West Buckland School

Details

  • Type of school: Co-Ed | Senior school with a junior department or a prep school
  • Nearest international airport: Exeter (80km)
  • Age Range: 3-18
  • Number of pupils: 672
  • Number of boarders: 137
  • £ Fees per term - Boarding: £11,980 -£14,770
  • £ Fees per term -Day: £6,140

School Information

West Buckland School was founded in 1858 and is an independent day and
boarding school set in 90 acres of stunning countryside in the South West of
England. Students enjoy learning in a beautiful and safe rural location, close to
the spectacular Atlantic coast and Exmoor National Park in North Devon. The
school is located 35 minutes from the M5 motorway and transport services to and
from London Heathrow and other regional travel points are available. Trains from
Tiverton Parkway take two hours to London Paddington.

Facilities
The heart of the school is contained in handsome 19th-century buildings with
many modern additions including a first-class sports complex and outstanding
facilities for art, design technology and drama. An exciting Sixth Form coeducational boarding house providing 70 en-suite single bedrooms was opened
in September 2015, along with a study centre for all pupils aged 11-18 housing
open-plan learning spaces, library and IT resources, classrooms, a dedicated Sixth
Form area and higher education and careers centre. All pupils in the senior school
are issued with their own Microsoft Surface. The school earned the coveted EcoSchools Green Flag award with distinction in 2023, acknowledging the school’s
approach to sustainability and biodiversity. These impressive facilities have created
a dynamic hub in the campus, encouraging integration and interaction between
boarding and day students
Curriculum: ‘Teachers here are upbeat and inspirational, classes feel
relaxed and inclusive, with children working in animated concentration’ –
Good Schools Guide. For many years, GCSE and A-level performance have placed
the school amongst the highest-achieving institutions in the Southwest and much
further afield and it is regularly ranked in the top 40 co-ed boarding schools in the
UK based on A-level results. At least 60% of students take places at universities in
the Russell and 1994 Groups, often recognised as the most prestigious, researchintensive universities in the world. The English as an Additional Language (EAL)
department provides support and teaching to international students, ensuring they
can cope with the increased challenges of learning in a second language. The school
has achieved status as an IB World School. This means they will be offering the IB
(International Baccalaureate) Career-related Programme from September 2023.
This prestigious program provides the students with a comprehensive and globally
recognised education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Boarding: ‘Plenty of activities, trips and the full raft of school facilities
on offer, leaving little time to miss home’ Good Schools Guide. The school
emphasises that being a non-full boarding institution means they put in extra effort
to create a vibrant weekend program that caters to the interests of all boarders.
They understand the importance of engaging activities during weekends, not only
for their boarders but also to encourage day pupils to stay over and participate. By
offering a diverse range of enjoyable weekend activities, the school strives to ensure
that all boarders have something they enjoy doing, fostering a sense of community
and camaraderie among the students. Their commitment to providing an enriching
and fulfilling weekend experience is a testament to their dedication to the overall
well-being and development of their boarding students.

‘Pupils’ excellent social awareness leads to newcomers of all backgrounds
being welcomed and integrated successfully, including within boarding’ – ISI.
Regularly shortlisted in prestigious awards for ‘Boarding School of the Year’ by
Independent Schools Magazine, the West Buckland boarding community makes
up around 30% of the school population. Our team of houseparents welcomes
students into a warm and homely family environment. Boarders typically come
from around 12 different countries, including the UK and boarding is especially
popular in the Sixth Form, as students are attracted to our outstanding Sixth Form
boarding facilities.

“An outdoorsy, inclusive and happy school that provides a genuinely holistic education in a wonderful
setting where pupils make lifelong friends” – Good Schools Guide

Scholarships and Bursaries

Scholarships and Bursaries at West Buckland School


Bursaries and Scholarships are funded from either school revenue or from funds provided by the West Buckland School Foundation. The school accounts identify the sums expended on bursaries and scholarships, as well as other fee remissions (such as sibling discount and staff fee remission).

Scholarships


Scholarships are awarded on the basis of an open competition for specific age groups (11+ and 13+). The arrangements for assessment may be varied but normally at 11+ will be included as part of the entry assessment to the Senior School. Arrangements and criteria for awards at 16+ can be discussed with the Headmaster. Unless a student’s performance or commitment deteriorates, a scholarship continues for the entire school career. Internal and external candidates may apply for scholarships. The maximum value of scholarships is currently 10% tuition fees. For information on our Sixth Form Art Scholarship, click here

Bursaries


All bursaries are awarded only after parents have completed a confidential statement of financial circumstances. This will normally be accompanied by a letter giving supporting information about the family circumstances now as well as some indication of how these circumstances may develop in the future. Awards are made by the Headmaster after discussion with the parents. Details of bursary awards must remain confidential and any breach by parents may lead to withdrawal of the award. Awards will usually be made with the expectation that this will be an agreement to facilitate continuity of education through to a ‘natural break point’ in education at age 11, 14 or 16. However, all bursaries are subject to annual reassessment and families are required to submit a new statement of financial circumstances by May each year. Parents are expected to provide supporting documentation on request. Failure to do so or wilful provision of misleading information may lead to the withdrawal of a bursary. As the value of scholarships has been reduced in recent years, funds have been released to provide means tested bursaries. These are designed to provide financial assistance for families in a variety of situations. Scholarships and Bursaries are awarded at the Headmaster’s discretion and as such, should be discussed with the Headmaster.

Student Profile

Will Brockman – Year 13


I have been at West Buckland since Year 9 and am now in Year 13 studying music, religious studies and history. I've had a great time here and have made lots of valuable friends. There are various opportunities to do things other than my A-levels; I'm a member of the hockey and cricket 1st teams and I also take part in the Chapel Choir, Orchestra and Jazz band and I've also been given the chance to have my own band. I've boarded since I joined and I've learned how to be independent and I also find more time to do my work. The boarding community is an exciting one and the houseparents have helped me out whenever I've needed it. Annabel Heath – Year 9 I started at West Buckland in Year 7 and on my first day I was very nervous but all of the children in my year are very friendly and I settled in very quickly. I have always loved sport and the facilities here are great and I love the fantastic new art block! I was captain of the hockey team this season and in the winter I also do cross-country, swimming and netball. In the summer I play rounders' and tennis but my favourite sport is athletics and I run for Devon. There is a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs, I go to drama club and sing in the choir. I have loved every minute of my time here so far, I even went skiing with the school this year for the very first time!

News

West Buckland School Art Students wins place to exhibit at Royal Academy of Arts

West Buckland School student wins competition to have her art exhibited at the Royal Academy in London as part of their Summer Exhibition. West Buckland School’s Michelle Chang in Year 13 has won a prestigious competition to have her artwork ‘The Missing Supermarket Aisles’, displayed in the Royal Academy of Arts. Each year, the famous

West Buckland School Choir to Perform With Tenors Trio

West Buckland School choir to perform alongside Tenors Unlimited this weekend at Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple Members of the West Buckland School Junior and Senior Choirs will be performing alongside well-known tenor trio Tenors Unlimited this weekend, as part of the group’s 20th anniversary country-side tour. The performance, at Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple, will take place on

West Buckland Win Prestigious UNESCO North Devon Biosphere award for 2021

West Buckland School WEBS (West Buckland Ecology and Biodiversity) group, have won the 2021 UNESCO North Devon Biosphere ‘Pledge for Nature’ award following their dedicated work to increasing awareness of ecology and sustainability at school. West Buckland School WEBS (West Buckland Ecology and Biodiversity) group, have won the 2021 UNESCO North Devon Biosphere ‘Pledge for

West Buckland Student Chosen for Exeter Chiefs Academy’s First Match After COVID

West Buckland School Year 13 students, Josh Nalevea, has been picked to play in the Exeter Chiefs Academy’s first match back after COVID. The match, this Saturday, will be against Worcester, away. Josh joined West Buckland in the Sixth Form but his passion for rugby has been hugely curtailed by the COVID pandemic which saw

West Buckland Artists Top North Devon Young Artist Competition

West Buckland School students have won the U18 and U16 categories of The Art Society’s North Devon Young Artists’ Competition, with some stunning work. West Buckland School students have won the U18 and U16 categories of The Art Society’s North Devon Young Artists’ Competition, with some stunning work. The A-level students also received special recognition

West Buckland Sea Shanty to Welcome in Half Term

West Buckland School’s music department with their excellent version of the sea shanty, The Wellerman. West Buckland School music department is well known for producing outstanding musical productions and we have all missed the glorious sound of choirs and orchestras practicing during lunch breaks and after school and the thrill of live performances. So, to

West Buckland School wins boarding and innovation awards

West Buckland has been recognised for the quality of its boarding provision and for its innovation. Shortlisted in the Independent School Awards for ‘Boarding School of the Year 2020’, the school was recognised for the high standard of boarding across all ages, together with its outstanding facilities in Sixth Form and for the wide-ranging activities

West Buckland School produces face masks for medics

West Buckland School’s Design and Technology Department has responded to the urgent need for PPE (personal protection equipment) for key workers in North Devon, by making plastic face masks using the school’s 3-D printer. In addition, the science departments at the school have donated safety goggles and glasses to local doctors surgeries in North Devon,

West Buckland unveils new Personalised Learning Department

West Buckland School has opened a new Personalised Learning and Development Hub, enabling more children than ever to receive specialist one-to-one or group learning support. This new department marks the latest phase in the on-going expansion of the school’s campus facilities. The building includes small focus rooms, break out areas and social spaces where all children

West Buckland’s U14 and U15 cup wins round off great rugby season

West Buckland School’s U14 and U15 teams both won their finals in the North Devon Schools Rugby Cup, marking the first time since the competition began in its current format, that both teams have been crowned champions in the same year. The victories crowned the school’s most successful rugby season for many years. Both finals, which

West Buckland School Supporting Devon Medical Hopefuls

West Buckland are delighted to be running a joint initiative with North Devon Healthcare Trust to host an afternoon of mock medical interviews for students across Devon who are looking to pursue a medical career. Students from QE Crediton, Bideford College, Ilfracombe Academy, Pilton Community School and Mount Kelly will be taking part in a

EPQ grades add extra weight to West Buckland’s A-level results

Sixth Formers from West Buckland School have achieved an average UCAS score of 144 in their A-level results, equivalent to three As. As well as achieving an excellent 74.4% of grades at A* to B, the students excelled in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), run alongside their A-levels, and equivalent to half an A-level, with

West Buckland athletes break national records

West Buckland School produced outstanding performances at the National Prep School Athletics Finals, held at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham last month, with the team breaking three national records. Eden Robinson broke the UK national U13 record for the long jump with a jump of 5.29m, and also broke the U13 national record for 200m.

West Buckland athlete follows in footsteps of alumni Jonathan Edwards

West Buckland School Year 10 student, Reese Robinson, has qualified for the National Schools Athletics Finals in the triple jump, following an outstanding performance at the South West Championships in Exeter last weekend. She follows in the footsteps of former West Buckland pupil, Jonathan Edwards, who is the current triple jump world record holder. In

West Buckland named in top 40 co-ed boarding schools

West Buckland School has been placed in the UK’s Top 40 co-educational boarding schools, based on A-Level results. It is one of only two West Country co-ed boarding schools to make the list, positioning itself amongst some of the best-known and most selective schools in the country. The ranking table, produced for Best-Schools.co.uk by independent

West Buckland School rugby star selected for Lions tour

An aspiring rugby player from West Buckland School has been selected to join the Independent Schools RFC Lions U18s National squad on their rugby tour to South Africa. Magnus Carter-Burns, Year 13, was selected for the squad from all of the independent schools in the country and are notorious for their high level of play. West

West Buckland results show benefit for ‘home grown’ students

Two West Buckland School students, who have both been at the school since Year 3, have joined an exclusive club of only 730 others, in the country, in achieving a full-house of 9s in their GCSEs exams. Another 23% of students achieving ALL 9-7/A*-A grades. In total, 53.1% of all grades were passed at 9-7/A*-A, with

West Buckland A-level students achieve 100% pass rate

Sixth Formers from West Buckland School have achieved the perfect score in their A-levels, with a 100% pass rate. An impressive 77.8% of students achieved Grades A* to B, with 45.9% of students achieving A* to A and the top 80% of the sixth form cohort achieving a staggering 91% A* to B. Including Extended Project

West Buckland hockey teams enjoy successful seasons

West Buckland has enjoyed one of its most successful hockey seasons in recent years across the boys’ age groups. The U11 and U13 boys were crowned Devon Hockey Champions, reaching the West National Qualifiers, while the U13s won all their fixtures throughout the 2018 season. The U14s were crowned Devon Hockey Champions and remained undefeated

West Buckland School Achieves Excellent GCSE Performance

Year 11 students at West Buckland School have delivered an excellent set of GCSE results which has seen nearly a quarter of all exam entries awarded the top A* grade. 53% of exams were awarded either A* or A grades, with 95% of all exams passed at A* to C grades.  97% of the year

West Buckland Celebrates Excellent A Level Performance

West Buckland School students have delivered another excellent set of A-level results after 72% of all exams were passed at A*, A and B grades.  41% of all exams were awarded the top A* and A grades with the overall pass rate standing at 98%. It is the ninth successive year at the school where

West Buckland School’s new boarding house and study centre near completion

The new study centre and sixth form boarding house at West Buckland School in North Devon have been officially handed over to the school’s Governing Body as the construction project nears completion.  The handover marks the culmination of an ambitious build programme over the past 12 months resulting in some exceptional new facilities which will

West Buckland School Announces New Headmaster

West Buckland School in North Devon is pleased to announce that Mr Phillip Stapleton has been appointed Headmaster from 1st September 2016. Phillip is the current Deputy Headmaster at Ardingly College in West Sussex.  With a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Durham University, Phillip’s career began at Stonyhurst College in 1996 teaching chemistry

West Buckland School’s Foundation stone marks major milestone in new build

On Friday 10th April, the foundation stone laying ceremony of West Buckland’s exciting new Sixth Form Boarding House took place. School President, Paul Orchard-Lisle, laid the foundation stone, with the event marking a significant milestone in the latest major development at the North Devon independent school.  The new 70 room boarding house will open in

West Buckland Students Celebrate A-level Performance

Sixth Form students at West Buckland School are celebrating after another excellent year which sees 75.2% of all A-levels passed at A*, A and B grades. An impressive 45% of all exams were awarded the top A* and A grades, 91% were passed at A* to C, with the overall pass rate standing at 99.5%.

West Buckland’s Sporting News

West Buckland Netball Academy Selection Five West Buckland girls have been selected to join the U14 North Devon Netball Satellite Academy. Year 8 pupils Jess Thompson, Molly Down and Eluned Davies along with Year 7 pupils Tiger-Lily Redmore and Grace Wilton will take part in 15 academy training sessions commencing from September. The Satellite Academy

West Buckland To Build New Study Centre

West Buckland School has secured planning permission for a new Study Centre and Sixth Form Boarding House. Construction works on the £5m project will begin in July, with the development to the school campus transforming the study environment for all senior school pupils along with the living arrangements for sixth form boarders when both buildings

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