Blundell's School

Since 2018, Bart Wielenga BCom BEd, previously second master. Born in Holland, he was educated at an all-boys’ state school in South Africa and the University of Natal, where he majored in economics. After an education degree, he taught at Ixopo High

Non-selective. The nursery, pre-prep and prep school take all comers, only turning away children ‘who would not thrive in this environment’. Transition to the senior school is generally seamless.

Main senior school entry points are year 7, year 9

Virtually all prep pupils head to the senior school, around a quarter with scholarships. The year 7 cohort of 60 comprises two-thirds from the prep and a third from elsewhere. After GCSEs, an average of 20 leave but their places are filled by new

In 2025, 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 38 per cent A*/A at A level (70 per cent A*-B).

A Blundell’s education is about far more than simply exams and results but pupils clearly knuckle down to their studies. ‘They work hard and play hard,’ said a parent. ‘They definitely have the best of both worlds.’ Most take nine or 10 GCSEs – maths

Learning support is known as ‘learning success’ in the prep, which caters for needs such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ASD and ADHD – either one-to-one or in small groups. In the senior school 15 per cent have support from a team of seven highly trained

The Ondaatje Hall, the purpose-built theatre named after former pupil and benefactor Sir Christopher Ondaatje, is mainly used for drama, with three school plays (one musical) and several house plays every year. When we visited pupils were still

Blundell’s is famously sporty, with acres of pitches, both grass and Astro, and plenty of success at county and national level, particularly in hockey and rugby. More than 100 former and current pupils have competed at county level and above in the

More than half board, whether they’re full boarders, weekly or flexi. Ninety international boarders from all over the world. Some forces and diplomatic families too. Boarding from year 7 (no prep boarders), with years 7 and housed in their own

The parents we spoke to praised the school’s pastoral care, particularly in the aftermath of a shocking incident in 2023 when a boy attacked two pupils and a housemaster (he was later sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years after

Slightly more boys than girls. Weekly boarders tend to come from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset while full boarders come from London, the south east and overseas, taking advantage of the speedy two-hour train from Paddington to Tiverton Parkway

Usual array of scholarships and awards at 11+, 13+ and 16+, plus a small number of discretionary head’s awards. Some means tested foundation bursaries are available for successful scholarship applicants who need financial assistance.

When it comes

A big-hearted, busy school that turns out thoughtful, well-rounded, go-getting youngsters with a spring in their step and a clear sense of purpose. They study hard, throw themselves into the myriad opportunities on offer and clearly relish their time