State boarding schools in the UK
What are state boarding schools in the UK?
State boarding schools are government-funded schools that offer weekly or full boarding. They typically appeal to families working abroad, in the Forces, the diplomatic service or with international companies. There has been a surge of interest in recent years, partly due to increasing numbers of parents with demanding work schedules. One father told The Good Schools Guide, ‘We all work hard during the week, and get together at weekends. It’s much less stressful than trying to oversee homework or music practice after a long day at work and travelling. She is happy to spend week nights at school with her friends.’
Some schools offer full boarding, others only weekly boarding, some have boarding for sixth formers only. At nearly all state boarding schools, day pupils outnumber boarders.
How many state boarding schools are there in the UK?
There are 34 state boarding schools in the United Kingdom, most of them in England. They cost a fraction of traditional private boarding school fees and yet often share many similarities. Growing popularity among parents explains why the 4,000 state boarding places that are currently available are greatly in demand.
How much do state boarding schools cost?
Make no mistake, these are cheap boarding schools – somewhere between £12,000-£25,000 a year but mostly in the lower half of that range – when compared to fees at UK private secondary schools which tend to start around £50,000 per year for full boarding. Parents are only charged for costs relating to board and meals because tuition is government funded as it is for all pupils at state schools.
The majority of pupils attending state boarding schools are day pupils, but many of them stay for after-school activities alongside the boarders – ‘a boarding experience minus the bed,’ as one school put it. Some of the schools, such as Gordon’s in Surrey, levy a compulsory ‘day boarding’ fee of several thousand pounds to all day pupils to cover after-school activities (though bursaries are available for low-income families). Others, such as Hockerill Anglo-European, have free day places for normal school hours attendance, but charge a day boarding fee to those who wish to arrive for breakfast and stay for activities, supper and homework.
Fees exempt from VAT
Since January 2025, although average private school fees have risen sharply due to new VAT charges, state boarding school fees remain exempt. This has further added to the perception that state boarding schools provide good value for money.
Can anyone go to a state boarding school in the UK
As with other state schools, state boarding schools are open to British citizens and anyone with a right of residence in the UK. Since January 2021 UK state boarding schools are no longer open to nationals of other European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
Eash school will have its own admissions policy but detailed information regarding the criteria for applicants from the UK and other countries can be found on schools’ websites. Some state boarding schools, such as Oban High, operate their boarding facilities solely for those pupils who have to travel from nearby islands which do not have their own secondary or 16+ schools.
Some state boarding schools are grammar schools and so also academically selective. This adds an additional layer to the admission process.
Admissions interviews are not usually permitted at state schools but most state boarding schools will interview applicants in order to ensure they are suitable candidates for boarding.
How to choose the best state boarding school for your child
UK state boarding schools offer a cheap boarding alternative to private boarding schools but making the decision to board, regardless of the school and fees still requires a lot of thought. Ask yourself the following questions regarding state boarding in the UK.
How far away from home?
Are you prepared to travel for concerts, parents’ evenings, matches and weekend pick-ups? Many seasoned boarding school parents caution against choosing a school more than about 90 minutes away.
Do the activities on offer appeal?
What happens after school and at weekends? Needless to say, at boarding school there's a lot more time outside of lessons for pupils to fill. Do activities accord with your child’s interests and abilities, whether in sport, music, art or drama?
The accommodation is clean, tidy and modern and provides a good sense of home from home. There is a large, comfortable common room with matron’s flat just across the corridor. The students spoke highly of the wide range of activities they are involved in from the CCF to sporting activities, trips and visits.
The Good Schools Guide review of Keswick School.
Do enough pupils board?
How many boarders are there of your child’s age? And how many regularly stay in school at weekends? Sometimes, it’s just a handful of international pupils who stay behind at weekends so if you are considering full boarding, it’s vital that your child doesn’t spend weekends rattling around with few friends or activities.
Will your child get in?
If it is academically selective – many state boarding schools are also grammars – is your child likely to make the grade?
For flexi boarders, entry is selective, with a computer-based academic test taken in year 6 (around six pupils per year get in on sport or music rather than academic aptitude). Flexi boarders are also assessed for suitability for boarding via an interview and school reference. Weekly and termly boarders don’t do the test but are assessed for boarding suitability via interview.
The Good Schools Guide review of Old Swinford Hospital, Stourbridge
What are you looking for when you visit?
Draw up a shortlist and arrange visits. Don’t expect the schools to have the extensive grounds and expensive facilities of many independent boarding schools – though some do. A bit of tattiness doesn’t matter, but if you sense neglect, beware. Some state boarding schools run traditional boarding houses on the main school site but others house students out of the way in digs on the other side of town. Be sure you know which of these you’re looking at and whether either would fit with your child’s character.
Don’t assume single en-suite rooms are essential: many younger children in particular like the camaraderie of dormitories. Most important is the atmosphere. Could you imagine your child living here? Does it feel friendly? Are pupils happy and enthusiastic? And most of all – is your child keen to join?
Parents say it’s a caring school, with good transition and staff who are easy to get hold of. Students say teachers are ‘kind and understanding’ and that they and the dedicated pastoral team help with everything from friendship issues to more general mental health issues.
The Good Schools Guide review of Hockerill Anglo-European College
List of state boarding schools in the UK
State boarding schools FAQ
What is a UK state boarding school?
A UK state boarding school is a government-funded school that also offers boarding places. The normal school day is free, as with all state schools, but parents pay for the boarding element, which covers accommodation, activities, meals, and pastoral care.
How much do state boarding schools cost in 2025?
In 2025, state boarding schools typically cost between £12,000 and £18,000 per year, covering accommodation and meals. This is cheaper than private boarding schools, where boarding fees usually start at around £50,000 annually.
Are state boarding schools free?
No. The normal school day is free, paid for by standard government funding, but outside the normal school day, meals, board and activities are covered by the fees which parents pay.
Who can attend a state boarding school in the UK?
UK state boarding schools are open to British citizens and anyone with a right of residence in the UK. Some schools apply local catchment or geographical criteria when allocating boarding places. Schools also conduct interviews to make sure an applicant is a suitable candidate for boarding.
How many state boarding schools are there in the UK?
There are currently 34 state schools in the UK offering some kind of boarding provision.
