Success Starts Here
Top three reasons families choose top UK boarding and day schools
Investing in your child’s education is the greatest gift that you can give to them. And while the financial commitment is getting greater, the future workplace is becoming more competitive too.
For the past sixteen years I have been helping parents choose the right school for their daughters and sons. They remain popular, despite the challenges of the economic tailwinds because:
• Academic advancement – UK boarding schools offer a world-class curriculum, top-tier teachers, and cutting-edge facilities, ensuring students gain a competitive academic edge for future success.
• Cultural connections – Exposure to a diverse, international community fosters cultural awareness, broadens perspectives, and equips students with the social skills needed for global citizenship.
• Holistic health – The schools in this magazine emphasise not just academics, but also personal growth through co-curricular activities, elite sports, leadership programmes, and character-building experiences.
Sowing the seeds of an outstanding education at one of the schools taking part in UK Boarding Schools Week will reap a rich harvest in their lives and set them up for success.
Mark Brooks MBA Director
Ana Beck, Tracey and Mark Brooks
Cardiff Sixth Form College
Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AA
Cardiff Sixth Form College has been the top academic school in the UK over the past 13 years. In 2024, 92% of all students gained A*-A grades and 97% A*-B. 83% of students went onto the QS top 100 universities and 14 students gained places in Oxford and Cambridge. One Nigerian student also gained a place at MIT last year.
Key subject choices included medicine, engineering, law, natural sciences, computer science, architecture, business and economics. A full super-curricular programme of careers, work placement, skills development, online courses, critical thinking and research projects supplements the excellent academic programme.
A year-long, one-to-one university preparation programme helps students
navigate the UCAS system, provides interview and personal statement guidance and tutoring for top university admissions tests. There is also a full range of extra-curricular sport, music, art and drama and a wide range of clubs and activities.
The college has two campuses in Cardiff and Cambridge and offers GCSE and A Levels. All students have single, ensuite bedrooms and there is excellent pastoral support.
Cheltenham College
Bath Rd, Cheltenham, GL53 7LD
Located in the heart of Regency Cheltenham Spa with beautiful grounds, Cheltenham College is a leading coeducational independent school for boarding and day pupils aged 13–18.
Independent Schools Inspectorate Inspection (ISI) 2023 found Cheltenham College excellent in all areas.
Pupils benefit from a dedicated Higher Education and Careers Department during their time at Cheltenham. In 2023, 69% of pupils secured a place at Russell Group universities and all six candidates for Oxford and Cambridge met their offers. The 11 Houses, nine Boarding and two Day, are at the heart of College life and House structure, school life and routines have been developed so that all pupils can play a full part in life at Cheltenham.
Combining a strong academic record with a considerable reputation for sport, drama, music and outward- bound activities, “The school wholeheartedly fulfils its aim to equip pupils to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives by providing an excellent all-round education” (ISI, 2023).
Cheltenham College was recently recognised as Independent Boarding School of the Year by Independent School Parent and published in ‘The Guide to Independent Schools’ Autumn 2022.
Concord College
Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury SY5 7PF
Concord College is a highly academic independent school in England for boarding and day students. Over 80 % of students are international. Winners of the 2023 Independent School of the Year for International Student Experience, we welcome students from around the world and currently have 37 nationalities represented.
Students enjoy fabulous facilities on our safe 73-acre campus in the English countryside. Concord is an international community dedicated to rigour, kindness and creativity and provides a vibrant and friendly environment in which students can flourish and fulfil their potential. Students display mutual respect and promote harmony, decency and trust.
The result is a happy and kind community in which students are polite, articulate and conscientious without ever losing their sense of fun. It is a joyful place.
In 2024 90% of GCSE grades were 7, 8 or 9 and 110 A Level students achieved AAA or better.
Culford School
Culford, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6TX
Set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, Culford School is located near Bury St Edmunds, 30 minutes from Cambridge and 2 hours from London’s international airports.
Combining the warmth and individual attention of a small community with the wider educational opportunities of a larger school, Culford offers exceptional academic, sporting and extra-curricular facilities.
Individual performance programmes in Tennis, Golf and Football seamlessly integrate sport with academic study, and our vibrant Dance, Music and Visual Arts programmes encourage pupils to discover and develop their artistic creativity.
In addition, an exciting partnership with the premiership London football team Tottenham Hotspur will launch in September 2025.
Each year, sixth form pupils progress to top Russell Group, Oxbridge and American universities.
Kingswood School
Kingswood School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school, located near the beautiful city of Bath, offering easy access to transport links for international and expatriate families.
Our distinction as a Top 10 school in the South West of the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024, solidifies our standing as the best performing 11-18 co-educational day and boarding school in the region. With a broad and balanced curriculum supported by outstanding pastoral care, we empower every pupil to find and ignite their potential.
Boarding is at the heart of the School and our home from home boarding community includes bespoke and extensive facilities. Our weeks, both during the school day and at weekends,
are busy, with over 100 co-curricular activities and weekends filled with extensive sports, trips and activities.
Pupils leave us as confident, compassionate and enthusiastic young people, ready to lead meaningful lives in whatever field they choose to follow. Current pupils, families and our alumni speak of the warm, welcoming and inclusive community that Kingswood offers. We would be delighted to share this with you during a visit.
Kingswood School, Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5RG
Lancing College
College, Lancing, BN15 0RW
Embark on an extraordinary educational journey at Lancing College. Located near the vibrant city of Brighton, sitting on 550 acres within the South Downs National Park, our prestigious institution is conveniently situated less than 2 hours from London’s international airports.
Immerse your child in a nurturing environment that cultivates leadership, creativity, and a strong sense of community. Our esteemed faculty, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse international student body, provides the ideal setting for intellectual, cultural, and social growth.
Beyond the classroom, our extensive range of co-curricular activities fosters character building, critical thinking, and a passion for knowledge. From sports
Lancing College
programs to the arts, music, and drama, we offer a well-rounded education that equips students for success on the global stage.
Join the Lancing College family and unlock a world of boundless opportunities. Empower your child to soar to new heights and forge lifelong connections in a nurturing and supportive environment.
LVS Ascot
LVS Ascot, a co-ed day and boarding school for pupils aged 4-19yrs is a home from home set in 26 acres of beautiful parkland, 20 minutes from London Heathrow.
LVS Ascot prides itself on academic excellence, outstanding wellbeing provision and a vibrant co-curricular programme to ensure all our international pupils experience a first -class British education before embarking on university undergraduate programmes. We also offer the NCUK qualification for international students.
In 2024, HRH The King was announced as the new patron of LVS Ascot, following on from the patronage of his late mother HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Recently the school has been shortlisted for two Tes Schools Awards, one of which was the Best Use of Technology. It has also been awarded the status of a Microsoft Showcase School for two years running.
We inspire independence and exceed expectations making us #ProudToBeLVSAscot #LVSAscotAdvantage
London Road, Berkshire, Winkfield Row, Ascot, SL5 8DR
Monkton Combe School
Church Lane, Monkton Combe, Bath BA2 7HG
Monkton Combe School, situated a mile from the historic city of Bath, embraces a lively Christian ethos, and takes pride in its excellent exam results and robust pastoral care. Boarding, integral to the Monkton experience, fosters a unique atmosphere enjoyed by both boarders and day pupils.
Monkton’s exceptional exam results underscore its commitment to unlocking academic potential within a proactive pastoral environment. The school prioritises developing academically strong, enthusiastic learners with a focus on the journey of each individual.
Renowned for its vibrant weekend activities, Monkton offers a broad spectrum of options, making weekends at school an appealing choice for many day
pupils. Sporting activities, social events, competitions, productions, and various gatherings contribute to a bustling social life, providing students with a rich and engaging experience.
Monkton stands out for its outstanding pastoral care, robust moral framework, and a culture of service to others. The values of confidence, integrity, humility, and service are instilled in all pupils, fostering personal growth and a sense of responsibility
Roedean
Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ
Roedean is a world-renowned girls’ senior school located on the South Coast of Brighton, UK.
Positioned in a breathtaking setting with sea views and a charming farm, Roedean offers day and boarding options for girls aged 11 to 18. Beyond traditional academics, Roedean is committed to holistic education, fostering talents, and sparking curiosity.
Our students not only excel academically but are also encouraged to explore their passions and embrace new challenges beyond the classroom.
Just 30 minutes from Gatwick and an hour from London, Roedean is easily accessible. We take pride in our exceptional pastoral care system, ensuring the well-being of every student.
Combined with outstanding academic results, a diverse sports offering, and vibrant visual and performing arts programmes, Roedean provides an environment where students thrive academically, culturally, and socially.
Our school offers a truly holistic education in a caring community, nurturing independent, resilient, happy, and creative young women.
Photo: Kingswood School