Ages 
Longridge Towers is a small school with a great deal going on. Strong emphasis on outdoor learning, developing the whole child and fostering independence backed up with solid academics and excellent pastoral care. All this in an amazing Neo-Gothic mansion (not forgetting Mabel the library bus) set above the beautiful Tweed Valley.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 285 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 38 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £13,698 - £19,674; Boarding £27,450 - £37,944 pa
- Local authority
- Northumberland Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Jonathan Lee
Since 2016, Jonathan Lee. Educated at Loretto School in Edinburgh and with an MA in psychology from the University of Saint Andrews. His first career was in accountancy in Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds; from this he moved to be finance director of
Entrance
Longridge Towers is completely non-selective at all levels other than sixth form. Pre-school and prep pupils invited for taster days to support transition. One parent told us, ‘The school was so supportive, we were moving to the area and our daughter
- Open days
- September and April
Exit
In 2024, 83 per cent to university, 32 per cent Russell group. No Oxbridge in recent years, occasional one to vet or medical school.
Latest results
In 2025, 29 per cent 7-9 at GCSE; 16 per cent A*/A at A level (49 per cent A*-B).
A levels or equivalent - 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
At key stage three pupils have two hours a week of outdoor learning making good use of the extensive school site. A parent said, ‘That’s one of the reasons my children are here, there’s so much space to play and they are all encouraged to be
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Two SENCOs (senior and junior) work closely together to support pupils with a wide range of needs including neurodiversity. Around 25 per cent of senior and junior pupils are on the SEN register and school does have some pupils with local authority
Arts & extracurricular
Longridge boasts a wide variety of musical opportunities with good numbers taking the subject at GCSE and A level. We saw a super junior school lesson where the whole class were singing with both enthusiasm and ability. Musical performances, which
Sport
Sport and outdoor pursuits are the lifeblood of Longridge Towers. When we asked pupils the best things about the school, time and again we got the answers, ‘The rugby, the lacrosse, the football, the rounders, the riding, the cross country.’ The
Boarders
There are 39 boarding places and at the time of our visit three full time and 11 weekly boarders. A lot of pupils take advantage of flexi boarding one night a week especially when they are involved in away fixtures, music or drama activities. This is
Ethos & heritage
Longridge House was built in the nineteenth-century for the Jerningham family. From the 1900s it had various incarnations as a school, hotel and Ursuline convent before Longridge Towers School was set up by a group of parents in 1983 with former
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
It’s all about personalisation, nurture and growing independence here and parents can’t praise the pastoral care highly enough in both prep and the senior school. ‘My goodness me, how my quiet daughter has blossomed,’ one delighted parent told us.
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 Whilst in school, phones for pupils in forms 1-2 are handed and collected at the end of the school day. In forms 3–5, they should be switched off, out of sight and preferably in either bags or a locker, in keeping with the school’s mobile phone policy. Sixth form pupils are afforded the privilege of retaining their phones during the school day for use in supporting work in the classroom at the subject teacher’s discretion. They may also use them in the sixth form common room. Junior department pupils are not allowed access to mobile phones during the school day.
Pupils & parents
Families come from far and wide. Around 70 per cent of pupils travel on the extensive network of buses from Dunbar, Kelso, Alnwick and beyond - Longridge Towers serves the Scottish borders right up to Edinburgh and down through Northumberland. Buses
Money matters
Academic, sports, art and music scholarships available throughout the senior school. Pupils have to apply for these each year. For families unable to afford the remainder of fees some bursaries may also be available.
- Fee information
- Day £13,698 - £19,674; Boarding £27,450 - £37,944 pa
The last word
Longridge Towers is a small school with a great deal going on. Strong emphasis on outdoor learning, developing the whole child and fostering independence backed up with solid academics and excellent pastoral care. All this in an amazing Neo-Gothic
