Cheltenham College

One of the country’s leading coeducational independent schools for both day and boarding pupils, Cheltenham College offers outstanding all round education for pupils from 3 to 18.

While the Senior School (13 – 18) enjoys its beautiful setting and impressive grounds on Cheltenham’s Bath Road, the adjacent Preparatory School ( 3-13) occupies over 15 acres of woodland splendour, with its own lake and numerous sports fields. The youngest children (3-7) enter the wonderfully vibrant pre-prep department called Kingfishers, which has its own cottage and classrooms within the school.

From the age of 3 right through to 18, pupils are immersed into a community that is not only full to the brim of opportunities but importantly, one that is warm, friendly and utterly inclusive. Pastoral care across both schools is consistently highlighted by parents as excellent and the College takes great pride in treating each and every child as an individual. Children therefore develop not only as learners but as independent, confident and responsible young people with a great many talents and skills. They have confidence to question, to challenge, to think.

The breadth of Cheltenham College’s amenities is reflected in the diversity of activities and clubs; the Preparatory School alone offers over 40 clubs, societies and sports. In the Senior School, no pupil can fail to be tempted by the numerous outdoor pursuits, expeditions, community service activities or Humanitarian Aid projects. Around 30 clubs operate weekly in the Senior School, including shooting, eco ventures, pottery and film-making.

A vast number of sports teams are nationally reputed and every year a substantial number of pupils are chosen to represent England. Music also plays a vital part in school life, with pupils able to learn just about every orchestral instrument imaginable as well as participating in numerous choirs, bands and ensembles. Both schools stage several plays a year, from whole school productions to year group performances, and the art and design work (often on display in Thirlestaine House, the College’s very own 19th century mansion and gallery) is quite literally breathtaking.

Crucially, this focus on balanced education also ensures that Cheltenham College gets the very best out of its pupils academically. In the Preparatory School, there is a 100% Common Entrance pass rate and many pupils gain Senior School scholarships. In College, the more stretching iGCSE is offered in Maths, English Literature, Science, History and Geography and over 95% of school leavers go on to their first choice university.