Founded in 1564 by Lord Richard Riche, Felsted educates boys and girls aged 4 to 18. Felsted is ideally situated in a safe, picturesque North Essex village, close to both London and Cambridge, and within easy reach of Stansted and other international airports. Felsted is a Church of England foundation but welcomes pupils from all religious traditions and none. The Senior School, for 13- to 18-year-olds, has around 560 pupils; the majority are boarders and weekend arrangements are flexible. The Prep School is also home to approximately 450 pupils, with a buoyant boarding house, home to full, weekly and flexible boarders.
Felsted seeks to develop the character of every student, to help prepare them for life beyond school. This is done through a broad and holistic education with strength in Music, Drama, Sport, The Arts, Leadership and Service. Felsted seeks to develop and stretch students academically, to be lifelong learners, well-rounded, aspirational and globally minded, with the skills to flourish beyond school, applying the principles of a growth mindset, to be the best they can be.
Felsted celebrated its 460th anniversary in 2024.
The School is a Global Member of the Round Square Organisation offering international exchanges and collaboration, and offers both A levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the Sixth Form, plus the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The website hosts much information about the school plus many videos, including one called ‘Boarding at Felsted’. A Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) member school. Felsted was one of the first schools in the country to be inspected according to ISI’s new framework of standards in December 2023. The inspectors judged Felsted to be meeting the required Independent School Standards in every area and commented positively on all aspects of the provision covered by the report.
Details are available on our website, and directly on the ISI website. Felsted was awarded the TES Boarding School of the Year award in 2023, it was appointed by IB-Schools.com as ‘A Top 20 UK IB School for 2023’ for excellence in academic achievement, and was awarded by Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) the esteemed ‘Sleep Champion’ status in 2024. Felsted has also featured in the Tatler Schools Guide 2025 as one of the top schools in the United Kingdom.
The Houses. There are ten Houses at Felsted, a day house for boys, a day house for girls, three boarding houses for boys, three boarding houses for girls, an Upper Sixth House for boys and an Upper Sixth House for girls. Each House is under the direction of a resident Housemaster or Housemistress.
Each Boarding House is supported by a pastoral team comprising a resident Assistant House Parent, a matron responsible for overseeing the domestic arrangements, and several House tutors, a number of whom are resident.
The curriculum. All pupils study English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Sciences (Double or Triple Award) to GCSE and choose a further four subjects from the following: History, Geography, TEP (Theology, Ethics and Philosophy), French, German, Spanish, Latin, Classical Civilisation, Art and Design, Music, Drama, Triple Science, Design & Technology (Resistant Materials), Physical Education and Computer Science.
One of the options is expected to be a Modern Foreign Language and one is expected to be a Humanities subject.
In the Sixth Form, pupils have a choice between A levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Those studying A levels normally choose three subjects to study, along with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The following subjects are offered: Art and Design, Business, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama and Theatre, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Media Studies, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish), Music, Physical Education, Politics, Psychology, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and TEP (Theology, Ethics and Philosophy).
IB pupils study six subjects, one from each of the following categories: Language and Literature (English, German, Italian, Self-Study Language, Spanish and French), Language A (English, German, Italian, Self-Taught), Language (Other) (French, German, English, Spanish, Latin and Italian ‘ab initio’), Humanities (Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy, Psychology), Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics, Sports Exercise and Health Science), Mathematics (Maths Analysis and Approaches or Maths Applications and Interpretation), The Arts/Elective (Music, Visual Arts, Biology, Economics, French B, Spanish ab initio). They also follow a course on the Theory of Knowledge, write an extended essay and are fully involved in the Creativity, Action and Service Programme.
Scholarships, awards and bursaries. Academic, Music, Drama, Art, Design/Technology/Engineering and Sports Scholarships are awarded annually for entry into Year 7, 9, 10 and 12, up to the value of 20% of the fees.
The assessments for Year 7 entry take place in November and the following January. For Year 9, 10 and 12 in November and February (Academic only) in the year preceding entry.
Awards recognising all-round ability or a specific ability in one area, are also available.
Means-tested bursaries may be available to increase an award.
At least two Open Bursaries (100%) each year may be available to those who might otherwise not be able to consider Felsted, due to financial circumstances, as well as a Royal Docks Scholarship (100%) and the school has recently developed a link with the Royal Springboard Foundation to support a further two pupils a year.
Talented students in Design are also entered at 16+ for Arkwright Foundation Scholarships.
Fee reductions are available for children of those serving in the Armed Services, or the Foreign Office.
Full details are available at www.felsted.org and from the Admissions Office.
Registration and entry. Registration fee is £125. Registration can be completed whenever a family is ready, but this is usually completed around 1 year in advance, subject to year group of entry. Application deadlines and further details of registration for each entry phase can be found on www.felsted.org/admissions
Before admission to Felsted Senior School, prospective pupils must pass the Felsted Entrance assessment, provide a Head Teacher’s report and have an interview with the Felsted School Head. For Sixth Form entry, a minimum of 32 points must be gained across their best six subjects at GCSE, with at least a 6 in the subjects to be studied at A level or at Higher Level in the IB Diploma.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: Full Boarding (7 nights): £15,585, Weekly Boarding (5 nights): £14,435, Contemporary Boarding (3 nights): £12,595, Day: £10,180 Prep School: Day: £3,925–£7,785, Weekly Boarding: £9,480, Full Boarding: £10,595.
Felsted Prep School, whose Head is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools), shares the same governing body with Felsted School. It has its own campus, with approximately 500 pupils aged 4 to 13. There is a dedicated teaching centre for 11–13 year-olds and a state-of-the-art Pre-Preparatory Department, which opened in 2011. (For further information, see entry in IAPS section.)
The Old Felstedian Society organises both social and sporting activities, plus networking opportunities across a variety of industries. The Development & Alumni Relations team would be pleased to answer queries about the Alumni (ofs@felsted.org) and further information can be found via the school’s website.
Charitable status. Felsted School is a Registered Charity, number 310870. The charity is based upon the Foundation established by Richard Lord Riche in 1564 with the objective of teaching and instructing children across a broad curriculum as ordained from time to time by its Trustees.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chair of Governors: Mike Beale
Julia Abel Smith
Geoffrey Boult
Robert Brown
Jane Crouch
John Davies, OBE
Bobbi Davy
Dr James Nicholson
Lucilla Poston
Alison Sefton
Oliver Stocken, CBE
Revd Nic Stuchfield
Patricia Wardell
Jason Windsor
Stephen Wolfe
Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Rachel Earle
Head: Christopher Townsend, BA
Chief Financial Officer: Jonathan Atkins, FCA, ICAEW
Senior Deputy Head: George Masters, BA
Deputy Head (Academic): Lorne Stefanini, MA
Director of Safeguarding (DSL): Nicola O’Brien
Director of Global Education: Robin Hancock, MA, EdD
Prep School Head: Miranda Norris, BEd, ILMP, MEd
*Head of Department
Art:
*E A M Jackson, BA
A V Warner, BA
Business:
*A T Mohindru, LLB
E Grant, BSc
J K Peddy, BA
Classics:
*E M McLaren, MA (Head of Roberts Society)
E J Clark, BA
A J Quinlan, BA (Head of Andrew Society)
T K Underhill, BA
Computer Science:
*M White, MA
A V Price, MA (Physics)
A A Ross, BSc
J G Wild, BSc
Design and Technology:
*M D Cudjoe, BA
S J Bartlett, Dip, PGCE
D M Maclean, MA
C McFarlane
H K Pheloung, BA
Drama:
*C Bartlett, BA
M C Donaldson, BA (Assistant Head – Academic)
L Macey, BA
L J Mann, BA
Economics:
*R Castle, BSc
F M Barrett, BBS (Assistant Head – Boarding)
M L McIlvenna, BA, MEd
S D Wilson, BA
English and Media:
*A MacMillan, BA, MA
M R Crossley, BA
C A Croxson, BA
D C Evans, MA (Hons)
C M James, BA (Head of Project Qualifications)
A J MacLeod, BA (Head of Girls’ Cricket)
E L Predebon, MA (Director of Teacher Development)
R J Purdy, BA, MEd (PSHE, Assistant Head – Staff & Co-curricular)
Geography:
*A McCaughern, BSc
O G Thomas, BSc
N Thompson, BSc (GRA)
History & Politics:
B R Maude-Barker, MA (*Politics)
R Pathak, BA (*History)
L M Scofield, BA (Director of Professional Guidance)
T Strange, PhD (Academic Enrichment Coordinator)
J C E Strong, PhD, MA
Mathematics:
*M J Campbell, MSc
J W Adams PhD
J C Andrews, MEng
C Donaldson, BSc
J M Finch, BSc
J M Jevons, BA (Timetabler)
A Munns, MA
N Pritchard, BSc
E L Tucker, BA
V L Wilding, BSc
Modern Languages:
*F Sanchez del Rio, Licenciatura (Spanish, Editor of ‘The Felstedian’)
G M Bermejo Gonzalez, BA (Spanish)
K S O Chopping, BA Hons (French)
V Grandi, BA, MA (French)
L H Hardy, BA Hons (German)
N F S O’Brien, MA (Spanish, EAL) (DSL)
A J Pallot, BA (German)
R Perez Cabrera, MA (Spanish) (Round Square Co-ordinator)
K L G Reddey, BA (Spanish & French)
Music:
*W J Warns, MA, DipABRSM, FNCM (Director of Music)
R J Thear, BA (Assistant Director of Music)
S Tan, BA, BMus, MMus (GRA)
Physical Education and Sport:
*C E Rudd, BSc Hons
S Barrett, BSc (Senior HM)
B J Bury, BA
W H Croft, BA (GRA)
G C Ellis, BA (GRA)
J E R Gallian (Director of Cricket)
Z V Griffith
C S Knightley, BA (Director of Sport)
A Le Chevalier, PGCE (Director of Rugby)
R Marriott-Cox (Director of Tennis)
D L C Nelson, BSc
N J Phillips, BA (Head of Boys’ Hockey)
W C S Rogers (Head of Strengthening and Conditioning)
J R Westwood (Director of Hockey)
L Willis, BSc, MS (Director of Girls’ Sport & Head of Girls’ Hockey)
Project Qualifications:
*C M James, BA
PSHE and RSE:
L M Keable, BA (2 i/c)
L Macey, BA
R J Purdy, BA, MEd (Assistant Head – Staff & Co-Curricular)
Psychology:
*V L Smith, BSc, MEd
M Cacace, BA (Head of IB Core)
Science:
*L E Barden, BSc (*Chemistry)
K J Farr, MSc (*Biology)
D T Smith, BSc (*Physics)
L T Barrett, BSc (Chemistry)
J Entwistle, BSc (Biology)
H J Mollison, BSc, MEd
A J A Pask, BSc (Chemistry)
A V Price, MA (Physics) (Business Intelligence Reporting Manager)
A L F Simpson, BSc (Biology, Director of Exams)
R L Williams, BSc (Biology, Assistant Head – Academic)
K L Woodhouse, BSc (Physics, Director of IBDP)
Theology, Ethics and Philosophy:
*J C Turner Jones, BA
L M Keable, BA
S R Lambert, PhD
N J Little, BA (Chaplain, i/c Charities)
G W S Masters, BA (Senior Deputy Head)
L K Stefanini, BSc, MA (Deputy Head – Academic)
Wellbeing Centre:
*J M Miller, PDC, PDD, PGCert, MBACP reg
C J Crol, MBACP (Accred)
R K S Love, BSc, MBACP
K J Newnham, MBACP, reg
Support for Learning:
*J W Hipkin, BA, MEd
S J Beale, BA
C M Dungey, RSciTech
N J Johnson, CDip
E L Masters, MA
K S Pathak, BA
C M Phillips, MCILIP
A L Salmon, BA, MEd (Head of Student Services)
J C Turner Jones, BA
EAL:
*D K Guerrero, BA Middlesex, Dip TEFLA
CCF:
*Heather Mollison (CCF Contingent Commander)
P C McGrath, GCGI
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award & Educational Visits:
*D L Whittock
Library:
*N S Howorth, BA Edge Hill, Dip Lib, MCLIP
Houses and Housemasters/mistresses:
Boys’ Houses:
Deacon’s: Barny Bury
Elwyn’s: Elliott Grant
Gepp’s: Luke McIlvenna
Montgomery’s: Andrew Le Chevalier
Windsor’s: Nick Phillips
Girls’ Houses:
Follyfield: Sonia Wilson
Garnetts: Sarah Barrett
Manor: Carolyn Phillips
Stocks’s: Loren Willis
Thorne: Connie Donaldson
Director of Marketing: Mr Jack Dougherty
Head of Admissions: Miss Gemma Kilby
School Chaplain: Reverend Nigel Little
Medical Officer: Mrs Sally Staines