Independent Boarding Schools

Woldingham School is a Catholic independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in a 700-acre estate within the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1842 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, it is one of the oldest girls' schools in the UK. The school is housed in Marden Park, a former country estate near Caterham. Its facilities include a 600-seat professional theatre and a modern sports centre. The curriculum focuses on academic breadth alongside a commitment to the Sacred Heart values of personal growth and social awareness.

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.

Benenden School is an independent boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated within the 250-acre Hemsted Park estate near Cranbrook, Kent. Founded in 1923, the school is centred on Hemsted House, a Victorian mansion built in the 1860s. Its educational approach follows a 'Complete Education' model, which integrates academic study with professional skills and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated science centre, a professional-standard theatre, and a music school with a concert hall. The expansive grounds accommodate a variety of activities, including lacrosse, hockey, and equestrian sports.

Claremont School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated across two campuses in East Sussex. The Nursery and Prep School are located in St Leonards-on-Sea, while the Senior School and Sixth Form occupy a rural site in Bodiam. Catering for pupils aged one to 18, the school claims to focus on personalised learning and global opportunities as a member of the International Schools Partnership. Facilities include a football academy, forest school, and an award-winning performing arts department. The school provides both full and weekly boarding options.

Cranleigh Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 280-acre rural campus in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1913, the school maintains close links with the neighbouring Cranleigh School, sharing facilities such as an indoor sports centre, swimming pool, and golf course. The curriculum balances academic rigour with an emphasis on the performing arts, music, and outdoor learning. Guided by the motto "Ex Cultu Robur", the school focuses on fostering well-rounded individuals within a supportive community and extensive co-curricular programme.

St Andrew's Prep is an independent co-educational day and boarding school located in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Situated in a coastal setting between the sea and the South Downs National Park, the school provides education for children aged nine months to 13 years. Its ethos is based on the values of kindness, honesty, and excellence. Facilities include an on-site woodland classroom, an indoor swimming pool, and dedicated spaces for performing arts. The school is part of the Eastbourne College Charity, sharing resources and professional networks with its neighbouring senior school.

The Dulwich School Cranbrook is a co-educational day and flexi-boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 16, situated within a 50-acre estate in the Kent countryside. Formerly known as Dulwich Prep Cranbrook, the school recently expanded its curriculum to offer a senior provision through to GCSE. The campus comprises specialised blocks for science, art, and music, alongside extensive sporting facilities including an on-site swimming pool and floodlit astroturf. Established in 1938 as a wartime evacuation camp, the school maintains a strong emphasis on both academic breadth and outdoor learning.

Frewen College is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated in Northiam, Rye, East Sussex. The school caters to students aged 7-19 with Specific Learning Difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. It is set within the grounds of a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion, encompassing 60 acres of parkland and gardens, with additional access to 100 acres of ancient deer park. The school claims to focus on individualized learning, developing strengths, and building self-confidence. Small class sizes are a feature of its educational approach.

Cottesmore School is a co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 13, situated at Pease Pottage in West Sussex. Founded in 1894 and occupying its current site since 1946, the school is housed in Buchan Hill, a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion designed by architects Ernest George and Harold Peto. Set within 30 acres of countryside, the school maintains an ethos that every child has a talent. Facilities include a 20-metre indoor swimming pool and the Sopwith Centre, which provides specialist spaces for art, science, and design technology.

Situated in a coastal setting in Brighton, East Sussex, Roedean School is an independent day and boarding school for girls. Established in 1885 by the Lawrence sisters, the school claims to provide a thorough physical, intellectual, and moral education. The campus occupies a site overlooking the English Channel. Its ethos focuses on academic excellence, personal independence, and a broad co-curricular programme including sport, culture, and the arts. The school aims to provide a high-quality, all-round education within a supportive community, utilising its expansive grounds for diverse activities.

The Prebendal School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated in the heart of Chichester, West Sussex. Recognised as the oldest school in Sussex, its history dates back to the 11th century as a song school for Chichester Cathedral, with which it maintains a close official link today. The school is housed in a collection of historic buildings, including a 13th-century school house. It provides a broad education with a strong musical tradition, serving as the choir school for the cathedral’s choristers.

Bishop’s Stortford College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 130-acre campus in Hertfordshire. Established in 1868 by Nonconformists, the school provides an all-through education that emphasises the values of scholarship and character. Architectural features include the 1922 Memorial Hall and the FS Young Library, which sit alongside modern facilities such as a 150-seat theatre and an indoor swimming pool. The college focuses on academic development alongside a broad programme in sport and the performing arts.

Lancing College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18. Situated in West Sussex, east of Worthing, the school is set within 330 acres of the South Downs National Park. Founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard, it operates as a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition. The school claims to focus on inspiring a desire for excellence, fostering independent minds, and promoting Christian values and community contribution.

Kensington Park School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in the heart of London. Established in 2017, the school operates across two sites on either side of Kensington Gardens: the Senior School in Bayswater and the Sixth Form, housed in a white stuccoed townhouse overlooking the Natural History Museum. KPS prioritises a personalised education with small class sizes and a modern curriculum. The school utilises prestigious local facilities, including Imperial College’s Ethos Sports Centre and Hyde Park, for its extensive sporting and co-curricular activities.

Brambletye School is a co-educational independent preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated near East Grinstead, West Sussex. Occupying a 140-acre estate overlooking Ashdown Forest, the school is centred on a Victorian country house built in 1896. Originally founded in 1919, Brambletye focuses on providing a broad education guided by its ethos of "Work hard, play hard and be kind." Facilities include a 270-seat theatre, an indoor swimming pool, and a golf course, with the extensive grounds supporting a wide range of outdoor learning and sporting activities.