Welcome to our second newsletter for agents! We are delighted to share news about what has been happening at Monkton Combe School this academic year. I am excited to let you know that Monkton has been named Independent Boarding School of the Year! It is an incredible achievement for our community and your families will be delighted to hear the news.
In addition to the award, it has been a vibrant and eventful Michaelmas Term already at Monkton, full of academic and co-curricular highlights, many of which can be seen in these pages.
If you would like to visit Monkton or contact the Admissions team, please see the information on the final page; we look forward to hearing from you.
WINNER OF THE INDEPENDENT BOARDING SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025
Boarding lies at the heart of life at Monkton. We offer a true 24/7 boarding experience, with the whole school in on Saturdays and a full programme of weekend activities. The campus buzzes with energy and opportunity, and it’s no surprise that many of our day pupils choose to stay late on weekdays - or return on Sundays - to be part of everything that makes Monkton such a ‘home from home’.
The judges commended the distinctive way all pupils, whether day or boarding, are fully involved in the House system. Monkton’s inclusive model creates an outstanding environment where every student is known, valued and inspired.
Monkton’s Interim Principal, James Goodman, accepted the award in London on behalf of the boarding community.
Reflecting on the recognition, James said: “It really is a team effort, with every member of staff contributing in different ways to create the community in which all our students can thrive. This recognition is testament to their dedication, and we are proud to celebrate this achievement with the Monkton community.” He added: “Together, we look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide an outstanding environment for our students.”
Virtual Open Events
Friday 16th January (18:00 GMT) &
Saturday 17th January (10:45 GMT)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
RECENT EVENTS
The team has been busy travelling all across the globe this term, and it was a pleasure to spend time in Japan, Hong Kong, France, Nigeria, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and UAE at a range of agent conferences and parent-facing events. Hannah and Emma enjoyed meeting both new and long-standing agents at the British Boarding Schools Workshop earlier this month. We’d love to catch up with you and talk about all things Monkton so please do get in touch if you would like us to include a visit to you in our new year plans.
LOOKING AHEAD...
Monaco (November)
With James GoodmanInterim Principal
South Korea & Japan (December)
With Emma SymondsHead of Admissions
We have lots of travel planned for the new year. If you would like us to visit you please get in touch!
ACADEMICS AT MONKTON
Watch Here
IN THE NEWS
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOICE
All EAL students at Monkton have the opportunity to participate in the annual Bath International Student Voice public-speaking programme: an individual presentation followed by live audience questions.
Each year begins with a public speaking masterclass, exploring how to structure and deliver an engaging speech. This is followed by a class competition, and then a Monkton Final. The winners of this then attend the Schools Final in Bath.
It’s wonderful to witness the growing confidence of our students through this event.
GCSE RESULTS
Monkton’s GCSE students have once again achieved excellent results, reflecting their dedication and hard work.
59% achieved grades 7-9, an increase of almost 10% from 2024.
37% of grades were 8 & 9.
15% were grade 9.
These results are also testament to the dedication of our teaching staff and the supportive environment that
SENIOR MATHS CHALLENGE
Monkton students have achieved outstanding results in this year’s UK Mathematics Trust Senior Mathematical Challenge, a prestigious national competition designed to test problem-solving and mathematical reasoning skills among students aged 16–18.
Ben K in Year 12, achieved a Gold Certificate and also scored highly enough to qualify for the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 (BMO1). A remarkable achievement reached by only the top few hundred students nationwide. Lisa W in Year 10 also deserves particular mention, gaining a Gold Certificate and was the second-highest scorer in the school, an exceptional accomplishment for her age group. Lisa is also one of a number of our students who will be sitting her Maths GCSE exam early.
A LEVEL RESULTS
Monkton students celebrated outstanding A Level results. This year’s cohort attained top grades across a wide range of subjects. Nearly 40% of students achieved A*-A grades, over 70% attaining A*-B, with a 100% pass rate.
The range of next steps beyond Monkton remains as diverse as ever. This year’s offers include Oxbridge, Russell Group, G5 and overseas universities, music conservatoires, drama and art schools, and the vast majority of pupils securing their first choice offers.
MONKTON STUDENTS ACHIEVE SPORTING SUCCESS IN THE NEWS
Monkton is delighted to celebrate the outstanding sporting achievements of its students across both the Senior and Prep schools.
Monkton Prep pupils Callum L-R, Charlotte O, William S and Freddie S achieved stunning success representing Team GB at the recent European Pentathlon Championships in Turkey. Taking part in Pentathlon-based sports against children from across the continent, they brought back an amazing 21 medals!
Bath Rugby stars Jonathan Joseph, David Attwood and Francois Van Wyk delivered an exceptional pre-season at Monkton, giving the First XV a strong start to their matches. The ongoing collaboration with Bath Rugby provides our players with opportunities to learn from experienced, high-profile professionals.
Two Year 12 students, Rosie and Grace, have been selected for Team Bath’s prestigious Athlete Development Centres (ADC) programme. The ADC initiative identifies and supports promising young netballers, providing them with access to expert coaching, mentoring, and resources to further enhance their skills and potential.
Meanwhile, Year 7 pupil, Jaden G, has officially signed with Southampton FC. Jaden trains with the club three times a week and recently took part in a fixture against Chelsea FC.
PADEL COMES TO MONKTON
We are excited to announce that starting in January, Padel will be added as a games option for Monkton pupils.
Following increased interest and the sport’s rapid global growth, Monkton has listened to pupils and is partnering with local companies to give them access to high-quality facilities.
OLD MONKTONIANS (OM) SPOTLIGHT
OM ANNOUNCED AS NEW PRINCIPAL
Monkton Combe School has announced the appointment of OM Bradley Salisbury, current Head of Dean Close School, Cheltenham, as Chris Wheeler’s successor from January 2026.
ROSIE BROWN RECEIVES CBE
OM Rosie Brown, Co-CEO of COOK, which creates high-quality, ready-made meals while championing social impact and inclusive employment, has been awarded a CBE for her work supporting former prisoners into employment.
CHAPEL CENTENARY
This year, we’ve had the joy of celebrating 100 years of our Chapel building — a place that has stood not just at the physical heart of Monkton, but at its spiritual heart too. Through a series of special services and events, we’ve been reminded of the Chapel’s significance in the lives of generations of Monktonians.
WORLD CHAMPION
We’re incredibly proud of Old Monktonian Isabel Wilkins, a two-time Freestyle Football World Champion and four-time Guinness World Record holder.
Isabel now features in the Guinness World Records: Football Edition 2026 alongside stars such as Ronaldo, Bellingham, and Haaland. She not only introduces the book but also shares her own Freestyle Challenge, inspiring readers worldwide.
BOARDING
BOARDING
Boarding is at the very heart of Monkton. We have seven boarding houses: Hatton at the Prep School and six further boarding houses (three for boys and three for girls) at the Senior School. One of Monkton’s strengths is the breadth of activities available to pupils at weekends.
SPOTLIGHT ON EDDYSTONE HOUSE
We are the Robinson Family (Andy and Sarah along with our children, Phoebe 10, Toal 9, Beata 6 and Harris 3). We lead Eddystone House and have been part of the Eddy family for 7 years.
Eddy boys come from all over the world and are as varied in their personalities and interests as they are in their nationalities but they also have many things in common - they throw themselves into everything. They act with integrity, they work hard, they include everyone and they like to have fun! We enjoy singing and dancing together, playing sport and games together, eating together and conversations together round our kitchen table or table tennis table!
Eddy is a family and we love that you can walk into the common room and find our 6 year old doing cartwheels with a Year 9 boy and our 9 year old talking about rugby with a Year 13!
PREP SCHOOL BOARDING
At the Prep School, Hatton House provides a warm, family-oriented environment for around 50 boarders, where care, connection, and community are at the heart of everyday life.
EXEATS
We are delighted to announce that, following feedback from agents, exeats are now optional for both Prep and Senior School. Students choosing to stay in school will enjoy a relaxed programme over these weekends.
Lent Term Exeat DatesFriday 23rd January 2026 Friday 13th March 2026
KEY INFORMATION
WHERE WE ARE TERM DATES
Term dates for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years can be found on our website. To view, please click here.
Michaelmas Term end date - Thursday 11th December 2025
Lent Term boarders return - Tuesday 6th January 2026
Lent Term start date - Wednesday 7th January 2026
VISITORS GUIDE
We have created a Visitors Guide to help you and your families make the most of your time in our beautiful corner of the world. To view, please click here.
