Gloucestershire is home to some of the most prestigious and historical independent schools in the country, with impressive academic performance and pastoral care, not to mention first-class facilities.
Whether you’re looking for a co-educational; a boy's or girl's school; a day or boarding school; a pre-preparatory, preparatory, senior or Sixth Form; SoGlos’s comprehensive guide spans some truly exceptional institutions for children aged from two to 18.
Parents looking for a stunning location, a strong faith foundation, diverse extra-curricular programmes, and of course, outstanding academic results, are spoilt for choice by the range of independent schools in Gloucestershire — which pride themselves on producing nurtured, confident, well-rounded pupils — and even some famous alumni.
Cheltenham Ladies' College
Description
The world-renowned Cheltenham Ladies’ College has been educating girls from across the globe for more than 160 years. The boarding and day school welcomes girls from 11 through to 18 to its diverse community of over 850 students. By creating an educational environment that’s supportive, challenging, innovative and creative, CLC helps pupils achieve success both inside and outside the classroom.
The independent school consistently achieves outstanding results in GCSE, A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations; with the school being named the South West Independent School of the Decade in 2021. Class sizes are small and encourage active participation, while expert teaching and regular feedback help pupils realise their full potential. Pupils can also benefit from the extensive range of co-curricular activities, from music clubs and creative societies to sports.
Specialist areas
Pupils are invited to pursue a broad and varied curriculum, with engineering, enterprise and technology; language acquisition; and philosophical enquiry offered alongside the core subjects of maths; English language and literature; sciences; and modern languages.
SoGlos loves
Cheltenham Ladies’ College students benefit from a state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Centre, complete with two sports halls; a 58-station fitness gym with free weights and spin area; multi-purpose activity and dance studio; squash courts; swimming pool; and climbing wall, too.
Age range
From 11 to 18 years old.
Fees
Fees cost from £15,050 for boarding and £9,900 for day pupils in the Lower and Upper College per term; and £16,900 for boarding and £11,300 for day pupils in Sixth Form per term.
Address
Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3EP
Alumnae
Actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas; artist Bridget Riley; author Robin Stevens; scientist and chair of the Science Museum Group, Dame Mary Archer; and Amber Rudd, former home secretary and secretary of state for work and pensions.
Telephone number
(01242) 520691
enquiries@cheltladiescollege.org
Website
Social media
See facebook.com/CheltLadiesColl or instagram.com/cheltladiescoll
Cheltenham independent schools
Berkhampstead School and Day Nursery
Description
Founded in 1945, Berkhampstead School on Pittville Circus Road is a non-selective independent day school, which welcomes children aged three to 11; as well as little ones from as young as three months in its Day Nursery.
The Cheltenham school not only prides itself on providing a warm, happy and encouraging environment, but offers a centre of educational excellence where children can gain strong literacy and reading skills, as well as confidence in handling numbers and the opportunity to achieve high standards in music, creative arts and competitive sports.
Berkhampstead's latest ISI inspection in November 2023 was superb, recognising pupils’ confidence, strong self-esteem and considerate and respectful behaviour, while its Day Nursery was rated 'Outstanding' in all areas. It also won the title of Independent School of the Year at the 2022 Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards!
Specialist areas
From day one, children at Berkhampstead are taught by subject specialist teachers in music, PE and French, benefiting from specialist teaching in all subjects from Year Three onwards — with an expert team of teachers drawing on their individual expertise to help each pupil get the most out of their learning experience.
Class sizes are small, which keeps pupils happy, motivated and engaged and leads to fantastic academic results. A large percentage of pupils go on to achieve places and scholarships at top grammar and independent secondary schools.
SoGlos loves
Children are encouraged to explore their passions through Berkhampstead's huge range of lunchtime and after school extracurricular activities, spanning music and sports clubs to a rolling programme of activities that includes gardening club, team-building and arts and crafts.
The school also has its own eco committee, ‘Berky Gets Greener’, which is made up of student representatives from each class. Together, they campaign for green improvements across the school, having implemented everything from motion-sensor lights to improved recycling methods, and regularly take part in school events — even growing their own plants for the summer fete!
Age range
Berkhampstead is open to students from three months to 11 years old across its Day Nursery, pre-preparatory and preparatory provisions.
Fees
For the 2023/24 academic year, fees start at £3,225 per term for reception, with an increase in price per year group — with current fees for Year 6 pupils at £4,635 per term.
Address
Pittville Circus Road, Cheltenham, GL52 2QA
Telephone
(01242) 523263
admissions@berkhampsteadschool.co.uk
Website
Social media
See facebook.com/berkhampstead, twitter.com/berkycheltenham and instagram.com/berkhampstead_school
Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Prep School
Description
Providing a well-rounded education for boys and girls aged three to 18, Cheltenham College is a leading independent day and boarding school with separate prep and senior school facilities and has been named Independent Boarding School of the Year 2022-2023.
Set in 75 acres of grounds in the heart of Cheltenham, the school engenders a vibrant sense of community, whilst consistently delivering academic excellence at both prep and senior school level.
Both Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Prep offer a broad curriculum with personalised support from specialist teachers. Senior students are encouraged to develop their academic interests across the arts, humanities and sciences – and there are plenty of co-curricular opportunities for students of all ages to pursue outside of the classroom, too.
Specialist areas
With first-class sporting facilities and outstanding coaching, delivered by ex-professional players, Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Prep students are given the level of support and attention needed to excel in a variety of sports, including rugby, equestrian, cricket and shooting.
Cheltenham College also offers a talented athlete programme, providing structured training, mentoring and nutritional guidance for elite sporting students — helping them to succeed in their chosen field, from club to international level.
SoGlos loves
With a diverse range of co-curricular clubs and activities on offer, Cheltenham Prep students are encouraged to follow their passions. From skiing and street dancing to baking and creative writing, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
At Cheltenham College, voluntary work is actively encouraged and Wednesday afternoons are set aside for senior students to take part in community activities and pursue charitable causes, if they wish. Students are also given the chance to join the Combined Cadet Force, a testament to the college’s long connection with the military.
Age range
Cheltenham Pre-Prep covers ages three to seven years, while Cheltenham Prep welcomes pupils aged seven to 13. Cheltenham College is for 13 to 18-year-olds.
Fees
For Cheltenham Prep School students, fees per term start at £4,970 for day students and £7,540 for
boarders; while the cost for Cheltenham College students starts at £11,330 for day students and £15,100
for boarders.
Alumni
Gloucester Rugby player Ollie Thorley; British racing driver Jamie Chadwick; and Irish jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Address
Cheltenham Prep School is on Thirlestaine Road in Cheltenham, GL53 7AB, while Cheltenham College is on Bath Road in Cheltenham, GL53 7LD.
Telephone
For Cheltenham Prep School, call (01242) 522697 and for Cheltenham College, call (01242) 265600.
Contact Cheltenham Prep School at prepadmissions@cheltenhamcollege.org and Cheltenham College at admissions@cheltenhamcollege.org
Website
Social media
See facebook.com/cheltcollege and instagram.com/cheltcollege for Cheltenham College; and instagram.com/cheltprep for Cheltenham Prep School.
The Richard Pate School
Description
The Richard Pate School is a co-educational independent day school for three to 11 year olds, with approximately 300 pupils across its Nursery, Prep and Junior departments. It teaches all national curriculum foundation subjects, with a strong special educational needs provision.
Set on an idyllic, semi-rural campus in Leckhampton, the school benefits from 11 and a half acres of space and impressive educational facilities, with plenty of opportunities to explore the natural world through its adventure playground, woodland area and dedicated conservation space for environmental studies.
Celebrating each individual student’s strengths and attributes, the school also works closely with parents to help them choose the right onward destination for their child, with a large percentage of pupils progressing to achieve places and scholarships at leading grammar and independent schools.
Specialist areas
The Richard Pate School has invested in its specialist facilities over the years, which include an art studio, science laboratory, music centre and all-weather, floodlit astro pitch — allowing teachers to offer a broad and varied education to its pupils.
The school also has a diverse programme of extracurricular activities to help children develop their passions. From coding and ukulele to competitive sport, sessions operate during lunch and after school.
SoGlos loves
While its academic offering is certainly appealing to families seeking an enriching education, The Richard Pate School prides itself on its sense of community, above all. There’s a great family atmosphere between pupils, teachers and parents, as children are taught to value and respect themselves and others in a supportive educational environment.
Age range
From three to 11 years old.
Fees
Per term, fees start at £3,189 for reception, with an increase in price per year group. Current fees for Year 6 pupils per term are £4,587. Fees are inclusive of equipment, school lunches and swimming lessons.
Breakfast club and after school care provisions are also available from 7.45am until 5.30pm, with breakfast club costing £5.50 per session and after school care costing £10 per session. Breakfast and a light tea is included for all children.
Alumni
Double Olympic gold medalist and rower Alex Gregory MBE; children’s author Vivian French; and Amy Weaver, the youngest female trainer in UK horse racing history.
Address
Southern Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 9RP.
Telephone
(01242) 522086
admissions@richardpate.co.uk.
Website
Social media
See instagram.com/richardpate_school and facebook.com/richardpateschool.
Dean Close School
Description
Dean Close School is a co-educational day and boarding school, located in the heart of Cheltenham. Situated in 50 acres of picturesque grounds, with a blend of original Victorian buildings and modern purpose-built facilities all on one campus, the school offers fantastic academic and extra-curricular opportunities for pupils aged two to 18.
The school aims to get the best out of pupils academically, while also broadening their horizons through varied clubs and societies and a focus on developing key skills for the future, which are weaved into the curriculum across all ages.
With its strong Christian ethos, Dean Close seeks to provide a supportive environment for learning and self-discovery, encouraging each member of its community to flourish and realise their greatest potential.
Specialist areas
Dean Close has earned a national reputation for hockey, rugby and equestrianism. Pupils can benefit from the school’s outstanding sports provision — with dedicated directors for each major sport — and facilities including a sports centre with a high-tech fitness suite, a 25-metre indoor pool, a climbing wall and a rifle range.
Meanwhile, the two-storey art school provides specialist studio spaces for creative pupils; music lovers have access to a range of amenities, from a recording studio to a concert hall; and, renowned for its drama, Dean Close is also home to the Bacon Theatre.
The school is home to the world-renowned Carducci Quartet leading the Dean Close Strings Department — and is the choir school for the choristers of Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum, too.
SoGlos loves
With around 300 preparatory school pupils and 500 senior school pupils, Dean Close is small enough for everyone to enjoy close bonds with peers and get fully involved in school life. At the same time, it’s large enough to have a strong community of boarders and day pupils, as well as first-class sporting and creative arts opportunities.
Saturdays are traditionally for clubs and sports at independent schools, but at Dean Close, pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8 attend Five Time. This initiative focuses on learning five key skills: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, compassion and communication, through a range of extracurricular activities such as quidditch, American football, first aid and gel plate printing, offering something that is distinctly different from the regular academic routine of weekday lessons.
Age range
From two to 18 years old.
Fees
Per term, full day fees for the 2023-24 academic year range from £3,125 a term for pre-prep pupils starting in Reception; £4,445 a term for preparatory school pupils starting in Year 3; and £9,595 a term for senior school pupils and sixth formers in Years 9 to 13.
Dean Close also offers boarding, flexi boarding and international boarding options.
Alumni
Issy Bailey, Paralympian GB pistol shooter; Lloyd Evans, Gloucester Rugby player; and Brian Jones, musician and founding member of The Rolling Stones.
Address
Dean Close Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory Schools are on Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6QS. Dean Close Senior School is on Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6HE.
Telephone
Call Dean Close Schools on (01242) 258000.
For Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, email preprepadmissions@deanclose.org.uk; for Dean Close Preparatory School, email dcpsoffice@deanclose.org.uk and for Dean Close Senior School, email registrar@deanclose.org.uk.
Website
Social media
See facebook.com/DeanCloseSchool and instagram.com/DeanCloseSchool.
Cotswolds independent schools
Rendcomb College
Description
Situated on an estate on the outskirts of Cirencester, Rendcomb College is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. Although the school has evolved since its inception in 1920, it remains true to founder Frederick Wills’ original values of providing an inclusive and broad-ranging education for its pupils, while working with families to ensure students have realistic academic ambitions.
Sport and music co-curricular activities include choir, fencing, orchestra, martial arts and drama, while Rendcomb’s Performing Arts Centre provides an industry standard performance and rehearsal space for students. The school’s curriculum helps pupils identify their strengths and aptitudes, nurture respect for individualism and promote collaboration, while providing a pastoral framework that fosters physical, emotional and spiritual well-being to help prepare pupils for life beyond school.
SoGlos loves
Encouraging respect for the environment is part of Rendcomb College’s ethos and its 230 acres of parkland provide ample room for pupils to play, explore and learn outdoors, with the Forest School for Junior School pupils and a dedicated Outdoor Education area for Senior School pupils.
Age range
From three to 18 years-old.
Fees
The Junior School ranges between £2,650 and £4,999 per term; and the Senior School between £7,100 and £9,275 per term for day students and £11,395 and £14,785 per term for boarders; while for Sixth Form students, fees are £6,850 per term for day students and £14,785 for boarders. Occasional boarding is also available from an additional £45 per night.
Alumni
Chairman of Sainsbury’s, David Tyler; veteran jockey Richard Dunwoody; historian David Vaisey and yacht designer Angus Primrose.
Address
Rendcomb College, Cirencester, GL7 7HA
Telephone
(01285) 831213
Social media
See facebook.com/Rendcombcollege, twitter.com/RendcombCollege and instagram.com/rendcombcollege.
Gloucester independent schools
The King's School Gloucester
Description
The King’s School Gloucester is an independent day school for girls and boys aged three to 18, which benefits from an impressive location and a special relationship with Gloucester Cathedral, which is located just next door and is where daily assemblies are held. The impressive campus blends historic buildings with state-of-the art facilities and welcomes pupils of all religious faiths and of none, with the school offering a chance to achieve academic excellence alongside a wide range of co-curricular activities and outstanding pastoral care.
Founded in 1541 by King Henry VIII as one of only seven cathedral schools, the historic institution now has over 740 pupils across its Pre-school, Junior and Senior Schools and Sixth Form. It fosters a pupil-centred environment, where students benefit from small class sizes and a broad range of academic subjects, allowing each pupil to reach their full potential.
Specialist areas
The King’s School Gloucester instils a lifelong love of learning with stimulating and engaging lessons, while also encouraging pupils to pursue their own passions through the wide range of co-curricular activities on offer. The school’s specialist teaching staff have the time to stretch the gifted and talented pupils while offering extra support to those pupils who need it. King’s also has a wide choice of sports, music, languages and performing arts lessons and clubs, to ensure that there is something for every child to enjoy.
SoGlos loves
The King’s School Gloucester’s scholarships and bursaries recognise and reward pupils who show exceptional talent in their academic performance, sporting, musical, dramatic or artistic abilities. Scholarships provide a significant reduction in school fees and run annually, offering entry into Years 7, 9 and 12.
This includes its prestigious King's School Choristers experience, where talented singers can audition to become members of the Gloucester Cathedral choir and receive a substantial discount on school fees during their time as a chorister, performing at cathedral services throughout the year and taking part in events like the Three Choirs Festival.
Age range
From three to 18 years old.
Fees
Per term, fees are from £3,060 for Reception to £7,890 for Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. The King's School Gloucester also offers a sibling discount from five to 25 per cent for children from the same family whilst they are all in attendance at the school.
Address
Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG
Alumni
Actor Simon Pegg; BBC Breakfast presenter, Charlie Stayt; conductor with the English National Opera, Edward Gardner; rugby player, John Brain; and SLG founder Miles Dunkley.
Telephone
(01452) 337337
Website
Social media
Visit instagram.com/kingsschoolglos, facebook.com/KingsSchoolGlos and twitter.com/KingsSchoolGlos
Stroud independent schools
Wycliffe College
Description
Founded in 1882, Wycliffe College in Stonehouse is a co-educational day and boarding school offering all the advantages of a contemporary environment in a beautiful rural location just 90 minutes from London. The school boasts a broad curriculum mixing traditional and modern subjects to help all students achieve their full potential and encourages each child to pursue an interest outside of the classroom – whether it’s on stage, in the choir, on the sports field or up a mountain.
Wycliffe College’s facilities include a library that’s a haven for independent learning; chapel; floodlit Astroturf sports surface; swimming pool; high-tech gym; two basketball courts; tennis courts; performing arts centre; and even a boat house for its strong rowing programme. It also has an impressive squash programme with support from renowned coaches. Wycliffe is proud to offer its students support from an exceptional pastoral team too, as well as a house system which promotes a strong sense of community, friendship and healthy competition among students.
Specialist areas
Wycliffe College boasts excellent sports performance alongside an impressive music, drama and art provision. The school places strong emphasis on personal development, pastoral care and pupil performance across the board, with high ratings from the Good Schools Guide.
SoGlos loves
The diversity of subjects offered at Wycliffe, which includes GCSE Japanese; Fine Art, Music and Psychology A Levels; BTEC National Diplomas (equivalent to two A Levels) in Business; Digital Production; and Sport. Plus, Wycliffe also provides ACT and SAT preparation, required to gain entry to American universities.
Age range
From three to 19 years old.
Fees
Wycliffe Preparatory School costs from £3,685 per term for day pupils and from £8,395 per term for boarders; while Wycliffe Senior School is from £8,600 per term for day pupils and from £14,975 per term for boarders.
Alumni
Rugby player Charlie Sharples; actor William Moseley; cricketer Alex Gidman; and singer-songwriter Al Stewart.
Address
Bristol Road, Stonehouse, GL10 2AF.
Telephone
(01453) 822432
senior@wycliffe.co.uk.
Website
Social media
See facebook.com/WycliffeCollege and instagram.com/wycliffecollege.
Independent schools beyond the border
Malvern St James Girls' School
Description
Set at the foot of the beautiful Malvern Hills, Malvern St James is a leading independent day and boarding school for girls aged three to 18. Advocating for women’s education since 1893, the school encourages its girls to be ambitious and confident, to follow their passions, and thrive beyond school.
The school is renowned for its academic prowess, with MSJ girls consistently achieving top A Level and GCSE results — with many progressing to study STEM subjects at university.
The prep school is based in the same building as the senior school, meaning MSJ girls of all ages are able to benefit from the specialist educational facilities and resources. From science laboratories to top-class art and sporting amenities, there is something for everyone at Malvern St James.
Offering an all-through education, Malvern St James supports its students from pre-prep to Sixth Form, with class sizes kept small at a ratio of one teacher to eight girls. The school engenders a supportive ‘home from home’ environment, with MSJ girls able to build meaningful, long-term relationships with staff both academically and pastorally.
Specialist areas
The school prepares its girls for fulfilling careers, all while encouraging them to cultivate a range of interests and lead a balanced and happy lifestyle.
Its vast enrichment programme helps every girl to discover her passion, offering extra-curricular languages, leadership opportunities, music, photography and clubs for aspiring engineers and scientists — to name a few.
SoGlos loves
Making it a fantastic choice for local families, Malvern St James operates a minibus service which has routes in Gloucestershire. And, in addition to the main school bus which departs at around 6.10pm, the school offers an earlier minibus home at 4.10pm.
Places on the school bus are available on a termly basis and can be shared between two families if pupils only need to use the route one way.
Age range
From three to 18 years old.
Fees
For the 2023/24 academic year, day pupil fees range from £2,915 per term in Reception through to £7,525 per term in Sixth Form; while full boarding fees range from £9,335 per term in Year 3 through to £15,410 per term in Sixth Form.
Malvern St James also offers flexi and weekly boarding options to suit individual family needs.
Address
Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3BA
Telephone number
(01684) 892288
admissions@malvernstjames.co.uk
Website
Social media
See facebook/MalvernStJames, instagram.com/malvernstjmes and twitter.com/MalvernStJames
Malvern College
Description
Britain’s famous Malvern College,
founded in 1865, is an independent school known for academic excellence. For
more than 150 years, Malvern College has been committed to providing
world-class, high-quality education. Since 1992, the college has also offered
the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to Sixth Form pupils as an
alternative to A levels. Approximately 50 per cent of pupils take each course of study,
allowing the college to offer pupils a real choice of subjects.
Malvern College is based at the foot of the Malvern Hills, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has approximately 665 pupils, of whom 80 per cent board at the school. The campus has 11 boarding houses, which foster a home-from-home environment - a key part of a Malvern education.
Specialist areas
The school creates opportunities to foster transferable skills, confidence building and leadership initiative through its pupil-led super-curriculum and co-curriculum of sports, music and drama. Pupils regularly excel at cricket, sport and outdoor pursuits.
SoGlos loves
Malvern College has overseas schools. These include: Malvern College Qingdao, Malvern College Chengdu, Malvern College Egypt, Malvern College Pre-School Hong
Kong, Malvern College Hong Kong and Malvern College Switzerland. Malvern College Tokyo and Malvern College
Barbados are scheduled to open in September 2023.
Age range
Malvern College educates youngsters from Year 9 through to Year 13.
Fees
Fees cost from £13,900 for boarding and £9,325 for day pupils per term.
Address
Malvern College, College Road,
Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3DF
Alumni
Professor Sir Chris Whitty (England’s Chief Medical Officer), Francis William Aston (chemist, Nobel Prize winner 1922), James Meade (economist, Nobel Prize winner 1977), C. S. Lewis (academic and author of The Chronicles of Narnia), Baron MacLaurin of Knebworth (former chairman and CEO of Tesco, chairman of Vodafone and the ECB), Baron Weatherill (former Speaker of the British House of Commons), Jeremy Paxman (author and broadcaster), Reginald Erskine ‘Tip’ Foster (the only man to captain England in both cricket and football), Dominic Sandbrook (historian, author, columnist and television presenter), Mark Pougatch (chief sport presenter for ITV Sport), Giles Foden (author of The Last King of Scotland - a book and film), Ahmed Rashid (journalist and best selling foreign policy author) and WH Auden (poet and teacher at the Downs School).
Telephone number
(01684) 581 500
enquiries@malverncollege.org.uk
Website
Social media
See twitter.com/malverncollege or facebook.com/MalvernCollege or instagram.com/malverncollege or tiktok.com/@malverncollegeuk
