Ages 
One of the great educational transformations, from small-bore to big gun in under a generation. Thoughtful, contemporary education and first-class leadership ensure that bright confident extroverts and quieter types alike with the drive to make the most of opportunities here will flourish. Just a shame there isn’t room for them all.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,180 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 536 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £45,750; Boarding £62,250 pa
- Local authority
- Bracknell Forest Council
- Area guides
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Master
James Dahl
Since 2019, Mr James Dahl MA (classics at Cambridge). Married with a daughter who is currently at the school. Joined as head of admissions and marketing in 2013 before becoming second master elect and deputy head (pastoral care). Worked with the now
Entrance
Takes 200 pupils into the third form (year 9). About five applicants for every place, most from UK prep schools (Wellington College Prep, Lambrook, Dragon School, Thomas’s Group, Cheam School and Godstowe all significant feeders), others from
- Open days
- See website
Exit
In 2025, 10 to Oxbridge and 28 overseas (including Brown, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, IE Madrid and Western University Canada). Popular UK destinations in 2025 included Bath, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, Exeter and UCL.
Latest results
In 2025, 87 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 59 per cent A*/A at A level (86 per cent A*-B); average IB score 39.13.
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
Parents see this as a progressive school (and it’s won several awards for its approach). There’s a refreshing willingness to rethink the way it does things. Take GCSEs. While 10 or 11 currently the norm, as elsewhere, it’s under review. May drop down
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Last inspection identified 140 pupils as having some form of SEN, notably SpLD and three with an EHCP. Most common learning need is SpLD, some pupils have ADHD, a few high-functioning autism.
Highly rated head of learning support looks after new
Arts & extracurricular
The works. Often the deal-breaker for prospective pupils, promise amply fulfilled on joining. Willingness to give everything a go – ‘things you like, things you don’t,’ says pupil – is essential (don’t leave home without it). Thus equipped, pupils,
Sport
One of the myths is that if charm and academic ability doesn’t get you a place here, team sports talent will do the trick. Not a prerequisite, stress current parents. ‘My child is very much an individual sports person and unbelievably happy,’ says
Boarders
Officially, this is a full boarding school – 80 per cent board – though vast majority of pupils go home on Saturday afternoons, returning on Sunday evening, some on parent-organised minibuses (the SW London route is particularly popular). A flying
Ethos & heritage
Ignore the uncooperative online map that attempts to usher you in through the more workaday entrance where sports centre meets industrial park and you’ll approach the school as intended, along the Kilometre (nobody could explain surrender of imperial
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Nobody has yet suggested changing name to Wellbeington College but may only be a matter of time. Can’t move for hearing about wellbeing, thought parents. Prize-winning too, school picking up gold award for mental health support. Timetabled wellbeing
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 We adopt a graded approach to allowing access to mobile devices but require that even those permitted to carry a mobile device during the school day do so in a way that remains private and not visible in a public place within the college. Devices should always be kept on silent or switched off and should not be used when moving around the campus. Third, fourth and fifth form pupils have curtailed use of their phone during the school day, and we educate all pupils about responsible use of devices. For general safeguarding purposes, we record pupils’ mobile phone numbers.
Pupils & parents
A smart school with well-groomed children (long, glossy, effortful hair still the norm for majority of girls) in neat uniform (black jacket and grey trousers for boys, grey multi tartan skirt and black blazer for girls, optional black V-neck jumper
Money matters
Offers academic and music scholarships and exhibitions during the 13+ entrance process, with sport, art, dance and drama scholarships awarded at the end of first year at the school. Similar range of scholarships at 16+. All are honorary with the
- Fee information
- Day £45,750; Boarding £62,250 pa
The last word
One of the great educational transformations, from small-bore to big gun in under a generation. Thoughtful, contemporary education and first-class leadership ensure that bright confident extroverts and quieter types alike with the drive to make the
