results and is ranked first in the UK for A-level grades, and the Sunday Times recognized it as the 'Wales Independent Secondary School of the Year' in 2020. It won the 'Best Wellbeing Initiative Award' from the Independent Schools of the Year in 2019.

The school's success is attributed to excellent teaching, personalized support, quality academic resources, and a unique program of extracurricular activities. Alongside tailored career guidance, work placements, and volunteer opportunities, students develop communication, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, research, and leadership skills. CSFC's award-winning pastoral care system ensures students feel supported, allowing them to confidently advance to leading universities.

CSFC students frequently secure spots in top universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, London School of Economics, University College London, and prestigious institutions worldwide. They pursue academic subjects such as medicine, law, engineering, computer science, and economics.

Detailed information:

• Address: Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Rd, Cardiff CF24 0AA, United Kingdom
• Founded: 2004
• Phone: +44 29 2049 3121
• Mail: admissions@ccoex.com
• Ages: 13-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€17,600 - €19,333
• Website: https://www.ccoex.com/

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Queen Ethelburga's (QE) boarding school in York welcomes children from nursery to age 18. They have two senior schools, the Faculty and the College, covering GCSEs and A levels for Years 10–13, with BTEC courses available at the Faculty. QE has fostered a vibrant and supportive school community in over 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside since 1912.

QE teaches girls and boys from 3 months old, guiding them through four schools - Chapter House (3 months to Year 5), King’s Magna (Year 6 to 9), The College, and Faculty (both Years 10 to 13) – to cultivate resilient, confident, and independent young adults well-prepared for the future. QE is renowned locally, nationally, and internationally for upholding the highest standards.

Their facilities are modern, featuring air-conditioned and en-suite bedrooms. Sixth-formers enjoy their cooking and washing facilities, promoting independence. The award-winning food (the catering team won an award in 2019) is complemented by various student cooking clubs. Additionally, they offer a broad enrichment program, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, CCF, sports, arts, music, and drama.

QE consistently achieves high exam results, guiding students to top UK universities. The Sunday Times recognized QE as the North Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance in 2024. Their exam results consistently place them among the top 10 day and boarding schools in the UK, with students benefiting from their campus's fantastic study, boarding, and leisure facilities.

Detailed information:

• Address: Thorpe Underwood, Estate, York YO26 9SS, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1912
• Phone: +44 1423 333333
• Mail: qeoffice@qe.org
• Ages: 0-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€12,150 - €12,600
• Website: https://www.qe.org/

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St. Michael's School is a boarding school for students aged 3 to 18 in Llanelli, Wales. The school is divided into four sections: Pre-Preparatory School, Preparatory School, Senior School, and Sixth Form. St. Mike's is dedicated to being a 'family school,' with family-style values influencing every aspect of school life.

St. Michael's provides weekly and full boarding options and remains open during half-term holidays. Various leisure activities are planned throughout the year to cater to most students' interests. A range of sports is available, with badminton, basketball, and soccer being popular evening choices. Art, music, choir, chess, and more clubs are updated each term based on student demand.

The boarding accommodation at St. Michael's is spread across four separate houses. Parc House is comfortable and homely for boarders aged 12 to 14, while Tenby House is purpose-built for those aged 15 to 18. Additionally, there are two tiny independent houses for male and female Sixth Formers in their final year of studies.

The school offers GCSE and A-Level qualifications, achieving notable success, with 60.9% of all A-Level entries graded A* or A in 2018. This achievement earned St. Michael's the Sunday Times 2018 Welsh Independent Secondary School of the Year award. They set high ambitions for the students, and the experienced teachers work diligently to bring out the best in every young person, helping them become confident, resilient, and capable individuals.

Detailed information:

• Address: Ty Mawr, St Michaels School, Penybryn, Bryn, Llanelli SA14 9TU, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1923
• Phone: +44 1554 820325
• Mail: office@stmikes.co.uk
• Ages: 11-18 years old
• Tuition fees:€8,595 - €11,685
• Website: https://www.stmikes.co.uk/

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