The Eton Group is an informal association of twelve elite independent boys' boarding schools in the UK. Established to facilitate collaboration and the sharing of best practices among its members, the group focuses on academic excellence, administrative efficiency, and the preservation of the boarding tradition. Governance is decentralized, relying on regular meetings between headteachers and senior staff to coordinate inter-school competitions, professional development, and educational standards. While distinct from formal regulatory bodies, the group represents a powerful collective of high-status institutions with significant historical and educational influence.
EG Member Schools (8)
Charterhouse is an independent boarding and day school situated within a 250-acre campus in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, near Godalming. The school's rural grounds feature woodland, lawns, and extensive sports facilities, including numerous pitches, a sports centre with a swimming pool, and a golf course. The school became fully coeducational from the age of 13 in September 2021. Charterhouse claims to focus on an all-round education, aiming to equip pupils to be "future-ready" and instilling academic rigour, intellectual curiosity, and values such as compassion and integrity.
Christ's Hospital is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for students aged 11-18, situated on a 1,200-acre estate south of Horsham, West Sussex. Established in 1552, the school operates under a royal charter and is known for its charitable foundation. It claims to challenge inequality by providing a nurturing education to young people from diverse backgrounds, with a majority of students receiving means-tested bursaries. The curriculum aims to combine academic ambition with a focus on broader opportunities in sports, music, art, and drama.
Highgate School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Highgate Village, North London. Founded in 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley, the school features a campus of historic Victorian architecture alongside modern facilities such as the Mills Centre for Art and Design. Its ethos focuses on academic curiosity and intellectual rigour, alongside a commitment to community engagement. Pupils follow a broad curriculum and participate in varied extracurricular activities in sport, music, and the arts, supported by facilities including the Mallinson Sports Centre.
St Paul's School is an independent day school for boys aged 7 to 18, with limited boarding options. Situated on 45 acres of green open space in Barnes, Greater London, by the River Thames, the school was founded in 1509 by John Colet. It claims to focus on "Scholarship, Opportunity and Character," promoting core traits such as Respect and Integrity. The campus features extensive facilities, including an RIBA award-winning Science building.
The King's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Founded in 597 AD, it is widely considered the oldest school in the world. The school occupies a UNESCO World Heritage site, incorporating historic medieval buildings alongside modern facilities such as the Malthouse Theatre and the Birley Centre for music. Its ethos focuses on holistic development, offering a traditional academic curriculum complemented by extensive programmes in sport and the arts, all set within a unique scholarly environment.
Tonbridge School is an independent boarding and day school for boys aged 13 to 18, set within 150 acres of grounds in Kent. Founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde, the school retains historical links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners. The campus features a blend of Victorian Gothic architecture and contemporary facilities, including the Barton Science Centre and the EM Forster Theatre. Academic life is complemented by a wide extracurricular programme and sporting provision; the Tonbridge School Centre was used as a training base for the 2012 Olympic Games.
University College School is an independent day school situated in Frognal, Hampstead, for pupils aged 4 to 18. Founded in 1830 by University College London, it was established on Benthamite principles to promote liberal scholarship and intellectual curiosity. The main campus features a Grade II listed Edwardian building and includes facilities such as an 800-seat Great Hall and the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre. While the school is historically for boys, the Sixth Form is co-educational, offering a progressive environment that emphasises individuality and a breadth of academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Westminster School is an ancient independent boarding and day school located in the urban setting of Central London, within the precincts of Westminster Abbey. Its origins can be traced to a charity school established by Benedictine monks in the early 14th century, and it was refounded by Elizabeth I in 1560. The school claims to foster academic excellence, scholarship, and open-minded inquiry. It offers day and boarding places for boys aged 13-18 and is co-educational for girls in the Sixth Form from 16-18. The school utilizes playing fields at Vincent Square a short distance away for sports.