Westbourne School

Called “one of the most consistently high-achieving independent schools
in Britain” (Sunday Times), Westbourne has led the UK league tables for 5
years in a row, been named IB School of the Year, achieved ‘Excellent’ in all
inspection categories, and consistently maintained a 90% graduate-entry rate
to top Russell Group and Ivy League universities.

Established in 1896, Westbourne is increasingly recognised as an innovator in
education. Winner of the Global EdTech Award 2023 and on the EdTech50 list
of organisations shaping UK education through cutting-edge technology, the
school was also recently shortlisted for Best Use of Tech in the Tes Awards.

A global, future-focused approach
Students develop the skills to succeed on the global stage in competitive industries,
supported by Westbourne’s rapidly expanding international network of elite
IB Diploma colleges, with a mission to prepare leaders of the future in business
and STEM. Westbourne College Sydney ranked 1st in Australia for the highest
proportion of 44+ IBDP Point grades with its first graduating class. Westbourne
College Singapore launches in August 2023, with plans for Mumbai underway.
Students collaborate globally, exchanging knowledge through virtual classes and
international exchange trips. Partnerships with universities and companies such as
Bloomberg and INSEAD professors create an extraordinary educational offering.
Award-winning excellence
• 1st in the UK, 5 years in a row (Daily Telegraph/Best-Schools; smaller schools)
• IB School of the Year 2019 (Sunday Times)
• ‘Excellent’ in all 5 inspection categories (Estyn)
• Winner, Global EdTech Award 2023
• Finalist, Best Use of Technology 2023 (Tes)
• Finalist, Senior School of the Year 2022 (ISA)
• Finalist, Best International Student Experience 2022 (ISOTY)

Gold standard programmes
IB Diploma-only Sixth Form, internationally recognised for its breadth of
programme. In 2021, 50% achieved over 40 points, with 85% attaining 7/6
(A*/A equivalent), 96.8% 7-5 (A*-B). Average IB Point score of 39 places
Westbourne within the top 25 IB schools worldwide (38 IB points is the
minimum entry-level to Oxbridge). At GCSE, 86% of GCSE grades A-A*
equivalent (9-7) in 2021. One year Pre-Diploma foundation course also
available for international students.

Westbourne School
Certainty of university entry
90% Russell Group university average. Graduates progress to highly
competitive degrees including medicine, engineering, economics, computer
science, business and law.

STEM curriculum
A leading-edge STEM curriculum immerses students in coding, programming
and robotics, supported by groundbreaking AI technology offering enhanced
research and independent study opportunities.

Boarding
Located in the safe seaside town of Penarth, ranked as one of the Top 10 best
places to live in the UK and minutes from Cardiff, Westbourne is a traditional
British school with a vibrant global outlook, with 40 nationalities in the UK.
Boarders live a 2-minute walk from school in a modern boarding house,
supported by live-in, caring houseparents. Entrepreneurship, debating and
drama, science and philosophy societies, critical thinking classes and benefiting
from a wealth of local facilities include tennis courts, gym, sailing, athletics
fields, Olympic pool, white-water rafting and ice rinks to name just a few.
Outstanding teachers and unparalleled support.

Offering individualised academic excellence, Westbourne has a warm and
highly supportive culture. Small classes, an 8:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio and a
tutorial style ensures every student excels. More than 50% of teachers have
a PhD or Masters and more than 50% have taught internationally.

“Westbourne is one of the most consistently highachieving independent schools in Britain.”
Sunday Times Best Schools Guide 2022

Scholarships Scholarships are available up to a maximum of 50% from the total fee (including boarding and tuition). Each year, we aim to offer several scholarships but the exact number depends on the quality of applicant. They are awarded in years 9-13 and are maintained year upon year conditional on an average level 6 in the end of term reports with no subject below a level 4. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and by demonstrating an affinity with the guiding principles of the International Baccalaureate Programme. Identification with these principles is assessed in the confidential school recommendation and in the personal interview with the Head of School. Students interested in applying for a scholarship should state this at the point of application when school reports are submitted. Final award of a scholarship is the decision of the Head of School alone, whose decision is final. Scholarships may be applied for at any time during the year.

Name: Canna Yuan Year / Option for Study: Year 9 Boarder Nationality: Chinese (HK)

For Canna, finding Westbourne was school was a fortune event – in and amongst a UK School Expo in Hong Kong, Canna was drawn to Westbourne School: “When I went into the exhibition I found it so interesting and it was so new to me that I left my mum and started walking around. I was quickly attracted by a school which had a really high standard of academic success and friendly atmosphere and it is the school that I’m now studying in, Westbourne School.”

After applying to three UK schools and successfully passing English and Maths tests, Canna had acceptances from all three of her choices. Out of these three, Canna decided to go to Westbourne, saying, “Westbourne has all the features of my dream school.”

She admits that leaving friends and family was very hard for her and when she saw the school, she was overwhelmed by its size. But Canna quickly settled in with us: “I found it so family-like that I never had homesickness or nightmares as you would never feel alone in this school.”

The location of Westbourne School and the Boarding House soon took hold of Canna, “Wales has combined both traditional and modern elements, and in Penarth where my school is settled, you can see some really modern houses near pier but also Victorian houses all over the town, even in the cliff top!” and she has flourished here with us: “I have chosen 11 subjects for my GCSEs and on my last report I got all A*s and 2 As, the teaches are all very nice and you can ask them or even email them when you have difficulties.”

Both family and friends suggested to Canna that she might regret coming to the UK to study at such a young age, but she argues, “You’ll never know if you never try, I enjoyed so much studying here and if you give me a chance to choose again, I’ll definitely choose to study in Wales and of course, Westbourne School!

Name: Jack Gillanders Year / Option for Study: Year 11 GCSE Day School Nationality: British “There is a really good family feeling about the school with everyone, in every year.” Jack joined Westbourne at the start of Year 9 after having attended another local school. Two years on, Jack realises just how much of a difference his school life at Westbourne has made to his studies: “I had trouble with learning and keeping attention in class before I joined Westbourne, but since Year 9 my grades have improved massively.” Westbourne’s commitment to supporting and fostering the achievements – both academic and extra-curricular – of pupils and students is what Jack has pin-pointed as the dominating factor for his improvement: “I really enjoy the close one to one lessons with the teachers because they pay you a lot of courtesy and care and get to know your personality. This makes me feel more comfortable around school.” Although he still has his two years in the Sixth Form ahead of him, Jack is already considering the future post-Westbourne and he isn’t at all worried: “I am looking forward to one day leaving Westbourne and getting a job for myself. Thanks to the fantastic teaching, I feel confident about it all.” Name: Simon von der Mühll Year / Option for Study: Year 12, First Year of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Nationality: German “I chose Westbourne because it is a small and personal school, the teachers are superior and I think these points are very important to achieving the best marks.” Simon has been at Westbourne for 9 months, coming to the UK from Germany so that he could experience the variety of cultures and experiences Westbourne School is able to offer. For Simon, the decision to study in the UK was to “improve my English and to get to know a new country and new cultures.” A big step for anyone, Simon is happy he made it with Westbourne: “To be at Westbourne School is a really exciting experience. I like my nice host family I am staying with, I like the interesting and friendly people I meet and to have this wonderful chance to study here.” Westbourne offers the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB), as a modern and internationally minded alternative to A-levels. Half way through his first year of the IB, Simon is convinced he made the right choice for his future. With his final year ahead of him and his future in mind, Simon “I really like the school and I am looking forward to getting top marks and getting into the best universities.”