ACS Cobham International School - Upper and High School, Cobham
Whole School Open Day - 15 March 2025
This non-selective international day and boarding school offers a compelling alternative to the traditional British educational system, providing a learning environment where pupils are encouraged to develop critical thinking, creativity, a global outlook and, perhaps most importantly, the self-confidence to follow their passions. Different pathways through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement courses are on offer, and results are strong across the board. It’s no wonder local families are as keen on ACS Cobham as expats.
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ACS Egham International School - Middle and High School, Egham
Open Morning - 05 December 2024
Set on a beautiful leafy campus on the edge of Windsor Great Park, this all-through international school is one of only two schools in the UK to offer all four International Baccalaureate programmes from primary years upwards. With 46 nationalities represented, it feels like a perfect little global village, full of enthusiastic staff, many of whom bring overseas experience. Each section of the school is neatly demarcated, and all pupils have use of the knockout facilities, which include two on-site forest schools and a massive sports hall complete with ‘show court’, climbing wall and dance studio.
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Battle Abbey School, Battle
Senior School Open Day - 08 March 2025
Sitting next to the very battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, Battle Abbey School certainly has the wow factor, with classes held in a former monastery and a clutch of historic 13th-century buildings. But for all its history, this is a school with an impressive forward-thinking mindset, a place where children thrive where they might not in more traditional settings. Famous for its art and creativity, Battle Abbey knows how to bring the best out of each and every pupil.
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Bede's School, Hailsham
Open Morning - 15 March 2025
‘This school lets you be yourself,’ says one pupil at this exceptional co-ed day and boarding school in Sussex where pupils thrive and shine in all areas, from the classroom to the playing field, the art studio to the stage (the Legat Dance Academy is part of the St Bede’s School Trust, as is the nursery and prep). Proudly non-selective, the school is interested in the child not league tables and, says head Peter Goodyer, is ‘mindful we sit as a part of a journey for education rather than as the end. We are responsible for preparing pupils so they can do whatever they want to do in the best shape they can be in.’ It’s a holistic approach that pays dividends, with happy and engaged pupils living in the moment and embracing everything that comes their way.
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Benenden School, Cranbrook
Open Afternoon - 04 February 2025
Open Morning - 01 March 2025
Open Morning - 13 March 2025
Why do we love Benenden so much? Because it does exactly what it says on the tin: traditional, all-girls full boarding brought bang up to date. For the academically competent all-rounder who is happy to live in a lovely rural bubble, this is a reassuringly solid choice – and a school that’s firing on all cylinders.
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Claremont Senior School & Sixth Form, Nr. Robertsbridge
Open Week (3rd-7th March) - 03 March 2025
Open Day - 10 May 2025
This inspirational school in Sussex has a new principal at the helm, with former senior head Ed Dickie now overseeing both the prep and the senior, further cementing Claremont as a seamless, all-through option. It’s a school with an enlightened approach to education. ‘We encourage young people to find out what they love doing and give the pupil the opportunity to do it,’ says Mr Dickie. Pupils come from all walks of life and every child’s unique talents are championed. And while the football academy and performing arts offering are certainly a draw, it’s a school for everyone, where all pupils are challenged to try new things as well as build on their strengths.
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Cranleigh School, Cranleigh
Welcome Morning - 07 December 2024
Welcome Morning - 01 March 2025
Welcome Morning - 08 March 2025
Sixth Form Welcome Morning - 07 June 2025
Senior Open Day - 14 June 2025
Basking in 240 acres of leafy Surrey countryside, Cranleigh School is a bit of a Goldilocks school – not too big, not too small, good for girls, good for boys, not greedy for the sportiest or the cleverest, but rather valuing what every pupil brings to the community. A real family atmosphere and a down-to-earth attitude creates a school filled with happy, well-rounded children confident in their own abilities.
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Dulwich Cranbrook - Senior School, Cranbrook
Whole School Open Morning - 07 March 2025
Senior School Open Morning - 23 May 2025
Set on a glorious 50-acre campus just an hour from London by train, Dulwich School Cranbrook was founded when the headmaster of Dulwich Prep London evacuated his pupils here to his in-laws’ house after the outbreak of the Second World War. What was originally a group of huts in the orchards surrounding the main manor house has grown into a thriving, incredibly open and welcoming school – and one which has just expanded its appeal even further with the opening of a brand-new senior school, kicking off with an initial Year 9 cohort who arrived in September 2023.
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Eastbourne College, Eastbourne
Open Morning Years 9-12 - 08 February 2025
Open Morning Years 9-12 - 10 May 2025
Sixth Form Open Evening - 18 September 2025
Open Morning Years 9-12 - 04 October 2025
This school has all bases covered: academics are impressive and getting more so every year, sport serves all, from those looking for fun and fitness to elite athletes (watch out for future female cricket stars) and blue sky thinking runs through everything, from taking learning to the beach and becoming a mobile phone-free school to offering transformational bursaries and outreach programmes to the local community. Once a hidden gem, numbers are now higher than ever, with a waiting list in operation. No wonder. Cosmopolitan and diverse, this co-ed senior boarding school has a modern mindset and knows how to inspire young people.
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Embley Senior School & Sixth Form, Romsey
Whole School Open Morning - 11 March 2025
Hampshire’s ‘Digital Downton’, with a stunning aristocratic rural setting juxtaposed with a forward-thinking digital strategy, is a real belter. Add in a truckload of extracurricular opportunities, an impressive academic record, a focus on developing compassionate young people and a headmaster who exudes purpose, and you have a pretty attractive package.
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Frensham Heights School, Farnham
Senior School Open Morning - 29 January 2025
Senior School Open Morning - 27 February 2025
Whole School Open Morning - 13 March 2025
Whole School Open Evening - 09 May 2025
Whole School Open Morning - 20 June 2025
Frensham Heights is a Surrey day and boarding school with its focus firmly on the future. Since its foundation in 1925 it has sought to provide an alternative style of education based on mutual respect, tolerance and generosity of spirit that educates the whole child. Its invitation to ‘come and be you’ and insistence on inspiring each child to improve themselves – in any way – is a pleasure to see. With no uniform and pupils on first name terms with their teachers, we love the less formal, more progressive educational ethos here – one that celebrates children in the most holistic way possible, and brilliantly prepares them for a world beyond school.
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Heathfield School, Ascot
Open Morning - 14 March 2025
Open Morning - 17 May 2025
‘The merit of one is the honour of all’ is the school motto here – and there is certainly much to be merited at Heathfield. Cast aside any preconceptions you may have, and prepare to be bowled over, Heathfield hits that rare sweet spot of being small enough to give every girl individual attention, and large enough to offer a full school experience in terms of academic options and co-curricular opportunities, whilst offering an astounding amount of flexibility to families. In her short time at the helm, Sarah Rollings has completely re-invigorated this outstanding school, placing pupil well-being and value-added achievement at the forefront of the unashamedly girls-first ethos, and introducing a stunning new sixth form centre, transforming the A-level experience.
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Lancing College, Lancing
Open Event (Year 9 entry) - 18 January 2025
Open Event (Year 9 entry) - 08 February 2025
Sixth Form Open Morning - 01 March 2025
Open Event (Year 9 entry) - 22 March 2025
From the beautiful architecture and grounds to the pupils striding purposefully across quads on their way to lessons, Lancing College seems to have the playbook of an Oxford college. But while the environment feels awe-inspiring, it’s also refreshingly unflashy, with no sense of entitlement or privilege, just the love of learning, working hard and being part of a supportive community underpinning its solid foundation. It's an impressive school that surprisingly flies under the radar – but we suspect that won’t be the case for long.
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Lord Wandsworth College, Hook
Headmaster's Reception 9.30am - 10 December 2024
Philanthropy sits front and centre at this Hampshire school, which was established upon the death of its eponymous founder, Lord Wandsworth, 101 years ago. Originally built for the bereaved children of agricultural workers, it has educated 2,500 ‘Foundationers’ in its first century, with more than 50 pupils on supported places currently at the school and a separate bursary fund for means-tested places. This fosters a real community spirit, with children involved in every aspect of the running of the school – from helping interview new staff to designing the new sixth form centre.
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Mayfield School, Mayfield
Open Morning - 14 March 2025
In the words of the newly appointed head Deborah Bligh, Mayfield School helps to shape its pupils but does not seek to change them: ‘A Mayfield girl’s voice has real value.’ Integrity, compassion and joy anchor the pupils, and it’s clearly evident in the close bonds between the girls and with staff. Pastoral care is spot on, academics are impressive and the setting is idyllic. It’s no wonder it’s one of the UK’s leading all-girls Catholic schools.
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Notre Dame Senior School, Cobham
Open Morning - 13 February 2025
Founded over 400 years ago, the emphasis at this Surrey all-through school is all about the girls. Rooted in a Catholic ethos but open to pupils of all faiths, fabulous facilities include a professional-standard theatre, a 25m indoor swimming pool and an all-singing, all-dancing, brand-new innovation hub, where the latest technology is used to enhance pupils’ learning. A busy enrichment programme allows girls to uncover their talents and passions, and the most academically able are stretched and challenged through the school’s dedicated Above & Beyond the Curriculum programme.
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Prior's Field, Godalming
Open Day - 07 February 2025
This small, super-nurturing, all-girls school in Surrey puts academic progress, wellbeing and happiness first. No one gets lost here – rather, they’re encouraged in all directions from academics and sports to creative arts (which they’re particularly strong at). Softly selective and the opposite of brash, it’s a school that is full of warmth and respect, and a place where girls achieve by being happy, not intimidated. Aldous Huxley’s mother, Julia, founded it in 1902 with the aim of producing ‘confident young women, ready to make their mark on the modern world’; more than a century later, it’s still doing just that.
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Radley College, Abingdon
Open Day - 08 February 2025
Open Day - 15 March 2025
Open Day - 26 April 2025
Steeped in tradition but not stuck in the past, it’s hard not to be bowled over by Radley. It’s hugely impressive with its glorious grounds, Who’s Who list of alumni and peerless opportunities offered to all who go there. It’s no wonder parents rush to register their sons’ names on the famous Radley List at birth. But while it maintains its all-boys, full-boarding model, this is no hallowed ground institution preserved in aspic – today’s pupils are as passionate about robotics as they are about debating, access has widened with more fully-funded places and scholarships, and innovation continues to thrive under the steady hand of John Moule who’s now led the school for a decade. It’s safe to say that the days of Radley being seen as a bit stuffy and stuck in the past are well and truly over.
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Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks
Saturday Group Visit - 18 January 2025
Saturday Group Visit - 08 February 2025
Saturday Group Visit - 08 March 2025
Saturday Group Visit - 14 May 2025
Saturday Group Visit - 07 June 2025
Open Day - 14 June 2025
Recognised globally as one of the top IB schools in the world, sought-after Sevenoaks is academically rigorous, with fantastic facilities and a down-to-earth, all-inclusive approach. Helmed by head Jesse Elzinga –– who is as polished as he is welcoming – the school flies under the radar somewhat, which Mr Elzinga seems perfectly content with. When you’re this good, there’s no need to blow your own trumpet.
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Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames
Whole School Open Event 09:00 - 12:00 - 22 March 2025
Selective but aimed at a broad range of abilities, Shiplake College is an authentic and unpretentious place that takes a holistic approach to educating ‘good eggs’. Until now, girls had only been able to join in the sixth form, but the exciting news is that as of September 2023, the school is now fully co-ed, welcoming them from Year 7.
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Sir William Perkins's School , Chertsey
Open Day - 13 March 2025
Open Day - 03 April 2025
Stellar academics are combined with a fantastic co-curricular programme (it has a particularly fine reputation in rowing) at this day school in Surrey. A new head joined in September and she already has her feet firmly under the desk, ensuring pupils’ individuality continues to be championed – there are no identikit students here, just high-achievers in charge of their own future.
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St James Senior Boys' School, Ashford
Open Day - 12 March 2025
Open Day - 08 May 2025
This boys-only school in Ashford, Surrey takes a holistic approach to education, with a focus on philosophy, wellbeing and individualised learning. The end result is well-rounded young men who have been encouraged to work outside their comfort zone and grow as learners, as well as people. It’s also the only school in the country to offer Sanskrit to GCSE.
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The Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover
Open Morning - 07 December 2024
Open Morning - 11 January 2025
Open Morning - 18 January 2025
Open Morning - 25 January 2025
Open Morning - 01 February 2025
Open Morning - 08 February 2025
This state boarding school’s rich history and majestic location near the White Cliffs of Dover definitely have the wow factor, but even more impressive is the all-round education that instils perhaps the strongest sense of community we’ve encountered at a school. ‘We are one big Dukie family,’ the head boy told us. Military-inspired values of courage, integrity, respect, commitment, loyalty and self-discipline bind everyone together, and while academics are important, so is turning out thoughtful and well-motivated individuals who are ready to enter adulthood with resilience, rigour and leadership.
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The Marist School, Ascot
Senior Open Morning - 31 January 2025
Excellence is a habit not a vision at this high-flying all-through, all-girls’ school. No less important is commitment and kindness to others. The school community is like a happy, tight-knit family, with every pupil known by every member of staff, and many parents old girls themselves – some even come back to work here. Parents are told to ‘trust us’, and that faith is not misplaced. Academics are top-notch, sports teams are embarrassingly successful, and girls are articulate, kind and thoughtful.
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Thornton College, Milton Keynes
Meet the Head - 23 January 2025
Open Morning - 08 March 2025
Meet the Head - 08 May 2025
Very much an all-through school, Thornton College is one family on one site with a focus on inclusive values, and an incredibly inspiring head at the helm. Girls we met were confident, chatty and exceptionally well behaved – and nurture is well and truly baked in.
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Tonbridge School, Tonbridge
Mini Open Morning - 05 December 2024
Mini Open Morning - 16 January 2025
Mini Open Morning for Chinese New Year - 31 January 2025
Open Morning - 08 February 2025
Mini Open Morning for Day Boys - 18 March 2025
It is with experience, passion and rigour that we strive to get under the skin of a school and help parents understand why they would send their children there. But at Tonbridge School, we have simply been left wondering ‘Why wouldn’t they?’ It’s hard not to roll out the superlatives when it comes to this all-boys’ wonder of a school in Kent that’s been acing it as one of the country’s top schools for aeons. Academically astounding yet highly emotionally intelligent, big on community spirit, filled to the brim with a wonderfully refreshing mix of pupils, and faultless at turning out charming boys ready to tackle an ever-changing world, Tonbridge sets itself apart from the rest.
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