Sidcot School A GSG School
- Sidcot School
Oakridge Lane
Winscombe
North Somerset
BS25 1PD - Head: James Jones
- T 01934 843102
- F 01934 844181
- E admissions@sidcot.org.uk
- W www.sidcot.org.uk/
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 18.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: North Somerset
- Pupils: 619; sixth formers: 123
- Religion: Quaker
- Fees: Day £9,600 - £20,280; Boarding £33,090 - £37,530 pa
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
The Quaker values at the heart of the school’s moral compass are powerful and a major draw for parents seeking an education based on empathy and integrity as much as academic excellence. The pastoral care, gentle approach to learning and determination to ensure inclusivity make this a kind and accepting community where opportunities are broad and curious exploration of each wholeheartedly encouraged. This is a school where learning is fun not forced, persuasive not pressured – ‘absolutely not a hothouse,’ glowed parents. A sense of calm pervades, sheep quietly grazing in the central paddock, rows of bulbs in the cottage garden and…
What the school says...
Sidcot is an independent day and boarding school which encourages children to make a difference in the world through teaching them to live their lives adventurously, to question and to take action. We celebrate individuality and challenge our students to think with greater depth to reach a better understanding of themselves in relation to the world we live in.
Sidcot is one of only a few schools in the South West where students can study either A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Sidcot is an inspirational environment with fantastic facilities spread over 160 acres of rolling Mendip Hills. There are activities everyday that utilise our stunning Arts Centre, Equestrian and Leisure Centres to ensure students can stretch their creative, sporty or adventurous side.
We set out to provide a creative and stretching education that inspires children to want to learn. To achieve this, our curriculum is shaped to meet government requirements but without an exam obsessed and prescriptive syllabus. Our curriculum and teaching methods are designed to foster students natural intellectual curiosity and creativity. We want to educate our students, rather than simply train them to pass tests. Throughout their time at Sidcot School we help students to develop the self-motivation that will enable them to take responsibility for their own learning. In this way, we equip them with the skills and attitudes they will need for further education and lifelong learning. ...Read more
Do you know this school?
The schools we choose, and what we say about them, are founded on parents’ views. If you know this school, please share your views with us.
Please login to post a comment.
Curricula
International Baccalaureate: diploma - the diploma is the familiar A-level equivalent.
Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Fencing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since January 2024, James Jones, previously deputy head at Wycombe Abbey. After reading history at the University of Sheffield he became an assistant housemaster at Brighton College before moving to Bromsgrove School as a teacher and senior boarding housemaster.
Junior head since 2021, Catherine Dykes, previously head of EYFS and assistant head pastoral at the school. Well liked by parents, ‘very on top of everything, approachable and professional’ and pupils adore her: ‘absolutely brilliant!’ repeated time and time again.
Entrance
Gentle testing of numeracy and literacy accompanies a two-day taster session for the junior school. Non-selective with children joining at every stage. A ‘surge’ in new starters usually in year 5 seeking to avoid exam pressures in other settings.
Senior school also non-selective; informal assessments in maths and English...
Subscribe now for instant access to read The Good Schools Guide review.
Already subscribed? Login here.
Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
We are a mainstream school with a Learning Support Department (dyslexia). One to one tuition is available for literacy and maths, additionally we can offer support for maths in a classroom setting with an LSA. We can also offer provision for mild Asperger's, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, speech and language difficulties. 09-09
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
| Aspergers | |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyscalculia | Y |
| Dysgraphia | Y |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | Y |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | Y |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Downs Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
The Good Schools Guide newsletter
Educational insight in your inbox. Sign up for our popular newsletters.