Ipswich High School is a vibrant day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-18, set in an idyllic 87-acre campus in Woolverstone on the banks of the River Orwell. With approximately 500 pupils, we are a small school with big school facilities. We have small classes of hard-working pupils and inspirational teachers who help to instil a love of learning, the results of which are exceptional academic outcomes year-on-year.
We are just as ambitious outside the classroom and pride ourselves on the huge breadth of our co-curricular programme (we call this ‘Enrichment’). The 300 clubs and activities we offer as part of our Enrichment Programme are embedded as part of the school day and underline our commitment to the holistic education of the whole child.
We offer a high class ‘boutique’ boarding experience in our two small, award-winning boarding houses; the Barns and The Dairy House. This offer includes full, weekly, flexi and occasional boarding for pupils from Year 7 to Year 13.
We believe in getting to know every pupil and use these positive relationships to ensure that everyone in our community is inspired, happy and successful; above all building the foundations to flourish.
The school was founded in 1878 and since 1992 has been situated in the Grade I listed Palladian mansion, Woolverstone Hall. The school occupies 87 acres of beautiful parkland in a rural location just four miles outside the county town of Ipswich. The spacious site has been adapted well to the needs of a forward-looking school with superb facilities, including a theatre, ICT suites, 25m indoor heated swimming pool, Sixth Form Centre, cookery rooms and AstroTurf pitch. The school capitalises on its outstanding natural surroundings: the woodland provides an outdoor learning area for the Prep School and the pond and parkland are often used for scientific research.
Pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum from which they enjoy great academic success. In 2023, for GCSE 10% more pupils achieved a 9-8 grade than the previous year. Likewise, our Sixth Form saw remarkable A Level results this year as 24% of students achieved A* grades and over 48% of students achieved A*-A grades.
Admissions. Admission to Nursery is after the child’s 3rd birthday. Admission into Reception is based on an informal assessment in a play situation. Entry to the rest of the Prep School is based on an assessment including written and numerical testing. Entry to the Senior School involves an interview, written test, and a school report. Sixth Form entry is based on an interview, GCSE results and a school report. International boarding entry is based on written assessments and a school report.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Day: Reception £4,070, Years 1 and 2 £4,285, Years 3-6 £4,730, Years 7 and 8 £6,050, Years 9-13 £6,435.
Boarding (Fees per annum) Full-time Boarding £42,120; Weekly Boarding (Sunday–Friday) £32,120; Flexi Boarding - 3 nights per week £75 per night, based on a 34 week academic year, excludes school fees; Flexi Boarding - 2 nights per week £80 per night, based on a 34-week academic year, excludes school fees; Flexi Boarding - 1 night per week £90 per night, based on a 34-week academic year, excludes school fees; Occasional Boarding Per Night £45 per night (only applicable if a school commitment requires a late finish/early start). Other combinations of boarding are available. For example, a week stay whilst parents are away. Please ask for prices.
International Deposits:
•A deposit of £3,500 is required
•If sponsorship is required there is an annual non-refundable compliance fee of £500
•If an English test is required there is a fee of £50 per test
Weekly and Full Boarding fees include:
•Tuition (Full-time and Weekly boarding only)
•Accommodation
•Food
•Laundry
•Use of all school facilities
•Enrichment Programme
•Some educational visits – please contact our Registrar for further information.
Woolverstone Scholarship Programme. Our Woolverstone Scholarship Programme is for our scholars from Years 7–13, with scholarships being awarded in Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12. This programme ensures that our scholars continue to develop their considerable talents by providing them with additional support and unique opportunities. Academic Scholars are supported to complete independent scholar projects, whilst Sport Scholars, Music Scholars, Art Scholars, Dance Scholars and Drama Scholars will enjoy scholarship programmes designed by the relevant Head of Department. These scholars are also able to access the academic scholar projects should they wish to do so.
Year 7 & Year 9 Academic Scholarships. Upon receipt of a completed application form, all students will be invited into school to sit our Entrance Examination. The results of this assessment are combined with the information provided from recent school reports to decide who is eligible to receive an Academic Scholarship offer. These are then awarded by the Head, and you do not apply.
Year 7 Arthur Ransome Scholarships. All students entering Year 7, including those from our Prep School, may apply for one or more of the following Arthur Ransome Scholarships: Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport. These Scholarships, which may attract a tuition fee award, are awarded from Years 7 through to 11, provided the Scholar continues to demonstrate commitment to their chosen area.
Year 9 George Orwell Scholarships. George Orwell Scholarships are for pupils joining Ipswich High School for our GCSE programme in Year 9. Students can apply for one or more of the following: Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport. These Scholarships, which may attract a tuition fee award, are awarded for Years 9 through to 11, provided the Scholar continues to demonstrate commitment to their chosen area.
Year 12 Woolverstone Scholarships. All students entering our Sixth Form, including those progressing from our GCSE programme, may apply for a Woolverstone Scholarship. These are our most prestigious Academic Scholarships and are awarded for Years 12 and 13 to pupils who demonstrate strength in any academic discipline, as well as being predicted a strong set of GCSE grades.
Those applying to Ipswich High School from state-funded schools are also eligible to apply for our Elliston Award.
Year 12 Sophie Youngman Scholarships. Named after the founder of Ipswich High School, this Scholarship exists to recognise any Sixth Form student who is currently excelling in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport. Like the Woolverstone Scholarships, these are awarded for both Years 12 and 13.