Ages 
With facilities and grounds that are second to none, Bryanston has a quiet confidence. It’s superbly staffed, safe, kind, rigorous, hugely likeable and strikes exactly the right balance between giving teenagers a sensible amount of structure and allowing them the freedom to be themselves. A winning combination.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 643 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 304 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £37,632 - £46,350; Boarding £56,523 pa
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Area guides
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Richard Jones
Since 2022, Richard Jones. Educated at Arnold School in Blackpool, studied industrial economics at the University of Nottingham and has a master's in educational leadership from the University of Buckingham. He originally planned a City career but
Entrance
Bryanston joined forces with nearby Knighton House (now Bryanston Prep) in 2021 to form a 3-18 school. At 13, pupils arrive at the senior school from about 90 different preps, including Windlesham House, Walhampton, Port Regis, Dumpton and Bryanston
- Open days
- School offers individual visits and groups visits, as well as virtual visits for those who are unable to attend in person. Check school website
Exit
Around 10 per cent leave after GCSEs. At 18, most head to university. Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Exeter are among the most popular destinations. Two to Oxbridge in 2024. Usually plenty overseas – in 2024, to USA (Texas A&M University,
Latest results
In 2024, 43 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 31 per cent A*/A at A level (62 per cent A*-B); IB average score 38.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Bryanston was one of the first schools to adopt the Dalton Plan, a combination of lessons in the classroom and time for individual assignment work. Right from its inception, pupils filled in a daily written chart showing how they used their working
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Individual tuition is available for those who need additional help with their learning and takes place at times when it won’t get in the way of pupils’ academic timetable. The department comprises six staff, including a learning support assistant who
Arts & extracurricular
The vast number of arty alumni bears testimony to the school’s outstanding arts provision – in art, Lucian Freud and Howard Hodgkin; in music, Sir John Eliot Gardner, Sir Mark Elder and Mark Wigglesworth; and in TV and film, Emilia Fox, Freddie Fox
Sport
In keeping with the idea of Bryanston being a place where you can ‘discover who you are and what you want to be’, there’s high level coaching for pupils who love their sport as well as healthy fun for those who simply want to run around and keep fit.
Boarders
Two-thirds of the school board, but day pupils all have a bed in their houses (day pupils can go home at 6pm or stay and do their prep till 9pm). Twelve houses in all – five for girls, five for boys and two for year 9 boys. ‘It allows the youngest
Ethos & heritage
The Bryanston estate runs to an impressive 400 acres in rural Dorset and is centred around a red-brick country mansion designed and built by Norman Shaw in the late 19th century. The school itself was founded in 1928 by JG Jeffreys, an innovative
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Parents agree that Bryanston’s pastoral care is key to its success. Every pupil-tutor meeting starts with tutors asking, ‘How are you? How are you feeling?’ A father described his son’s tutor as ‘superb’. ‘She understands him and she is very good at
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Day pupils, weekly boarders and flexi boarders may not bring mobile phones to school. Full boarders are strongly advised to keep a mobile phone in school to receive calls; these are kept safe by the heads of voarding during the week and children can use them during the day at the weekends and on specified evenings.
Pupils & parents
The school is 50:50 boys and girls and around 15 to 20 per cent come from abroad – from places like Germany, Spain, China, Hong Kong, the US, Kenya, UAE, Mexico and the Caribbean. Bryanston prides itself on not having a particular ‘type’ of pupil and
Money matters
Academic, music, art, DT, performing arts, sport and all-rounder scholarships offered at 13+ while at 16+ academic, music, art, performing arts and sport scholarships available. All scholarships are capped at 10 per cent of the fees but the school
- Fee information
- Day £37,632 - £46,350; Boarding £56,523 pa
The last word
With facilities and grounds that are second to none, Bryanston has a quiet confidence. It’s superbly staffed, safe, kind, rigorous, hugely likeable and strikes exactly the right balance between giving teenagers a sensible amount of structure and
