Haberdashers’ Monmouth Senior School

Since September 2024, Rachel Rees, who ‘arrived here in 2008 on a three-month temporary contract as an MFL teacher and never left!’ Rose through the ranks as head of year, head of sixth form, director of sixth form, deputy head (pastoral) and acting

Nearly all move up from the prep, making up half of the year 7s. The rest come from mainly state primaries (as far as Hereford, Chepstow, Cardiff and Bristol), along with boarders from worldwide. Selective-ish at 11+, with online exams in English,

A third leave post-GCSE, mostly to other independent schools and Hereford Sixth Form and Hartpury colleges. We think the new swanky new sixth form centre and introduction of BTECs will increase retention. Nearly all year 13s to university, just over

In 2024, 51 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 38 per cent A*/A at A level (68 per cent A*-B).

A work-hard ethos – ‘but not so hard that there isn’t time for all the wonderful extracurricular,’ approved a parent. It’s about the whole picture here. Pupils praise the ‘accessible’ teachers and their ‘engaging lessons’, plus ‘loads of additional

Last time we reviewed the school, parents felt there was room for improvement here. Now, they describe the full-time learning support specialist as ‘incredibly supportive’ and say that she ‘treats our child as an individual and works closely with

We felt exhausted just perusing the list of activities that run at lunchtimes, after school and on Saturday mornings, as well on the Wednesday afternoons (set carousel for year 9s; options from year 10). All part of a new endeavour called Monmouth

Coaching staff are former internationals and professionals who are upping the ante of an already sporty school. The A teams have a busy schedule both regionally and nationally – and Bs and Cs get a look-in most weeks. Current U16 Welsh champions in

Around 20 per cent board (mostly full, a few flexi and weekly) with parents as attracted to the small, safe town of Monmouth as to the school itself. ‘It gives them the best of both worlds – a bit of freedom but still a bubble,’ said one. Around half

Exemplary pastoral care, say parents. ‘A family feel’ and ‘place where every pupil feels valued’. Form teachers particularly commended: ‘easy to get hold of’ and ‘genuinely caring’. The real test, of course, is when families hit hard times – and we

‘Old money, new money, no money,’ says school. Certainly no shortage of parents making sacrifices to come here – right through to wealthy landowners. Lots of Forces families, and plenty from overseas too. ‘A real mix, and not cliquey or judgemental,’

Scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ in academic, music, drama and theatre, art and design, DT sport and dance – all with 10 per cent fee remission. West Mon scholarship offers full support for around five pupils from the local state school that finishes

A friendly, buzzy school in the heart of the local community, which itself is in the heart of stunning countryside. We think it gets the perfect balance between academics and extracurricular and between tradition and a modern outlook that sets these