There are a handful of state boarding schools in the UK. As the education is free, parents only pay for boarding, making these schools an accessible option. With top-notch Ofsted reports, excellent extracurricular opportunities, and outstanding pastoral care, we round up the top state boarding schools in the country…
The Royal School Wolverhampton | West Midlands
Located in a leafy suburb of Wolverhampton, The Royal is conveniently situated between countryside and the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham, giving pupils ample opportunity to experience the rich contrasts of British life. Furthermore, as a State Boarding School, it is a very attractive option for students with British passports or leave to remain. Tuition is free and Boarding costs are £16,740 for the year.
The Royal is a small, cohesive community with a friendly atmosphere for both day pupils and boarders alike. The school’s strong academic tradition is based upon individual attention and encouragement, as well as excellent pastoral care founded on respect, tolerance and understanding of others. Students achieve their full academic potential, whilst a wide range of extra-curricular activities is available to develop character and leadership.
Cranbrook School | Kent
Cranbrook School is a genuinely unique place. Fully co-educational, it’s state-funded selective day and boarding grammar school, with a 500-year history, and set within the heart of the glorious Kent countryside.
The school’s aim is to develop not only outstanding academic achievement, but to provide opportunities for pupils to develop skills and explore their talents both inside and outside of the classroom. Cranbrook does this by offering a supportive environment that is enriched by a varied co-curriculum to enhance pupils’ education.
Thomas Adams School | Shropshire
Set in rural Shropshire, Adams House at Thomas Adams School is a fantastic option for families, offering outstanding yet affordable boarding care at £3,625 per term for boys and girls aged 11-18. With over 450 years of boarding excellence, the school provides an exceptional education and a fantastic range of extra-curricular activities, including CCF and DoE. The boarding house feels like a home away from home, welcoming up to 65 students from the UK and worldwide.
Hockerill Anglo-European College | Hertfordshire
Hockerill Anglo-European College is a leading co-educational state boarding school located in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Home to some 400 boarders and 500 day students, Hockerill is one of the largest state boarding schools offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate Programme.
Hockerill’s commitment to community, opportunity, and aspiration is demonstrated through a strong international outlook, a focus on languages and a thriving co-curricular offering. Students are encouraged to discover their passions and thrive in a supportive environment, confident that when the time comes, they will leave the College as knowledgeable, enquiring and caring global citizens with a desire to dream big and the skills and confidence to make it happen.
The Royal Alexandra and Albert School | Surrey
The Royal Alexandra and Albert School is a co-educational, non-selective state boarding school for children aged 7-18. Located in 260 acres of parkland near Reigate, Surrey, it has a rich history dating back to 1758. The school offers an extensive Co-Curricular Programme with over 100 activities each term, supported by excellent facilities such as an Equestrian Centre, fitness suite, swimming pool and a fleet of Steinway pianos. Vibrant, dynamic and diverse, the school aims to enhance lives, ignite curiosity and inspire compassionate leaders through high expectations and personalised support. This ensures students are happy, successful and future-ready.
St George’s School | Hertfordshire
St George’s School is a non-selective day and boarding school in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The co-ed school takes pupils aged 11-18, and has a Christian ethos.
St George’s says “Our school is a unique and special place. Founded on a Christian ethos; dynamic and exciting to be part of, friendly, caring, and challenging in equal part, it is an excellent environment to receive what we consider to be an outstanding holistic education. Our students and staff are loyal, proud, and purposeful, our motto, “Aim Higher” challenging all of us to be the best we can be. We have history, tradition, and heritage, and a genuine determination to know and care for everyone, whether you are a day student or part of our diverse and inclusive boarding community.”
St George’s prides itself on being ‘quirky’, with Ofsted saying its success lies in the “alchemy of the intangible”.
Haberdashers’ Adams | Shropshire
Haberdashers’ Adams is a selective co-ed state grammar school with boarding for boys in Shropshire; just 75 minutes from London Euston to Stafford. The 365-year-old school has an enviable reputation for academic, musical and sporting excellence. Junior boarders live in Longford Hall, a Georgian mansion, set in one hundred acres. Senior boarders continue in Beaumaris Hall, a purpose-built boarding house metres from the school campus. In essence, pupils are able to enjoy a free grammar school education and full boarding from £4,851 a term – a third of the cost of many independent boarding schools and often less than London day school fees.
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School | Kent
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is renowned for its exceptional pastoral care, ensuring each student thrives in the supportive, home-from-home environment. The school boasts outstanding academic progress, nurturing students on their chosen path and leading to remarkable success. Beyond the classroom, students enjoy vast opportunities, from diverse extracurricular activities to leadership development programs. Students, affectionately known as Dukies, consistently secure places at prestigious destinations, including Russell Group universities, reflecting the school’s commitment to excellence in education. This combination of academic rigor, personal support, and broad opportunities prepares students to leave ready to make their mark on the world.
Gordon’s School | Surrey
Gordon’s School is the national monument to General Charles Gordon and listed as one of Britain’s outstanding schools by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Set in 50 acres of Surrey countryside, this non-selective, co-educational, day/boarding school is in the top 5% of schools nationally for progress at A Levels.
While embracing modern ideas, General Gordon’s legacy of traditional values remain. The school’s ethos is that high performance without good character is not true success. To this end, students excel in the classrooms, the arts; debating; public speaking and sport. The school also boasts an enviable record in Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Old Swinford Hospital
Awarded triple ‘Outstanding’ for boarding by Ofsted, Old Swinford Hospital (OSH) offers an independent school experience at a fraction of the fee.
OSH is a happy, vibrant and distinctive state boarding school for for boys and girls aged 11-18, where traditions and values sit comfortably alongside innovation. Extensive sports facilities mean many teams hold regional or national titles. There are 16 beautiful music ensembles and more than 45 co-curricular clubs; excellent STEM laboratories; and new art, drama and dance studios.
Boarding is at the heart of the community where students live together, learn together and thrive. The impact on the individual is threefold: boarders develop great resilience, independence and genuine confidence; show humility alongside aspiration; and grow lifelong friendships.
As Year 7 student Maisie-Grace says “No matter who you are, you always have a place at OSH”
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