Independent Boarding Schools

St John's School, Leatherhead, is an independent co-educational day and boarding school in Surrey for pupils aged 11 to 18. Founded in 1851 to provide education for the sons of the clergy, the school moved to its current 50-acre site in 1872. The campus features a blend of Victorian red-brick architecture and modern facilities, including a sports centre with a 25-metre swimming pool. St John's emphasises a balance of academic ambition, strong pastoral care through its house system, and a broad range of co-curricular opportunities in sports, performing arts, and community service.

Hurtwood House, situated near Dorking in the Surrey Hills, is a co-educational boarding and day school specialising in sixth-form education for students aged 16 to 18. Founded in 1970 by Richard Jackson, the school is centred around an Edwardian mansion set within a 200-acre estate. It offers a unique, less formal ethos than traditional boarding schools, with no uniform and a first-name basis between staff and pupils. While maintaining strong academic rigour, the school is particularly renowned for its professional-standard facilities and success in the creative and performing arts.

TASIS The American School in England is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 3 to 18, located on a 46-acre campus in the village of Thorpe, Surrey. Established in 1976, the school is housed in a mix of modern facilities and historic buildings, including a Grade II listed Georgian manor house. It offers an American curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Advanced Placement courses. The campus features a dedicated arts centre, multiple sports fields, and specialised science labs, catering to a diverse, international student body.

Brighton College Prep Handcross is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 13, set within 52 acres of Sussex parkland. Rebranded from Handcross Park School in 2025, it is part of the Brighton College family and promotes an ethos of kindness and academic ambition. Facilities include a specialist Art and Design Centre, a 6-hole golf course, and an elevated outdoor classroom. The school provides a broad curriculum with specialist teaching in subjects such as Mandarin, complemented by extensive sporting and creative opportunities in its rural setting.

Amesbury is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 34 acres of grounds in Hindhead, Surrey. The school is housed in a Grade II* listed building designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It offers a broad curriculum that balances academic study with creative and physical activities, supported by facilities such as a purpose-built visual arts centre and extensive sporting grounds. The school focuses on personal development and community, preparing children for transition to a variety of leading senior schools.

Situated in the Kemptown area of Brighton, East Sussex, Brighton College is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Its campus combines historic Gothic Revival buildings with contemporary architecture, including the award-winning School of Science and Sport. The school claims to focus on an ethos of kindness, guided by the Greek motto, 'Let right prevail'. Facilities include 18 university-standard laboratories, a 400-seat theatre, and a 25-metre swimming pool, all located within walking distance of the seafront and the South Downs.

Cranleigh Senior School is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within 280 acres of the Surrey Hills. Established in 1865, the school features striking Grade II listed red brick Victorian architecture, including a central quadrangle and chapel designed by Henry Woodyer. Guided by the motto 'Ex Cultu Robur' (From Culture Comes Strength), the school fosters a community-focused ethos. Extensive facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a nine-hole golf course, and a robotics hub, supporting a broad curriculum that balances academic, sporting, and creative pursuits.

RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Mickleham, near Dorking. Set within 40 acres of countryside, the school's centrepiece is Dalewood House, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Founded in 1959, it is a founding member of the Round Square movement, following the holistic educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. The school offers a choice between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a modern sports hall and grounds that support a range of activities, including outdoor education and traditional team sports.

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.

Situated on a 70-acre country estate in Washington, West Sussex, Windlesham House School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 4 to 13. Founded in 1837, the school claims to focus on providing a relaxed, nurturing environment, supported by its long-standing policy of not requiring a school uniform. Facilities within the grounds include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and extensive woodland for outdoor learning. The school aims to encourage intellectual curiosity and personal development through a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.

Situated in the Sussex countryside in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, Bede’s Senior School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18. The school claims to offer a holistic education that prioritises individual interests, combining academic study with traditions in the performing arts and sport. Notable facilities include an on-site zoo housing over 70 species and the Legat School of Dance. Its ethos focuses on cultivating curiosity and ambition within an inclusive community that values personal growth and both creative and academic achievement.

King Edward's Witley is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated within a 100-acre estate in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1553 by King Edward VI, the school moved from London to its current site in Godalming in 1867. It offers a broad curriculum including both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school emphasises a holistic education, supported by facilities such as a dedicated music school, a business and finance centre, and extensive sports grounds.

Kent College Pembury is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in 75 acres of parkland near Tunbridge Wells. Established in 1886 and part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, the school moved to its current site in 1939 and is centred around a Victorian manor house. Its facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built theatre, and extensive sports pitches. The school fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment, encouraging pupils to achieve their potential through a balanced curriculum and a wide variety of academic and creative pursuits.

Marymount International School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated on a seven-acre campus in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1955 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming students of all faiths. It was the first school in the United Kingdom to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum, offering both the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Facilities include a modern STEAM "Fab Lab" and purpose-built sports and arts spaces, supporting a holistic approach to education.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.