UK boarding schools with global presence and academic excellence

Boarding schools in the UK are renowned for their long history of academic excellence, and solid global presence, thanks to their focus on providing an all-rounded education and boarding experience especially for international students. They come in as a handy solution for parents with busy schedules but want the best education possible to fit around their children’s needs as well.

The UK is well-known for their excellent boarding schools with a rich history of providing pastoral care and strong academic excellence.

In a boarding school, pupils are well cared for and supervised by boarding house staff. In addition to classroom learning, students can participate in a host of activities that keep them physically and mentally stimulated. Such schools take pupil integration seriously too – helping international students adjust to what may seem to be an unfamiliar home. What is more, having a ready group of international boarding students will help new pupils settle more readily and happily since they share common languages and cultures.

That is why excellent UK boarding schools with strong international support via pastoral care and co-curricular activities are often preferred for the discerning parent who wishes to have a comfortable yet nurturing boarding environment for their child. These few boarding schools are worth taking a look at:

Brentwood School

Brentwood School provides both boys and girls with an education of great depth and breadth, backed by 400-year-old values. Source: Brentwood School

Brentwood School is one of the UK’s leading independent schools for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 with a history spanning almost 500 years. Values are at the centre of everything it does. Its school motto – “Virtue, Learning, Manners” — guides its core purpose of helping young people discover and develop their talents with both self-assurance and humility

Brentwood School proudly practises the “Diamond Model”: mixed-gender learning until age 11 and in Sixth Form classes, and single-gender classrooms for those aged between 11 to 16. Tailoring both teaching and pastoral care more specifically to each gender’s needs helps students become more mature academically and personally.

That is why when both genders return to Sixth Form together, they produce spectacular academic results – the Brentwood average UCAS points score is 156 (equivalent to AAA at A Level), and an average of six students enter Oxford or Cambridge each year. The rest head to Russell Group or Top 20 universities. Sixth Formers can follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or BTEC Extended Diploma (Sport and Business) as well. 

Here, students live in the safe and welcoming family-like Hough House and Mill Hill House and thrive in an impressive campus with truly exceptional facilities. Within its Sports Centre and Dance Academy — and more — students take part in an exceptional co-curriculum programme, ensuring their education is as all-rounded as it can be. 

If you are looking for a fantastic boarding school with solid academic performance and reputation, consider applying to Brentwood School today.

Taunton School

Taunton School offers a rich learning experience in beautiful Somerset. Source: Taunton School, Facebook

With its wide and green 56-acre campus located just on Taunton’s edge within Somerset, it is hard to miss Taunton School. Offering a challenging yet nurturing community environment, their students are constantly inspired to succeed, thanks to the global and forward-thinking Taunton philosophy and focus on student wellbeing. 

This IB World School envisions their pupils to have a genuine educational experience based on five pillars: Academic, Pastoral, Co-Curricular, Global Outlook and Community. In addition, the extensive range of co-curricular activities – clubs, activities, sports – allows the students to enjoy campus life to the fullest possible.

What’s more, Taunton’s excellent pastoral care — by professionals partnering with parents — lets the students feel as a valued part of a wide family. Throw in personalised learning options enhanced by faculty who are experts in their respective fields – the A Levels, IB Diploma and BTEC – and you can see why Taunton School is “a terrific all-rounder” in the UK Good Schools Guide review.

Altogether, Taunton takes pride in offering a well-balanced education that creates lifelong learners with curious minds, ever wanting to know more.

Westbourne School

Westbourne School students enjoy beautiful coastal sights. Source: Westbourne School, Facebook

With an enviable reputation as the #1 school in all UK League Tables – a record they proudly hold since 2015 – and named IB School of the Year 2019, Westbourne School offers a top-rate education in one of the UK’s most supportive learning environments. The beautiful coastal town of Penarth, Wales is an additional bonus for students since it is a top-10 place to stay in the UK.

With an eight-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, tutorial style approach, open-door policy and easy access to support such as one-to-one classes and private follow-ups, Westbourne’s students enjoy an unparalleled learning experience. Those needing more English language support can attend ESL lessons during Autumn Term weekends.

On top of this, their co-educational Boarding House provides a safe living environment complemented by Houseparents with experience in looking after international boarders. Home-cooked meals, homework clubs, after-hours support on top of after-homework games, mixed activities and excursions – all contribute to Westbourne’s tight-knit family-like atmosphere.

Besides the IB Diploma Programme, Westbourne’s students can opt for the One Year Pre-IB Programme. All in all, Westbourne School – with its outstanding pastoral care, boarding support and excellent academics within a smaller school setting – offers a distinct experience for their students.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International