Abbotsholme School

Abbotsholme School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 - 20 years old. Our school is set within a 140-acre campus, on the banks of the River Dove on the Derbyshire and Staffordshire border, in the quiet village of Rocester.

Our size is our strength, meaning that every child is not just taught, but known. If you ask our pupils why they chose Abbotsholme School, they would tell you about our equestrian centre, our farm and our passion for outdoor education. Delve a little deeper, and they would say they feel valued, challenged and at ease with themselves and each other. Our staff and pupils embody the spirit of Abbotsholme daily and our values of honesty, respect, humility, courage and integrity are reflected in everything we do.

Abbotsholme School is a truly unique school. Since opening in 1889, we have always had a fresh and innovative approach to education, favouring a more liberal and holistic education. As pioneers of outdoor education, Abbotsholme School carries forward the legacy of our founder, Dr Cecil Reddie, whose vision helped inspire the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Whenever possible, we take our learning outdoors, and our exceptional outdoor facilities enable us to instil a love for outdoor pursuits in our pupils. Our extracurricular programme offers our pupils an exceptional variety of activities to explore as they discover their strengths and personal interests. Our 70-acre working farm, five-star equestrian centre, state-of-the-art theatre, music department, sports centre, climbing wall and our 140-acre estate offer pupils a vast array of opportunities to explore and develop new skills. Whatever their passion, talent or spark, we guide and empower our pupils to be the very best they can be.

At Abbotsholme, we are particularly proud to educate some of the county's top young athletes in cricket and hockey. We are pleased to support these pupils with exceptional on-site coaching, facilities, and pathways with various clubs, helping them as they strive for success in sports. Our five-star-rated, British Horse Society-approved Equestrian Centre has also paved the way for many young riders, who compete at both national and county levels, representing our unique and wonderful school.

Abbotsholme is a proud member of Round Square, one of only 15 schools in the UK. As a Round Square member, Abbotsholme School enjoys numerous advantages, most notably exchange programmes that offer pupils the chance to immerse themselves in different cultures and languages. These opportunities allow pupils to spend up to three months in fellow Round Square schools, engaging with and learning alongside like-minded peers from all corners of the world.