Make informed decision with these best boarding schools in UK, the sovereign nation of the United Kingdom comprising of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
At Jobreaders.org, quality education is at the front-burner and our goal remains helping younger people acquire rich knowledge and skilled needed to top tap into global career opportunities.
Secondary School education (also known as High School in the UK, sixth form, and “college”) spans from 5 to 7 years; and students between 12 and 16 years old are legally required to attend a secondary school in the UK.
In this work, we are making a detailed review and listing of the best boarding schools in the United Kingdom and other countries that make up this great student destination.
This critical education stage is very important in the life of children and getting the right boarding school has been scientifically proven to improve the quality of reception among teens.
Even though it is nationally regarded as “lower secondary”, we consider these years more important as it forms the foundation upon which other levels of education will be built.
Let’s get down to business:
Why Boarding Schools in United Kingdom?
Boarding schools in England are chosen by students and their families for various reasons, and the decision often depends on individual preferences and educational goals. Here are some common reasons why people opt for boarding schools in England:
- Academic Excellence: Many boarding schools in England have a strong academic reputation. They often offer rigorous academic programs, excellent facilities, and highly qualified teachers.
- Cultural Experience: Studying in England provides an immersive cultural experience. Students get exposed to a diverse and rich cultural environment, improving their understanding of different cultures.
- Global Perspective: England is known for its global outlook. Boarding schools often attract students from around the world, fostering a global community and encouraging an international perspective.
- Extracurricular Activities: Boarding schools typically offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, and leadership programs. This holistic approach aims to develop students both academically and personally.
- Preparation for Higher Education: Boarding schools in England are often seen as a pathway to prestigious universities. The education system is designed to prepare students for higher education and future careers.
- Networking Opportunities: Being part of a boarding school community allows students to build valuable connections and networks. These relationships can be beneficial throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.
- Character Development: Boarding schools often emphasize character development, instilling qualities such as independence, responsibility, and resilience. Living away from home can contribute to personal growth and maturity.
- Language Skills: For international students, studying in England provides an opportunity to enhance English language skills by immersing themselves in an English-speaking environment.
- Tradition and History: Many boarding schools in England boast a rich history and traditions. Some families value the sense of heritage and continuity that these schools offer.
- Personalized Attention: Smaller class sizes in boarding schools can lead to more individualized attention for students, allowing for better support and guidance from teachers.
It’s important to note that the decision to attend a boarding school is highly personal, and individuals should consider their own priorities, preferences, and goals when making such a choice.
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Top 15 Best Boarding Schools in the UK
In the United Kingdom, all boarding schools are not equal and these are the top handpicked schools to consider:
- Eton College
- Badminton School
- Bishop’s Stortford College
- Uppingham School
- Oakham School
- The King’s School
- Epsom College
- Bootham School
- Headington School
- Woldingham School
Kindly Note: These best UK boarding schools come from data collected from hundreds of web sources, students’ ratings based on real-human input and it does not follow any hierarchical manner.
Proceeding, we are reviewing the schools based on their location, tuition and a number of other entry requirements that you may need for your next move.
Related Post: Best Boarding Schools in the USA (with Tuition Review)
Eton College
Eton College is a boarding school for boys aged between 13 and 18; the school is located in Eton, Berkshire, England, and was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name Kynge’s College of Our Lady of Eton Besyde Windesore.
In this list of best UK boarding schools for domestic and international students, Eton College is making it one of the oldest (18th) in the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference.
Tuition and Financial Aids
For some previous academic year, £9.4 million has been budgeted for Financial Aid, with 107 boys paying no fees at all. The number of available scholarships and financial aid for students makes it one of the best destinations for students in and outside the United Kingdom.
At Eton College, boarding fees cost around £14,030 per term which covers tuition, accommodation, meals and more.
Eton College Website: www.etoncollege.com
Badminton School
Badminton School is an independent ( private) school in Bristol, England and one of the best boarding schools in the whole of the United Kingdom. As a day and boarding school for girls between the ages of 3 to 18 years, Badminton School has three terms in each academic year with its campus located at the heart of Bristol.
Badminton School Tuition is as Follows (boarding fee per term):
- Junior School Boarder (UK/EU): £8,800
- Junior School Boarder (International): £10,100
- Senior School Weekly Boarder (UK/EU): £12,130
- Senior School Boarder (UK/EU): £12,870
- Senior School Boarder (International): £15,590
Badminton School Website: www.badmintonschool.co.uk
Bishop’s Stortford College
Bishop’s Stortford College is a co-educational private boarding and day school in England, for pupils aged 4–18, situated in a 130-acre campus on the edge of the market town of Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England.
Bishop’s Stortford College Boarding fees per term range from £11,348 to £12,687. Tuition for Day students per term are from £7,423 to £7,454.
Bishop’s Stortford College Website: www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org
Uppingham School
The Uppingham School was founded in 1584 and is still one of the leading British private schools for boys and girls ages 12 to 18. The school is located at Uppingham, Rutland.
Uppingham School Tuition Information: Kindly note that there is a Payable on registration and a non-refundable fee of £200. As for the tuition per term, boarding students pay the sum of £13,985 while day students pay £8,802 only (aside from other basic fees).
Uppingham School Website: www.uppingham.co.uk
Oakham School
Oakham School is one of the leading boarding schools in the United Kingdom and a co-educational boarding and day school that is located at Oakham, Rutland, England. This school was founded in 1584 by Archdeacon Robert Johnson, along with Uppingham School.
The Oakham School is basically for pupils from the ages of 10 to 18 yet is still considered one of the best UK boarding schools with its exceptional academic and another educational offering that is key to early childhood education.
Tuition Information
Tuition fee at Oakham School varies from Upper/Middle School (13–18 years) to Lower School (10–12 years) where boarders pay from £10,500 per term to £11,485 per 2 terms. At the upper school, boarders pay £14,635 and £8,700 for day students.
Oakham School Website: www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk
The King’s School
Aside from having campuses around the world, the King’s School is a public school in Canterbury, Kent, England; and a reputable member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference and the Eton Group.
This school is an Angican-owned independent ( private) co-educational day and boarding school for pupils from the ages of 13 to 18 in Kent, England.
Tuition Information
The tuition fee at King’s School is as follows:
- Boarding Students: £14, 830 per term.
- Day (Shell) £9,275 per term.
- Day (Remove and Fift) £9,780 per term.
- Day (Sixth Form) £10,300 per term.
Kindly Note: School fees at King’s School and other best UK boarding schools listed in this work are reviewed annually.
King’s School Website: www.kings-school.co.uk
Epsom College
Epsom College is an award-winning co-educational private school for pupils aged 11 to 18. This school is located at Epsom Downs, Surrey, England and was founded in 1853 as a benevolent institution which provided a boarding school education to take care of the sons of the poor or those who died as medical practitioners and others.
Tuition Information
At Epsom College Day pupils pay £28,686 per annum and £9,562 per term while weekly boarders pay £38,427 per annum and £12,809 per term. On the other side, Full Boarders pay £42,303 per annum and £14, 101 per term as tuition fee.
Epsom College Website: www.epsomcollege.org.uk
Bootham School
Bootham School is a co-educational private Nursery and Secondary school for pupils from the ages of three (3) to nine (9) and one of the Quaker schools in England.
This school is located in Boothman, United Kingdom with its reputation landing it on this list of best UK boarding schools for both domestic and international students.
Tuition Information
Tuition fees at the Bootham School are as follows:
- Full Boarding For those who stay all week ranges from £6,885 to £10,885 (Years 7-8 and Years 9-13, respectively)
- International Boarding The International Boarding fee applies to non-EEA Nationals living abroad £6,885 to £11,700
- Weekly Boarding 4-6 nights from £6,885 to £9,925 (Years 7-8 and Years 9-13, respectively)
- Part-Weekly Boarding 3 nights from £6,885 to £8,635 (Years 7-8 and Years 9-13, respectively)
- Part-Weekly Boarding 2 nights from £6,885 to £7,385 (Years 7-8 and Years 9-13, respectively)
Bootham School Website: www.boothamschool.com
Headington School
The Headington School is an independent boarding school for girls from the ages of 3 to 18 and was founded by the Evangelical Christians in the year 1915. This school is located in Headington, Oxford and has remained of the best boarding schools in the United Kingdom.
At Headington School, girls are accepted with admission from all backgrounds, cultures and countries of the world.
Tuition Information
Tuition fee at Headington School varies based on level and options such as Day, Weekly Boarding and Full boarding. Aside from another essential fee, full boarders pay from £13,787(Sixth Form Current Pupils) to £15,107 (Sixth Form Direct Entrants).
Headington School Website: www.headington.org
Woldingham School
Woldingham School is a Roman Catholic school independent boarding and day school for girls, located in the former Marden Park of 700 acres outside the village of Woldingham, Surrey, in South East England.
This school is one of the UK’s best boarding and day schools for girls from the ages of 11 to 18 and a member of the global Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Tuition Information
The tuition fee at Woldingham School is as follows:
For Years 7 and 8:
- Termly boarding fee (7 nights per week): £12,965
- Termly weekly boarding fee (5 nights per week): £11,390
- Termly day (tuition) fee: £7,720
For Years 9 to Upper Sixth:
- Termly boarding fee (7 nights per week): £14,110
- Termly weekly boarding fee (5 nights per week): £12,430
- Termly day (tuition) fee: £8,455
Woldingham School Website: https://www.woldinghamschool.co.uk/
Top Boarding Schools in England
The United Kingdom, England is one of the best student destinations and here is a summary of the best boarding schools for domestic and international students:
1) Eton College.
2) Badminton School.
3) Bromsgrove School.
4) The King’s School
5) Oakham School.
6) Wycombe Abbey.
7) Uppingham School.
8) Bishop’s Stortford College.
9) Headington School.
10) Sevenoaks School.
11) Epsom College.
13) Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
14) Cheltenham College.
15) Woldingham School.
16) St Mary’s School, Cambridge.
Parents and Students are Asking
Based on what users are seeking to learn about these top Uk boarding schools, we are putting down the questions and answers to further help you get what you are looking for.
What are the Best UK Boarding Schools?
Here is a more comprehensive (top 50) list of previously ranked best UK boarding schools for local and international students:
- Eton College
- Badminton School
- Bishop’s Stortford College
- Bromsgrove School
- Uppingham School
- Oakham School
- The King’s School
- Epsom College
- Bootham School
- Headington School
- Woldingham School
- Brighton College
- Sevenoaks School
- St Mary’s School, Cambridge
- Wycombe Abbey
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College
- Bedford School
- Ardingly College
- Westminster School
- Oundle School
- Monmouth School for Girls
- Roedean School
- Wycliffe College
- Haileybury
- Mayfield School
- Rugby School
- Rossall School
- Mill Hill School
- St Catherine’s
- Wellington College
- Dulwich College
- Marlborough College
- City of London Freemen’s School
- Cheltenham College
- Dauntsey’s School
- Canford School
- Sherborne Girls
- Benenden School
- St George’s School, Ascot
- Millfield School
- Winchester College
- Christ College Brecon
- King’s Ely
- Abingdon School
- St. Mary’s School Ascot
- Tonbridge School
- The Leys School
- Ashville College
- Sherborne School
- Repton School
- Christ’s Hospital
How much does boarding school cost in the UK?
£25,686 to £40,000 per annum
Good boarding schools in Uk costs from £25,686 to £40,000, depending on the factors that decide the tuition. One of the popular factors that decide how much you pay for any of the boarding schools listed here is the status of the students – either as local or as international students.
What are the Affordable Boarding Schools in the United Kingdom for International Students?
- Based on tuition and another cost of studies for pupils and students in the United Kingdom, here is a list of the most affordable boarding schools:
- Sidcot School
- Bredon School
- Rishworth School
- Ardingly College
- Kimbolton School
- St Catherine’s School, Bramley.
- Royal High School Bath
- City of London Freemen’s School
- Monmouth School for Girls
- Royal Russell School.
Summary and Caveat!
Please be advised that the details regarding tuition, fees, scholarships, and admission requirements for the UK boarding schools mentioned in this document are subject to change. To obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is strongly recommended that you visit the official websites of these institutions.