Clifton College welcomes HM Forces families
Why Clifton College?
Clifton College, located in the heart of Bristol has a rich and established heritage with the British Armed Forces and the families that serve within it. For 150 years our welcoming House staff have been supporting children with the Forces lifestyle. Our Forces community values the flexibility and individual support that our wrap around care offers day, flexi-boarders and boarding pupils.
Clifton College is an independent coeducational day and boarding school for children from 3 to 18, so siblings can remain at the same school throughout their education. Boarding starts at the age of 8, in Year 4. This continuity is valued highly by the children and their parents. September is our traditional entry point but we can be flexible to personal requirements and are well accustomed to supporting children’s integration into school life.
We are proud of our school’s strong military tradition and that we are the school of choice for many HM Forces families and FCDO families. Our Forces community values the flexibility and individual support that our wraparound care offers day, flexi-boarders
and boarding pupils. Currently nearly 10% of our boarders (more than 35 children) come from military families (the national average at other boarding schools is 6%).
The wide range of backgrounds of our pupil population ‘allows children to develop other friendships and experience other walks of life’ (HM Forces parent).
We know how important a safe, welcoming and supportive community is for those considering boarding. We pride ourselves in creating an environment that helps your entire family know the correct decision has been made.
“The stability from aged 8 that it gave me as my family moved around meant a lot to me.”
Georgie, Year 12
“The school ‘just understands’ how they might be feeling and supports them in whatever they need.’’
The National Military Family Association
Home from home
Our unique House system which provides Houses for both day and boarding pupils, offers a nurturing and supportive atmosphere in which your child is encouraged to seize each opportunity and fulfil their potential.
Our House staff have many years’ experience of the challenges faced by Forces families, understanding the Emotional Cycle of Deployment for Children and ensuring your child receives individualised care and guidance.
We understand the importance of a consistent and stable education for military families; a Clifton College education offers your children a broad curriculum, outstanding academic and pastoral support, extensive activities outside the classroom and a home away from home, centered around their boarding house.
As Clifton College is both a day and boarding school, our pupils are present throughout much of the term and our houses are vibrant and busy even at the weekend. We have several exeats during the school year, but there is an option for boarders to stay in their houses, so they can always feel at home.
All-round experience
College life is busy and fulfilling. Preparatory School boarders enjoy regular Sunday day trips and weeknight activities, while the larger contingent of boarders in the Upper School have a combination of organised activities and access to a wide range of facilities in school and the local area.
Our outstanding facilities and more than 45 extracurricular clubs and activities, such as DofE and LAMDA, offer limitless opportunities for pupils to find and follow their passions.
The Pre-Prep and Prep schools build strong foundations for The Upper School. From Year 4 each child is assigned a tutor to provide academic guidance to help them realise their full potential. The College benefits from modern classrooms, outstanding facilities and innovative teaching.
GCSE pupils can choose to study from a list of more than 30 subjects, while 31 A Level courses are taught, including eight languages.
Most students study 11 subjects at GCSE with a recent success rate of 54% 9-7 grades, with 31 different subjects offered. At A Level our pupils achieve on average 73% A* to B grades. Almost all of our pupils go on to higher education and in 2024, 94% of pupils won places at their chosen universities, including places at both Oxford and Cambridge and other highly competitive universities such as Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh and UCL.
We have an array of Scholarships and Bursaries, awarded to gifted children at 11+, 13+ and 16+.
“Academic results are important but many parents want a rounded school that offers many strings to the child’s bow.”
Forces parent of Clifton pupil
Why Bristol?
Clifton College is located in the beautiful residential area of Clifton, Bristol, near the vast green space of The Downs and the city’s famous landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Bristol is the largest city in the South West of the UK, neatly positioned near the M4/M5 intersection with excellent rail links and an international airport. It is the UK’s 10th largest city and has a population of just fewer than half a million.
Bristol is regularly named as one of the ‘Best Places to Live’ in the Sunday Times newspaper’s annual
listing, even topping the list! Bristol is a UNESCO City of Film and former European Green Capital. Bristol has high level sports clubs including football, cricket, rugby, basketball and ice hockey attracting crowds of supporters every week. Bristol has two universities and a large selection of cultural venues and events.
Fees
We are proud of our strong HM Forces community at the College and our ability to support so many HM Forces families. We hope this strong military tradition will continue to thrive, and we recognise that the financial support we offer our families is key to this success.
If you claim Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) for your child to take a full boarding place at the College, the amount that you will personally pay will be fixed at a flat rate per term. The College will provide a Forces Boarding Award against the termly fee that will leave the balance payable after CEA of the amounts in the table below:
Prep School
(Years 4 – 8)
Senior School
(Years 9 – 11)
Sixth Form
(Years 12 – 13)
£1,235
£1,850
£2,450
pupils’ personal accident insurance, travel and accommodation when representing the school, and internet access.
Extra charges apply to music lessons, 1:1 Learning support in the Upper School, Art & DT materials in the 6th Form – unless you are a scholar in these subjects, exam fees and dry cleaning.
The CEA release their rates annually and details of the current year can be found on our website, along with how the fees are calculated. The parent contribution on top of the CEA will remain fixed at the values given.
The annual CEA update and our own annual fee review may impact the flat fee and parents will be given a term’s notice of any changes. The boarding fee includes academic tuition, activities outside of the classroom, breakfast, three-course lunch, three-course supper, laundry, games and prep, textbook loan,
How to get here
Bristol is neatly positioned near the M4/M5 intersection with excellent rail links and an international airport.
The next steps: how to register
Visiting the school and meeting the team is a key part of your admissions journey. We recognise this isn’t always possible and offer video calls at a time convenient to you. We also hold an online open event each year. For more information please contact our admissions team who would be delighted to hear from you.
To arrange a visit or to find out more please contact: prepadmissions@cliftoncollege.com or 0117 3157160 for ages 8-13 years admissions@cliftoncollege.com or 0117 3157110 for ages 13 -18 years.
CORNWALL
