Best boarding schools in the UK

Best boarding schools in the UK

The United Kingdom offers a wide range of prestigious boarding schools, globally recognised for their high academic standards. International students benefit from full immersion in British culture while also interacting with peers from around the world, further enriching their experience.


In addition to receiving a high-quality education, boarding schools boast outstanding facilities such as sports centres, theatres, art and music studios, recording and podcast rooms, golf courses, equestrian centres, kitchens, science departments, Design Technology labs, and business centres, to name just a few. These facilities help students develop their skills and talents. With more than 600 boarding schools in the UK—each offering different academic programmes, sports, and facilities—the decision-making process can be complex.

The key is to place the student at the centre of the search, understanding their talents, strengths, and interests, as well as the preferences of their parents. It is also essential to have a strong understanding of the sector and each individual school, because the reality is that there is a boarding school suited to every child. At ninetonineworld, we have carefully selected some of the best boarding schools in the UK, categorising them by academic level, sport, music, and the arts. The criteria are endless, but what matters most is carrying out a thoughtful search and selection process—because every student is unique.

Academics

 
Wycombe Abbey
Wycombe Abbey is one of the boarding schools that consistently ranks at the top of “Best Boarding Schools in the UK” lists. Located just an hour from London and set within 167 hectares, this all-girls school prepares its students for the future. Pupils can take part in activities such as car engineering, creating mock companies, and managing social media accounts, among others.
In 2019, 80% of A-Level results were graded A* or A. Most students went on to attend Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or institutions in the United States. Demand is so high that applications often need to be made three to four years in advance.
Westminster
Located in the heart of London, in the shadow of Big Ben, Westminster is one of Britain’s classic schools with a rich history. Notable alumni include the renowned actress Helena Bonham Carter and the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. The school is boys-only up to GCSE level, with girls admitted from Sixth Form onwards. Music plays a central role in school life, with students having access to the famous Westminster Abbey for concerts and Christmas services. Approximately 42% of students receive offers from Oxbridge, and around 5% go on to attend leading universities in the United States.
Eton College
This is undoubtedly the most famous boarding school in the world—complete with its iconic tailcoat uniform. Eton College has an outstanding reputation, not only for its academic success but also for its distinguished alumni, including Prince William, George Orwell, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson. In fact, 19 of the UK’s 54 Prime Ministers were educated at Eton. Eton stands out not only academically but also for its strong emphasis on sport. The school boasts around 40 rugby and football pitches, as well as 50 tennis courts. Students also have the opportunity to row at Eton Dorney, the lake used during the 2012 Olympic Games. Although Eton is a traditional school with a long history, it has continued to modernise over its 600 years and remains adaptable to changing times. In 2021, 69 students received offers from Oxbridge, and 18 secured places at leading universities in the United States, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia.

​Sport

Sedbergh
Sedbergh is set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, on the edge of the Lake District National Park, providing both Prep and Senior School students with an exceptional natural playground for a wide range of sports. The school has an outstanding reputation for rugby, with students competing against much larger schools such as Millfield and Wellington, and many going on to play at international level. Cross country is another key sport at Sedbergh, with students training in the surrounding hills and preparing for the well-known ten-mile race, the “Wilson Run.”
This school is ideal for students who love the outdoors and want to experience a wide variety of activities.
Millfield
For sports enthusiasts, Millfield is unmatched in terms of its athletic facilities. Its impressive campus includes a 50-metre swimming pool, stables, a polo field, a 9-hole golf course, and numerous tennis courts, among many other amenities. It’s no surprise that several alumni have competed in the Olympic Games since 1956, and at the 2016 Olympics, former students won four medals. Although Millfield is well known for its strong sporting focus, it also takes an innovative approach to education and continues to evolve. This is reflected in its “Brilliance Curriculum,” introduced in Year 9, which aims to connect topics across different subjects. For example, students do not study global warming in geography until they have first learned about heat capacity in physics. This approach helps students better understand how subjects interrelate and encourages a more dynamic way of learning.

Music

 
Bedales
Bedales School is a well-regarded boarding school known for its strong academic performance, its reputation in music and the arts, and its innovative approach to education.
Founded in 1893 as an alternative to the authoritarian, single-sex schools typical of the time, it was built on the philosophy of educating the “head, hand, and heart” within a co-educational environment.
The school’s striking buildings inspire creativity, particularly in art, design, and music, and have won several architectural awards. Students are constantly encouraged to ask questions, an approach that broadens their minds, fosters independent thinking, and inspires them to think beyond the conventional—truly “outside the box.”
Pilgrims
Pilgrim’s is one of the top prep schools in the United Kingdom. It is a single-sex school for boys, located near the famous Winchester Cathedral. From here, pupils go on to apply to some of the country’s leading boarding schools—including Winchester College, Eton, Radley, and Marlborough—and many are awarded sports, music, and academic scholarships.
Music at Pilgrim’s is exceptional, with two professional choirs and four school choirs. With over 28 specialist music teachers, boys can learn a wide range of instruments, including piano, organ, guitar, and singing, among others. In fact, there are more music lessons during the week than there are students!
All pupils are encouraged to make music part of their daily lives—whether through weekly lessons, forming bands and ensembles, or attending the many concerts held throughout the year. The school strongly promotes creativity and innovation, making it an ideal environment for aspiring musicians.

Art

 
Dulwich College
This prep and senior school, located in London, is known for its academic curriculum, which places a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation. Its aim is to develop “passionate, free learners”—students who are both enthusiastic and independent in their approach to learning. This school is an excellent choice for students who want to explore art in a different way. With such a varied team of professionals, each contributing their expertise, it’s no surprise that students go on to become truly accomplished artists. The art department boasts an outstanding team of teachers, including sculptors, painters, graphic designers, and more. In art lessons, the school blends tradition with innovation, while valuing the diversity each student brings to their work.
St Mary’s Calne
This senior school is exclusively for girls and, while it has an excellent academic reputation, it is also particularly well known for its strength in the arts. The art school offers specialised facilities for painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, digital photography, and even darkrooms for developing film. Artistic creation extends far beyond the curriculum, with the art school open in the evenings and at weekends, offering a wide range of activities. Students regularly design and create sets for school productions and take part in major art competitions such as The Saatchi Gallery, the Royal Academy, SpOke, YOUNG ARTS, and The Sunday Telegraph Art Prize for Schools, achieving impressive results Discover more about boarding schools here, or get in touch to start the process with us today!

Best boarding schools in the UK

Best boarding schools in the UK

The United Kingdom offers a wide range of prestigious boarding schools, globally recognised for their high academic standards. International students benefit from full immersion in British culture while also interacting with peers from around the world, further enriching their experience.


In addition to receiving a high-quality education, boarding schools boast outstanding facilities such as sports centres, theatres, art and music studios, recording and podcast rooms, golf courses, equestrian centres, kitchens, science departments, Design Technology labs, and business centres, to name just a few. These facilities help students develop their skills and talents. With more than 600 boarding schools in the UK—each offering different academic programmes, sports, and facilities—the decision-making process can be complex.

The key is to place the student at the centre of the search, understanding their talents, strengths, and interests, as well as the preferences of their parents. It is also essential to have a strong understanding of the sector and each individual school, because the reality is that there is a boarding school suited to every child. At ninetonineworld, we have carefully selected some of the best boarding schools in the UK, categorising them by academic level, sport, music, and the arts. The criteria are endless, but what matters most is carrying out a thoughtful search and selection process—because every student is unique.

Academics

 
Wycombe Abbey
Wycombe Abbey is one of the boarding schools that consistently ranks at the top of “Best Boarding Schools in the UK” lists. Located just an hour from London and set within 167 hectares, this all-girls school prepares its students for the future. Pupils can take part in activities such as car engineering, creating mock companies, and managing social media accounts, among others.
In 2019, 80% of A-Level results were graded A* or A. Most students went on to attend Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, or institutions in the United States. Demand is so high that applications often need to be made three to four years in advance.
Westminster
Located in the heart of London, in the shadow of Big Ben, Westminster is one of Britain’s classic schools with a rich history. Notable alumni include the renowned actress Helena Bonham Carter and the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. The school is boys-only up to GCSE level, with girls admitted from Sixth Form onwards. Music plays a central role in school life, with students having access to the famous Westminster Abbey for concerts and Christmas services. Approximately 42% of students receive offers from Oxbridge, and around 5% go on to attend leading universities in the United States.
Eton College
This is undoubtedly the most famous boarding school in the world—complete with its iconic tailcoat uniform. Eton College has an outstanding reputation, not only for its academic success but also for its distinguished alumni, including Prince William, George Orwell, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson. In fact, 19 of the UK’s 54 Prime Ministers were educated at Eton. Eton stands out not only academically but also for its strong emphasis on sport. The school boasts around 40 rugby and football pitches, as well as 50 tennis courts. Students also have the opportunity to row at Eton Dorney, the lake used during the 2012 Olympic Games. Although Eton is a traditional school with a long history, it has continued to modernise over its 600 years and remains adaptable to changing times. In 2021, 69 students received offers from Oxbridge, and 18 secured places at leading universities in the United States, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia.

​Sport

Sedbergh
Sedbergh is set in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, on the edge of the Lake District National Park, providing both Prep and Senior School students with an exceptional natural playground for a wide range of sports. The school has an outstanding reputation for rugby, with students competing against much larger schools such as Millfield and Wellington, and many going on to play at international level. Cross country is another key sport at Sedbergh, with students training in the surrounding hills and preparing for the well-known ten-mile race, the “Wilson Run.”
This school is ideal for students who love the outdoors and want to experience a wide variety of activities.
Millfield
For sports enthusiasts, Millfield is unmatched in terms of its athletic facilities. Its impressive campus includes a 50-metre swimming pool, stables, a polo field, a 9-hole golf course, and numerous tennis courts, among many other amenities. It’s no surprise that several alumni have competed in the Olympic Games since 1956, and at the 2016 Olympics, former students won four medals. Although Millfield is well known for its strong sporting focus, it also takes an innovative approach to education and continues to evolve. This is reflected in its “Brilliance Curriculum,” introduced in Year 9, which aims to connect topics across different subjects. For example, students do not study global warming in geography until they have first learned about heat capacity in physics. This approach helps students better understand how subjects interrelate and encourages a more dynamic way of learning.

Music

 
Bedales
Bedales School is a well-regarded boarding school known for its strong academic performance, its reputation in music and the arts, and its innovative approach to education.
Founded in 1893 as an alternative to the authoritarian, single-sex schools typical of the time, it was built on the philosophy of educating the “head, hand, and heart” within a co-educational environment.
The school’s striking buildings inspire creativity, particularly in art, design, and music, and have won several architectural awards. Students are constantly encouraged to ask questions, an approach that broadens their minds, fosters independent thinking, and inspires them to think beyond the conventional—truly “outside the box.”
Pilgrims
Pilgrim’s is one of the top prep schools in the United Kingdom. It is a single-sex school for boys, located near the famous Winchester Cathedral. From here, pupils go on to apply to some of the country’s leading boarding schools—including Winchester College, Eton, Radley, and Marlborough—and many are awarded sports, music, and academic scholarships.
Music at Pilgrim’s is exceptional, with two professional choirs and four school choirs. With over 28 specialist music teachers, boys can learn a wide range of instruments, including piano, organ, guitar, and singing, among others. In fact, there are more music lessons during the week than there are students!
All pupils are encouraged to make music part of their daily lives—whether through weekly lessons, forming bands and ensembles, or attending the many concerts held throughout the year. The school strongly promotes creativity and innovation, making it an ideal environment for aspiring musicians.

Art

 
Dulwich College
This prep and senior school, located in London, is known for its academic curriculum, which places a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation. Its aim is to develop “passionate, free learners”—students who are both enthusiastic and independent in their approach to learning. This school is an excellent choice for students who want to explore art in a different way. With such a varied team of professionals, each contributing their expertise, it’s no surprise that students go on to become truly accomplished artists. The art department boasts an outstanding team of teachers, including sculptors, painters, graphic designers, and more. In art lessons, the school blends tradition with innovation, while valuing the diversity each student brings to their work.
St Mary’s Calne
This senior school is exclusively for girls and, while it has an excellent academic reputation, it is also particularly well known for its strength in the arts. The art school offers specialised facilities for painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, digital photography, and even darkrooms for developing film. Artistic creation extends far beyond the curriculum, with the art school open in the evenings and at weekends, offering a wide range of activities. Students regularly design and create sets for school productions and take part in major art competitions such as The Saatchi Gallery, the Royal Academy, SpOke, YOUNG ARTS, and The Sunday Telegraph Art Prize for Schools, achieving impressive results Discover more about boarding schools here, or get in touch to start the process with us today!