Rendcomb College is a co-educational, independent day and boarding school for children aged 3 to 18 in the heart of the Cotswolds, UK. The College was founded in 1920 by Noel Wills and is set within a stunning 230-acre parkland estate which is equidistant from Cheltenham and Cirencester.
Our Mission. Our mission is to develop thoughtful, adventurous and ambitious young people who are lifelong learners. We aim to prepare them with the character and skills to succeed in the ever-changing world after school. Our pupils have the freedom to experience, explore and enquire about the world around them. We aim to encourage independence and tolerance in a safe, caring community and magnificent natural environment.
To achieve this we will:
•Promote a growth mindset, where abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work;
•Provide a co-curriculum that will challenge and support character development, leadership and teamwork;
•Encourage individualism, creativity and contribution to a nurturing and collaborative community;
•Engender physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing through a strong pastoral system;
•Prepare pupils for life beyond school;
•Develop an appreciation for and responsible attitude towards their environment and surroundings.
Admission. Pupils join the Junior School from Nursery or Reception or join the Senior School at age 11, 13 or 16. The entrance examination at 11 is taken at Rendcomb and comprises three papers: English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. At 13, pupils are admitted by Common Entrance or Rendcomb Examination and at 16 by interview, school reports and GCSE results.
Curriculum. Rendcomb College’s curriculum extends well beyond the confines of the classroom and the core teaching day. Our small size in both the Junior and Senior schools enables all students to participate in a number of sports, in addition to a wide range of activities which begin after the end of formal lessons each day. Our philosophy is to consider these to be co-curricular, aimed at combining with the academic elements to genuinely develop the whole person and ensure that we provide a fully-rounded education.
University Entrance. In the last three years, leavers have gone on to a number of prestigious universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Swansea, Keele, Cardiff, Royal Holloway and Durham. Popular course choices by Rendcomb College students at these universities include Law, Medicine, Chemistry, Modern Language, and Computer Science.
Houses. Both Day pupils and Boarders share the same Houses, enabling strong friendships and comradery to flourish among all pupils throughout the College.
Pupils can board when they join the Senior School in Year 7 through to Sixth Form. From Year 10 upwards, all Boarders have their own study bedrooms which can be personalised, whilst the younger pupils share dormitories with two or three other students.
Our boarding is very flexible, especially at weekends; from Saturday teatime onwards, Boarders choose to stay at school to work, relax or join in family life at home. There are beds for Day pupils too if they wish to try boarding, or if they need to stay over.
In September 2019, the Year 7–9 house, Godman, opened following an extension and refurbishment. In Years 10 and 11, pupils are split by gender until they reach Sixth Form when they join the co-educational Park House.
Boarders’ weekends are full, busy and purposeful through the provision of an extensive programme of activities run by our Boarding Activities Coordinator.
The four Houses at Rendcomb College are located on the school’s campus and within easy reach of classrooms and sports facilities. The Houses offer an ideal setting for all pupils to thrive and develop under the guidance of the Houseparents and their pastoral and domestic teams.
Bursaries. A number of bursaries are awarded in keeping with the original charitable aims of the College’s Founder. The amount of the bursary award is not influenced by the level of the child’s academic ability but by the extent of need and each case is assessed on its own merits with awards being made accordingly.
Scholarships. A number of Scholarships (Academic, Art, Music, Drama and Sport) are awarded each year at Year 7, 9 and 12 with additional Scholarships awarded in Year 3. Scholarships are based on the assessment of a pupil’s potential and the value that we believe they will add to the life of our school. We also award the Noel Wills Scholarship and the Rendcomb Scholarship at Year 7.
Rendcomb celebrated its 100th birthday in 2020 and the Governors secured the launch of a number of 100% fully-funded scholarships for entry into Year 4 and Year 12.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: Boarding £14,358–£18,630, Day £8,712–£11,688. Junior School: Day £3,372–£6,359. We accept the Government’s 30 hours scheme in Nursery and Reception for qualifying families. Fees include VAT.
Charitable status. Rendcomb College is a Registered Charity, number 1115884.