By the end of this guide you’ll be able to shortlist 5–8 English boarding schools by results, fees and boarding style, read inspection and pastoral signals, and know the next admissions steps. Figures are a 2025 snapshot — always check the school website or ISI for updates. ExpatsUK is the practical hub behind this checklist: we compare fees, offer nationality‑aware notes (visa and travel pointers) and have a downloadable shortlist template — with local parent message boards coming soon.
How to use this guide — and how ExpatsUK helps you build a shortlist
Read the snapshot table below to pick initial candidates. Use the scoring method in the next section to narrow to 5–8 schools quickly. Finally, validate choices with the inspection and visit checklist in the admissions section.
ExpatsUK help box — grab our downloadable shortlist template, consult our fee roundups and nationality notes for visa/travel advice, and (soon) join local groups to ask current parents about weekend travel and houseparenting. Practical tools, not theory.
At‑a‑glance comparison: results, fees and boarding types (2025 snapshot)
Use this compact table to identify strong candidates. Percentages are school‑reported 2025 figures where available; fees are approximate annual equivalents (three terms) and may exclude extras.
| School | 2025 A‑level A*/A (%) | 2025 GCSE % (9–8) | Boarding type | Approx annual boarding fee | International‑friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster School | 94.2% | 97.6% | Boarding available (school focus on Sixth Form) | ~£65,976 | Yes |
| St Paul’s School | 93.5% | 97.75% | Boarding (boys; co‑ed Sixth Form) | Varies — check school | Yes |
| Eton College | ~89% | — | Full boarding (boys) | ~£63,300 | Yes |
| Wycombe Abbey | High 80s | 96.9% | Full/weekly (girls) | ~£61,500 | Yes |
| Brighton College | ~89.7% (A‑level cluster) | ~98.0% | Full / weekly / flexi | Mid–to‑upper range (check school) | Yes |
| Concord College | Strong A‑level performance | Strong GCSE/IGCSE | Full / weekly / flexi (international focus) | Varies (international programmes) | Very |
| Sevenoaks School | High A‑level results | High GCSE results | Full / weekly / flexi | Varies | Yes |
| Wellington College | High A‑level results | High GCSE results | Full / weekly / flexi | Varies | Yes |
| TASIS / Cheltenham (select) | Top bracket for fees | — | Boarding (international curricula) | £60k–£67k+ | Yes |
How to read this table. Exam percentages reflect cohort strength and entry profile; a high GCSE or A‑level figure often follows selective intake. Fees shown are annual equivalents (term ×3); many schools quote per term. Always ask for the school’s current fee schedule and what’s included. For a wider primer on how the UK school system and entry points work, see How UK Schools Work: A Complete Guide for Expat Parents.
Choosing criteria & a simple scoring method to narrow to 5–8 schools
Score each school 0–10 on the criteria below, then multiply by the weighting you prefer. Default weighting we use for busy expat parents: Academics 40%, Fees 20%, Boarding fit 15%, Pastoral/inspection 15%, Location/transport 10% — adjust these to your family’s priorities.
Worked example (illustrative): score out of 10, multiply by weights (decimal form) and add.
Westminster — Academics 9.5×0.40 = 3.80; Fees 2×0.20 = 0.40; Boarding fit 6×0.15 = 0.90; Pastoral 8×0.15 = 1.20; Location 9×0.10 = 0.90 → Total 7.20/10.
Brighton College — Academics 9.0×0.40 = 3.60; Fees 4×0.20 = 0.80; Boarding fit 8×0.15 = 1.20; Pastoral 7×0.15 = 1.05; Location 7×0.10 = 0.70 → Total 7.35/10. In this example Brighton slightly edges Westminster for a family prioritising boarding flexibility and modestly lower fees.
Use shortlists as working lists — here are four sample shortlists with one‑line rationales you can copy and test with the scoring method.
Academic / Oxbridge track: Westminster, St Paul’s, Eton, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey — elite exam results and strong Oxbridge progression.
Top GCSE / younger cohort option: Brighton College, St Paul’s, Westminster, Wycombe Abbey — excellent GCSE outcomes and strong junior provision.
International & flexible boarding: Concord College, Brighton College, Sevenoaks, Wellington, TASIS — explicit support for overseas pupils and flexi/weekly options.
Value / access through bursaries: Winchester, Westminster and several others run active means‑tested bursary programmes — prioritise schools where bursary criteria match your situation.
Quick test — three priority questions to turn your shortlist into a visit list: Do you need weekend travel home? Is a scholarship or a means‑tested bursary essential? Do you prefer single‑sex or co‑educational houses?
Fees, scholarships and budgeting from abroad
Typical 2025 annual boarding fees for leading schools sit roughly between £36,000 and £67,000. Examples: Eton ~£63k, Westminster ~£66k, Wycombe Abbey ~£61.5k, TASIS / Cheltenham towards the top end. Schools quote per term or per half; confirm whether the figure you’re given is per term, per half‑term or annual.
Hidden extras commonly include uniforms, music lessons, trips, medical costs, extra tuition, exam re‑sits, weekend travel, and pocket money — ask for a sample invoice so you can budget realistically.
Scholarships are merit‑based (often partial fee remission for academics, sport, music). Bursaries are means‑tested and can cover everything from part fees to full fees plus extras. Application timelines usually run a year ahead for competitive entry; bursary applications require detailed financial paperwork — schools expect accurate overseas income documentation.
Practical expat tips: request a current sample invoice, confirm currency and international bank transfer details, ask which extras are included, and check whether scholarships can combine with bursaries. For visa and dependent travel arrangements see our UK Dependant Visa: Step‑by‑Step Guide for Family.
Inspection, pastoral care and safeguarding — read the signs, not just the grades
Find inspection reports at isi.net (Independent Schools Inspectorate) or on school websites; Ofsted applies in specific cases. Look for the boarding and safeguarding sections and read the inspector’s commentary rather than only the headline words.
What to look for in reports and visits: clear boarding welfare statements, named safeguarding leads, staff training references, up‑to‑date record‑keeping, and explicit transition support for international pupils. Practical pastoral indicators include houseparent-to‑pupil ratios, a full‑time nurse or medical centre, on‑site counsellors, a structured weekend programme, and a dedicated international student coordinator.
Green flags: recent positive boarding welfare comments; structured international induction; transparent complaints procedures. Red flags: unresolved safeguarding recommendations, repeated issues noted across inspections, high turnover among house staff, or vague pastoral policies.
Three ready questions to ask the pastoral team on a visit:
1. How is the first month organised for a child arriving from overseas? (expect a named buddy, induction and extra pastoral checks.)
2. What does weekend supervision look like and how often are pupils allowed home? (clarify travel logistics.)
3. Can you show recent ISI boarding/safeguarding findings and explain steps taken to address any recommendations?
For practical guidance on settling children and family life in the UK see Raising Children in the UK as an Expat: An In‑Depth, Practical Guide.
Admissions, visits and practical next steps (a checklist for busy expat parents)
Typical timeline and practical actions:
- Register with schools and sit scholarship/entrance tests 9–18 months before intended entry (11+, 13+, 16+ windows vary by school).
- Complete bursary paperwork and provide overseas financial documents early (often 6–12 months before entry).
- Book virtual tours and taster days; arrange a boarding‑house visit and a short stay if possible.
Assessments: common papers include ISEB/Common Pre‑test/Common Entrance at 11+/13+ and school‑specific 16+ interviews and predicted grade conversations. Open‑day must‑see items: the boarding house (meet the houseparent), pastoral team, medical centre, sample timetable, fee inclusions, and transport links to your nearest airport.
Taster day tips: treat it like a short audit — notice routines, food, laundry, evening supervision and how staff interact with pupils. For interviews, be honest about your child’s interests and any support they may need.
Offers and deposits: deposits are standard and acceptance deadlines are firm; ask about waiting‑list etiquette and appeals procedures if you need flexibility.
If you need help with the application process, see our step‑by‑step FAQ for applying to a school place: How do I apply for a school place?
Template email to request a virtual tour / ISI report (copy‑paste):
Dear Admissions Team, I am an international family considering entry for Year [X] in [term/year]. Could you please confirm upcoming virtual tour dates and send the latest ISI boarding/safeguarding report PDF? Also, could you provide a sample fee invoice showing what is included? Thank you — I look forward to arranging a time to speak. Regards, [Your name]
Use Expats Guides & Blog to download our shortlist template and (soon) join community boards to connect with current parents, ask about weekend travel routines and arrange informal chats or visits.
Two final points: exam tables give you a starting list, not the full picture — check pastoral and inspection detail before committing. And use the simple scoring method here to turn an impressive longlist into a practical shortlist of 5–8 schools you can visit and decide between.