Concord College is a highly successful, academic, co-educational international school for day and boarding students aged 13–18, providing GCSE/IGCSE and A level courses. Set in 80 acres of Shropshire parkland, the College combines outstanding facilities with first-rate academic performance. The College is regularly rated in the top 10 schools in the UK. Students are cared for by a dedicated staff in a safe and beautiful environment. Concord is an international community dedicated to rigour, kindness and creativity, and provides a vibrant and friendly environment in which students can flourish and fulfil their potential. Students are expected to display mutual respect and to promote harmony, decency and trust. The result is a happy and kind community in which students are polite, articulate and conscientious without ever losing their sense of fun.
Number of students. 550 (approximately, around equal numbers of boys and girls) of whom the great majority are boarders.
Facilities. The campus is centred around an historic hall which, with other college buildings, is set in beautifully maintained grounds. There has been considerable investment in high-quality modern facilities. Lessons are taught in well-equipped classrooms with excellent IT provision. The state-of-the-art Science block comprises 22 laboratories including a special projects lab. The academic departments are well supported by a modern library complex in the Jubilee Building which students can access for their studies and reading for pleasure. There is a well-resourced theatre and music school, an excellent sports centre and indoor swimming pool, as well as extensive grounds including sports pitches, tennis courts and a high ropes course. All students have individual study-bedrooms, many with en-suite bathrooms. Meals are eaten in the College Dining Room where students can select from a variety of international cuisine. The wide range of facilities also includes common rooms and a student kitchen.
Wellbeing. All students have Tutors who have oversight of their pastoral wellbeing (as well as monitoring their academic progress). Boarding students also have boarding parents who focus on providing boarders with the emotional and practical support they need when they are away from home. Concord also offers support to students via Heads of Year in the Lower School and via our House system in the Upper School. Medical provision is available 24 hours a day; there is a modern and well-equipped medical centre and a dedicated nursing team. Mental health is taken very seriously, and support and counselling are available. The campus is secure and security staff are on duty at all times.
Education. Teaching groups average 16 students at GCSE and 14 students at A level. Teachers are experts in their subjects.
At GCSE, English, Mathematics and Sciences are compulsory. Optional subjects include Art, Astronomy, Computer Science, Economics, French, German, Geography, History, Music, Statistics, Religious Studies and Spanish. For GCSE sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught as separate subjects and emphasis is placed upon laboratory experience.
Sixth Form students normally study at least three A levels. There is also an opportunity to study for a further AS level or an EPQ which is an independent research project. Subjects include Art, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Language and Literature, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Physics and Spanish. All students who do not have a GCSE in English are expected to study English. There is a comprehensive careers programme to support all students with their university applications in the UK or overseas.
Reports to parents are sent at half term in the first term and subsequently at the end of each term. Parents also receive the results of weekly Saturday Tests.
Examination results and university entry. The College’s students achieve excellent examination results; In 2024, 90% of GCSE/IGCSE results were 7/8/9 and 56% were grade 9. Almost two thirds of our A level students achieved AAA or better in their exams and 44 achieved A*A*A* or more. This year, students went on to study at top-flight UK universities including 10 students to Oxford and Cambridge. Others went to Imperial College London, UCL and LSE. Internationally, students went to John's Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Berkely, UCLA and USC among other US universities and HKU and HKUST among other leading world universities.
Clubs, sports and extracurricular activities. Students at Concord can choose from a multitude of activities. Many clubs and societies have an academic focus and are part of Concord’s well-developed super-curriculum, for example, the Medics Society, the Philosophy Club and numerous academic discussion groups.
Sports, music, dance and drama are also all available in our own facilities. There is a sports hall, squash courts and gymnasium as well as outdoor facilities including for football, athletics and tennis. A wealth of sporting activities are on offer ranging from archery to fencing and badminton to volleyball. There is a purpose-built dance studio and a range of gym equipment available for students to use after lessons and in the evenings.
Musicians can have individual instrumental tuition and join one of the chamber groups. Choir and singing lessons can develop all levels of vocal talent. Many other activities are also offered ranging from public speaking and chess to horse riding and charity fundraising. Students take part in Concord’s outdoor education programme and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is also available. Whatever their talents, students are able develop them at Concord.
The School week. Lessons run from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday, with Wednesday afternoon allocated to sport and an optional trip to Shrewsbury for senior students. There is compulsory supervised study (prep) each evening Monday to Friday.
Saturday mornings are used for subject testing. Subjects are tested in rotation allowing teachers and students alike to monitor academic progress. These tests are taken under examination conditions to help students to prepare for their GCSEs and AS and A levels.
Selection for entry. Applicants are selected on the basis of school reports, academic achievement, entry tests and interviews. Applicants are required to sit Concord’s entry tests to assess their potential for future study. Entry normally takes place into Year 9 (Form 3), Year 10 (Form 4) or Year 12 (Sixth Form).
Fees per annum (2024-2025). Full boarding fees are £53,400 per annum. Boarding fees are due for payment on a half yearly basis and invoices are issued accordingly. Day student fees are £18,300 per annum (£6,100 per term).
Scholarships and bursaries. A number of scholarships exist for the most able students and means-tested bursaries are available separately for those who require financial assistance with fees. In all cases the candidate must complete the Application Process first before applying for a scholarship.
Charitable status. Concord College is a Registered Charity, number 326279. It exists to provide high quality education for secondary age students.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of the Governors: Dr Colin Stanford
Clerk to the Governors and Bursar: Matthew Hodge
Principal: Michael R Truss, PhD, MPhys Oxon
Vice-Principal (Academic): Robert Pugh, PhD, BA
Vice-Principal (Pastoral): Jeremy Kerslake, MA
Head of Lower School: Sue Correll, BA, MA
Assistant Principal: Orlagh Hotchkiss, BA, PGCE, MTL
Assistant Principal: Daniel Wilson, MA
Assistant Principal: Diane van Dongen, BSc, PGCE
Principal’s Personal Assistant & Admissions Registrar: Mrs Wendy Hartshorne