“I will never forget the school that was well worth travelling 5,000 miles for."
Welcome…
Set in a stunning coastal location on the Isle of Man, we are a unique non-selective co-educational school, located in a very beautiful and safe environment.
As one of the best and most established International Baccalaureate schools in the British Isles, what we value above-all is being a strong, friendly community.
With 37.1 acres of inspiring space; 19th Century architecture, five rugby pitches, four football pitches, three cricket pitches, floodlit AstroTurf, sports hall, swimming pool, landscaped gardens, two boarding houses and a chapel large enough to accommodate the whole school, King William’s College is truly a special place.
Here is our virtual tour.
Hear from our students...
Click HERE to see video interviews with our boarders and find out what they enjoy most about boarding at King William's College and living in the Isle of Man.
Boarding at KWC
Our vibrant, friendly and creative boarding community represents 20% of the school community.
There are two boarding houses – Colbourne House for boys and School House for girls.
We have capacity for 100 boarders and are currently home to 87 international boarders, representing over 15 nationalities
Our boarding community also includes local students –enabling our international boarders to fully integrate into school life and the local community.
Our pastoral care is excellent and international boarders form strong friendships and pupils are given the freedom to become more independent both socially and academically.
Boarding at KWC
Our boarders have unrivalled access to College facilities and staff and can take advantage of the busy weekly and weekend activity programmes.
There are no exeat weekends.
Support is given to non-English speakers with qualified English as an Additional Language (EAL) staff.
We have an excellent and collaborative relationship with the Isle of Man Immigration Service, who are regulators for immigration services in the Isle of Man.
Please see our Guide to Boarding.
“The best thing about boarding is the people; everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”
(I)GCSEs
We provide a broad and balanced curriculum in the Fifth Form (Year 9 to 11) and most pupils study a total of 10 or 11 subjects to (I)GCSE level.
All pupils take the subjects of English, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
In the Lower Fifth pupils are taught separate Sciences and they can opt to either continue this or do Double Award Science.
All pupils study Religious Studies, leading to the GCSE qualification at the end of Middle Fifth. Pupils will then choose one foreign language of ESOL, French, Spanish or Latin and three additional subjects. The option blocks for these additional subjects will be determined following consultations with agents, parents and pupils.
Pre-IB Programme
The aim of our Pre-IB Programme is to provide our international students with the language skills and academic foundations to make a success of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Pupils successfully completing the year will automatically be offered a place to study the IB in our Sixth Form.
Pre-IB pupils will become members of the Fifth Form and will join the Upper Fifth (Year 11) tutor groups.
All Pre-IB students join existing (I)GCSE classes and study the IGCSE First Language and the IGCSE First Language English courses, which are specifically designed for them.
Sixth Form Academic Pathways
Our three distinct academic pathways are tailored to students’ individual needs and ambitions as they start to look to life beyond senior school.
Through our teaching of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, International Baccalaureate Courses and Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications, our pupils have the flexibility to be able to choose the best next step for them, whether they are considering university or employment.
International Baccalaureate
King William's College is a World IB School and this year we celebrated 20 years of teaching the International Baccalaureate.
Since 2022 more than 1,000 students have studied the Diploma with us and we have become one of the largest and most successful IB schools in the British Isles. Over 95% of our students proceed to higher education each year, both in the UK and abroad, and students regularly gain places at the very best universities, including Oxbridge.
The entry requirement is six (I)GCSEs grade C or above or equivalent. Our average class size is 10.
Summer Term Boarding Experience
The King William’s College Summer Term Boarding Experience is a unique course which is held during the summer term – the perfect three-week taster.
Our 2024 course will run from Wednesday 5th to Tuesday 25th June and will provide an opportunity for students aged 13 to 16 to join a fully functioning school.
The course is designed to empower students to taste boarding school life and discover if they would enjoy studying away from home longer term. It offers intensive English tuition, with a range of other academic subjects, and total immersion into the School community. It is complemented by a full leisure programme of sports, activities and excursions. Please see our Summer Term Boarding Experience Guide.
“King William’s College has helped me unlock my true potential, academically and on the sports field.”
Beyond the Classroom
An education begins in the classroom but does not end there. We aim to provide an education which offers a wide range of enrichment and extracurricular opportunities outside the classroom including, our Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Senior
Debating Society and Bragg Society.
We hold extensive extracurricular sports clubs including, hockey, netball, football, rugby, athletics, basketball, golf, sailing, table tennis and swimming. There is a full programme of Inter House sport competitions and numerous matches with the local schools and termly sport tours to the UK, competing against other independent schools.
School trips make a major contribution to the acquisition of knowledge an d development of skills. We’ve taken students all over the world to countries including, Australia, Canada, South Africa, the Far East, Korea, Iceland, Russia, France, Germany, the USA and Japan.
Music and Drama
Music and Drama thrive at King William’s College and plays a key part in school life.
We strive for excellence in all aspects of Music and actively encourage creativity of expression. Children can learn and perform on a variety of instruments both individually and with others and are able to sing in choirs, groups and with the school staff. Students can take part in the Chapel services and are also invited to participate in competitions and concerts.
Each year the school stages a major whole school Drama production which allows students to act, paint, design, operate, perform and work as a team. Productions have included The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sweeney Todd, Macbeth and Mary Poppins. The House Drama Festival is an annual tradition which is the culmination of seven weeks of rehearsals of studentdriven productions.
Hear from our alumnus Ian...
Falit Erriu…
…meaning Welcome in Manx Gaelic.
Situated between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, in the middle of the Irish Sea, is where you’ll find the Isle of Man.
It is a self-governing British Crown Dependency with a beautiful rugged coastline, medieval castles, natural landscape and an abundance of unspoilt beauty.
The Island, which is 32 miles by 14 miles and is home to about 84,000 people, has recently been voted the safest place to live in the British Isles.
Getting to the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man has great air links with most major airports in the UK and Ireland.
Most airlines operate daily flights to the Island, with some flights taking under 30 minutes.
Once you have arrived on the Island, King William’s College is located next door to the airport. Pupils can also access the Island via ferry or fast craft crossing.
Exam Results 2024
(I)GCSEs 2024
Our 69 GCSE/IGSCE Year 11 students achieved an overall pass rate (9-4 or A*-C) of 89%, with 41% of grades at 9-7 or
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA
The year group of 35 students achieved a credible overall average of 31.3 points. Five students achieved 40 or more points out of a maximum of 45, putting them in the top 10% of students worldwide. Fourteen students achieved 35 points or more.
DEPOSIT
FULL BOARDING FEES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024
£36,050
£40,300
£42,750
£12,017
£12,017
£12,017
£13,434
£13,434
£13,434
£14,250
£14,250
£14,250
A deposit of £1,500 is payable and is refundable after the pupil has left the school and is subject to completion of at least one full term.
ADMISSIONS
At King William’s College we welcome enquiries on a short or long-term basis.
We would also be delighted to welcome your agency to visit our school and will pay for your flights from the UK.
Please let me know when would be a convenient time and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Please scan the below QR code to access our admissions literature:
MEET THE TEAM
Kara Clague | Head of External Relations
Marion Taggart | Admissions Registrar
Hayley Naldrett| Marketing Assistant
Lauren Rafferty-Spiers | Administrative Assistant
Website: www.kwc.im
Phone:
+44 (0) 1624 820108
Email:
Address: King William’s College Castletown Isle of Man IM9 1TP kara.clague@kwc.im
Bespoke Agent Webpage
“My favourite thing is I get to meet a lot of different people, from different age groups and we become a sort of second family. We all care for each other, and it just feels like another home.”
“The surrounding with the sea is beautiful and I also like the mix of towns and a quiet and lovely countryside. I would really recommend it; everyone is so kind and helpful.”
