Westonbirt School A GSG School

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

Polo

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmistress

Since 2013, Natasha Dangerfield BA, QTS. After gaining a degree in PE and English from the University of Brighton, she started her career in some illustrious independent schools, first teaching games at girls’ schools (Downe House and North Foreland Lodge) before whisking up to Scotland to become director of pastoral care at Gordonstoun. She subsequently became deputy head at Harrogate Ladies’ College before taking the headship at Westonbirt.

Mrs Dangerfield is part granddame with her palatial office in the school’s Grade I listed mansion (think high stucco ceiling, enormous sash windows, mahogany furniture and roaring open fire) and penchant for lacrosse, and part kindly relative with her Kit Kat catch ups and warm demeanour. Pupils and parents all speak fondly of her. Sixth formers talk about how she helps to ‘guide us towards just the right thing for each of us’. This friendly persona is tempered by formidable dynamism and drive that have helped transform a small all-girls school into the larger co-ed school that it is today.

The transformational change at Westonbirt has not left much room for hobbies apart from some brisk dog walks and spending time with her three adult children. ‘Maybe school is my hobby?’ she mused, before adding, ‘Is that sad?’ No, we thought, there is nothing ‘sad’ about Mrs D.

Leaving in December 2025.

Head of the prep school since January 2024 is Rebecca Mitchell (MA in geography and education from University of Cambridge). She has in fact come full circle – she worked at Westonbirt prep as a teacher just over ten years ago, before moving to Heywood Prep (another Wishford Education school) as its head for seven years. Now she’s back, and excited to be in a through school. She’s using her extensive knowledge of curriculum and assessment development to prepare pupils for life in the senior school. When time allows, she spends time with her children (who are at Westonbirt) and is also a keen dog walker.

Entrance

‘Proudly non-selective’ is Mrs Dangerfield’s description of Westonbirt, but checks are still in place to ensure a child will thrive. Nursery starts from two (choice of term time or extended care). In the prep, pupils are required to do two taster days (two rather than one to alleviate any first day nerves) alongside submitting school references and reports. For senior school, main entry point is year 7 with smaller numbers arriving in year 9. Other places available on an ad-hoc basis. Assessment is a CAT4 test, handwritten task and interview, plus references. Sixth form joiners need a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 5 or five GCSEs at grade 4 (or overseas equivalents). Grade 6s required in subjects to be studied at A level if previously taken at GCSE.

Most join from other Wishford group preps or local primary schools. UK boarders come from all over nationally and internationals from over 20 countries, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Nigeria, Mexico and Germany.

Exit

Approximately 90 per cent of prep pupils move on to the senior school. Those that don’t head to local grammars (Gloucestershire has quite a few), state secondaries (Malmesbury School is popular) or other independents in Bath.

About 20 per cent leave after GCSEs to head to different independents (like Cheltenham College), state secondaries, local colleges or their internationals returning home. Post A levels, most go to Russell Group universities (Exeter, Durham, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Nottingham) with one or two Oxbridge candidates, medics, dentists or vets per year (one to Oxbridge in 2023 and one medic and dentist in 2023 and 2024). Praise for careers advice from sixth formers who feel there’s plenty of support for writing the UCAS statement.

Latest results

In 2024, 31 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 47 per cent A*/A at A level (72 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

Both heads agree that they want Westonbirt to be a ‘greenhouse not a hothouse,’ with pupils being gently nurtured to grow at their own pace. This is put into action by a kind, caring staff body. Teachers are universally praised for knowing each child, with one parent saying, ‘The teachers are phenomenal, they are so dialled in.’ One rather charmingly referred to the school as, ‘Not a sausage factory but an artisan kitchen creating bespoke salami!’

The prep school’s academic offering is gaining real traction under Mrs Mitchell’s leadership. Clever allocation of expertise means that from year 3, pupils have specialist teachers (most from the prep with some from senior school). STEM has firmly been put on the map with the introduction of the Lego League and the English and maths curriculum are currently being reviewed. Individualised learning is successfully being delivered by the innovative Personalised Learning Programme, which sees all pupils once a day for half an hour halting normal lessons to attend a session that’s suitable for them – some are necessary boosters whilst other are for academic extension or to develop their sporting and creative skills. Trips (such as Stonehenge for The Stone Age topic) are used to enrich the curriculum. By the time the lower years are housed in the brand-new classroom block (due for completion January 2026) and the Portakabins are a thing of the past, the school site will also look refreshed.

The senior school prides itself on being able to cater for all abilities with Mrs Dangerfield saying, ‘We want to be a school that suits whole families, however different the siblings may be.’ Parents we spoke to often cited how their children, with varying academic abilities, were all happy at Westonbirt. School continues to be good at supporting weaker pupils with its subject specific drop-in clinics and a range of more vocational qualifications on offer. However, it now also feels just the place for a fairly academically minded self-starter. The newly introduced Performance Pathway is an expansion of the scholarship programme and allows more pupils who are high achievers to meet and discuss ways to boost their performance. There’s also been an increased focus on encouraging ‘aspiration and challenge’ in the classroom. This shift has been noticed by parents with one explaining, ‘I don’t want people to still think that Westonbirt is a place for those who find learning tough. It’s so not! It’s a nurturing school that also challenges those that want to do well.’

At GCSE, combined sciences, history and geography are popular. Suitable for a broad church, there’s the option to do A levels and (or) BTECs. Some students take three A levels whilst others do a combination of both. Business BTEC very popular as are psychology, biology and English A levels. For languages, French and Spanish available and Latin also on offer if there’s sufficient interest; some overseas students take an A level in their native language. Leiths cookery course also popular.

Technological innovation has been high on the agenda. When we toured, certain years were bringing in their own devices (a Surface Go or Pro depending on age and stage); this will be rolled out for all soon. Investment in a new computing suite for regular lessons, but also e-sports and robotics, is proving popular.

Learning support and SEN

School is accommodating, catering for a wide range of needs (dyslexia, dyscalculia, ASD, ADHD) and will work on a case-by-case basis to support those with more unique requirements (such as selective mutism or a physical impairment). Emphasis is on in-class support with pupils benefiting from small class sizes (average is under 20). Booster groups and one-to-one support available (extra charge) and option to take a functional skills programme in years 10 and 11 (no charge). English language courses available for international students with opportunity to gain an accredited language proficiency qualification.

For those with social needs, SEN department is seen as a ‘safe space’ with some retreating there for peace and quiet during breaktime; parents really value this offering. Parallel sports curriculum available for those that don’t like competitive games with the view that ‘small changes can make a big difference.’ Health and wellbeing department supports those with mental health needs.

The arts and extracurricular

For many pupils, the arts and extracurricular provision is what makes their hearts sing, and it should do - there’s quite enough on offer in all disciplines to captivate any budding artist, thespian or outdoorsy type.

The art rooms in both the prep and senior schools are light, airy and spacious. For the seniors, there’s also a photography studio and the sixth form each have their own workspace. Drawing skills are impressive - we saw detailed pencil sketches of the school’s ornate gates and an accurate life-sized self-portrait in oil. Art students are encouraged to experiment – when we toured, a small group of year 12s were creating 3D sculptures with the teacher explaining, ‘They tend to work in 2D but I want them to try other things whilst there’s no risk’ - a perfect example of the school’s nurturing style. Adjoining the art room is the DT department with its traditional work benches and modern laser cutters.

Drama is on offer for all ages. The youngest years do nativity; year 4 do their own play and year 6 have their own production as well. In the senior school, there’s something for everyone: years 7 to 9 do a musical (Matilda and Frozen being two recent hits); there’s a straight play in the spring term for aspiring actors (lunchtime rehearsals were in full swing when we toured, and standards were good) and there’s a whole school production in the summer term. LAMDA classes available and monologue and duologue clubs to join too. One pupil has secured a key role in ‘Six the Musical Teen’ at Cheltenham Playhouse and the school regularly wins categories at the Eisteddfod of the south-west.

Music is popular with about two thirds having individual lessons in both the prep and senior school. Pupils have a good range of instruments to choose from, including the accordion! Plenty of choirs and ensembles to join across an impressive range of genres for a school of this size – ocarina and boomwhacker club is available in the prep and the seniors have everything from the Westonbirt band to chamber choir. Capable prep musicians have music theory club too.

The expansion of the school has resulted in a significant increase in the range of extracurricular options and pupils and parents are more than satisfied with what’s on offer. The prep has over 40 clubs, from knit and natter to archery, pony care to poetry. Impressive variety in senior school too: Dungeons and Dragons to tea and politics, handmade cosmetics to Model United Nations. The variety is appreciated by parents, ‘My son can be doing bee club one day, then CCF another and photography the next. I mean, what a week!’ Introduction of CCF has been a huge hit (plans to expand it) and DofE also on offer.

Residential trips start from year 5, mainly happening during the summer term’s enrichment week. Other academic and sporting trips in the senior school include a geography field trip to Iceland, a ski trip and a UN trip to Geneva. Service expedition projects, which run as part their global outreach programme, include trips to Nepal, India and Kenya.

Sport

Sport has firmly been on the up with heavy investment in facilities – there’s a new Astro, new tennis and netball courts and now a PE classroom to accompany the already existing sports centre (which houses a 25-metre pool, gym and sports hall) and vast pitches which are at the front of the house. They’ve also invested in new staff and new directors of sport (in both the prep and senior) who’ve rejigged the timetable and introduced a core pathway in the senior school to push aspiring athletes. The prep benefits from the senior school’s facilities – even nursery gets to swim once a week in the enormous pool.

Until year 10, focus is on breadth of opportunity so that everyone finds a sport suitable for them. For sixth form, the message is to remain active in a discipline of their choice (going to the gym, for a swim or a walk all fine options). Lacrosse remains the hero sport for girls (two play at international level), but rugby and netball are coming up fast behind. Football has been introduced; hockey and cricket also on the timetable. School getting more competitive on the circuit and increasing numbers means they are challenging the bigger hitters. Good options beyond usual team sports: private tennis lessons available and there’s the chance to compete in the Westonbirt equestrian team (external trainer used). Pupils can also use the on-site nine-hole golf course.

Boarders

Nearly 25 per cent board in the senior school (full, weekly and flexi). Of those 100, about 60 per cent are full boarders with a fairly even split between UK and international boarders. Boarding houses are divided by stage - co-ed for years 6 to 8; single sex for years 9 to 12. A necessary refurb of the houses is very much underway. We saw a newly renovated one and were impressed by the efforts to make it ‘home from home’ with a cosy common area, bold paint colours and contemporary rugs in the dorms and snazzy bathrooms that pupils can lock for privacy. Fun midweek activities such as popcorn making and firing paper planes from the main building’s balcony add to the relaxed and informal feel. And dogs – plenty of dogs floating around the houses for any child in need of some canine love.

A real boon for the upper sixth is the new boarding house located a few miles away, close to Tetbury (mini-bus shuttle service in operation). Single rooms, en-suite bathrooms and the chance to head into the local town for a bite to eat all go to create a good stepping stone to life beyond school.

Ethos and heritage

Westonbirt has undergone quite the revolution, with the senior school switching from a small all-girls school to a much larger co-ed one. This change is complete and there is now pretty much an even split between girls and boys. Importantly, this means that the school is now a viable through school for those starting in the prep. Even though it has grown (senior school is now about 500), it is still relatively small compared to others and therefore has a reputation as a school with a family feel. A word frequently used by pupils we spoke to was, ‘comforting’.

Thanks to its grand setting, the school feels slightly like it’s from a bygone era – first impressions evoking Malory Towers or Hogwarts for many. ‘Get ready for the view when you approach down the drive!’ one parent enthusiastically informed us before the visit. Short of Chatsworth (same architect) or Longleat, not many historic houses and parkland pack such a punch. The Elizabethan-style mansion was built by a wealthy Victorian family and has housed the senior school since 1928. Pupils enjoy the freedom and adventure of roaming in the stunning grounds - the head has been known to fling open the sash window in her study to ask someone to get down from climbing a tree. Being Grade 1 listed, plenty of the original features remain and the school has had to adapt around it – sixth formers still use the leather book lined library as an additional study space and lunch (homecooked, tasty lasagne on offer for our visit) is served on communal refectory tables in some of the main wood-panelled state rooms. Modern buildings have been added to extend the school but mostly in keeping with their surroundings – business, economics and maths are now in newly built glasshouse classrooms within the walled gardens.

The prep is housed just a stone’s throw from the main building and feels welcoming and cosy. They have lots of space to play outside and we were reliably informed by our tour guides that at break time it’s ‘wellies on and out to play’.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Pastoral care is a central part of the school’s holistic educational approach. The prep school’s strategy is centred around restorative justice with plenty of time to reflect and learn from mistakes. For those that struggle, there’s emotional literacy support and a lead teacher will soon be ELSA trained. The new prep head is a data enthusiast; the school is now tracking academic attainment against wellbeing.

The move to co-ed in the senior school has clearly necessitated change which falls within the remit of a newly appointed head of pastoral care. Now, with co-ed fully up and running, it’s about honing the processes for a school that has more than doubled in size, from sorting out drop off and pick-ups to reviving the house system. Behaviour is generally good - we met plenty of well-mannered, confident (not overly so) pupils. They have, however, tweaked the behaviour policy to suit a co-ed environment. Next up is reviewing the rewards and sanctions process. Much effort to monitor wellbeing too – every two weeks during tutor time, pupils complete an online questionnaire. The pastoral lead explained, ‘It helps us to quickly get to the students who need flagging.’ At every stage, school wants to look after its kin.

Pupils’ views can be heard via school council and the prefects. In upper years there’s also the opportunity to be part of a committee on hot topics such as food, uniform and diversity.

School feels like an inclusive environment encouraging pupils to respect diversity at all ages. Those who have questioned their identity or how to deal with a more challenging situation are supported by staff as and when the need arises.

Pupils and parents

A setting fit for an aristocrat but instead inhabited by well-spoken, unassuming pupils is the vibe, something of which parents were keen to reassure us, ‘They have extraordinary grounds but there’s nothing to do with status here. No one cares what car you drive!’ Old-fashioned manners are encouraged (stand up when an adult enters a classroom, wish someone good day at the end of a meeting) and we saw no foppish swagger here. Mud does feature quite heavily so definitely more for the waterproofs and welly child.

Systems in place to help busy parents. Nine bus routes that travel quite a distance (north Bristol, Swindon, Cirencester). New bus app about to launch to ease booking and give live updates. Wrap around care until 6pm available for prep school pupils (extra cost).

Money matters

Cost aware, school reduced its fees to become more competitive. It’s now comparable (or cheaper) than local alternatives. No snazzy blazers either – uniform is simple but smart jumpers with skirts or trousers. Academic, art, drama, music and sport scholarships translate to a 10 per cent discount. Opportunity for a means-tested bursary (40 per cent discount) with a couple of transformational bursaries (100 per cent discount) via the Springboard scheme.

The last word

Westonbirt’s historic buildings and bucolic grounds have always lent a quiet, quintessentially English, glamour to its educational offering. Now, with the move to co-ed in full swing, there’s a new energy about the place. Definitely one to watch, it seems set to rival some of the more established through schools in the south-west.

Special Education Needs

Who came from where