Age range. 7–13.
Number of boys. 82 (21 full boarders, 23 part boarders, 38 day).
Fees per term (2024-2025). £9,850 (Boarding), £7,325 (Day), £11,900 (Overseas boarders). No compulsory extras. Scholarship offered at the Headmaster’s discretion.
Location. Originally a Coaching Inn on the old London to Portsmouth Road, Woodcote enjoys a beautiful, rural setting in 30 acres of grounds. The school is easily accessible from London and runs 2 daily bus services from SW & W London, 25 miles from Fulham via the M3 (Junction 3), 25 minutes from Heathrow and 40 minutes from Gatwick.
Pastoral care. Woodcote House has been owned and run by the Paterson family for over 90 years. With a settled and committed staff, many of whom live on site with their own families, Woodcote provides an exceptionally caring and supportive environment for both Boarders and Day Boys. Our unique, graduated approach to boarding has helped solve the modern boarding conundrum faced by parents torn between Full and Weekly options. A strong emphasis is placed on manners, consideration and respect for others. The school has its own Chapel in the woods and parents are welcome to Saturday services, as well as to school matches on Wednesdays and Saturdays (after which legendary Match Teas are served), so there is plenty of opportunity to see their boys and talk to staff and fellow parents.
Academic. There are two forms in each year group, with an average of 10 boys in each class, enabling the staff to offer all boys an enormous degree of individual attention. With SEN and EFL teaching also available, academic standards are high and the school is proud of its 100% Common Entrance and excellent Scholarship record. Woodcote boys go on to a wide variety of independent senior schools and the Headmaster takes particular care in assisting parents to choose the right school for their son.
Music and Drama. 80% of boys learn at least one musical instrument, and the young and innovative Director of Music has ensured that it is considered ‘cool’ to be in the excellent choir. There is an orchestra and a jazz band and the school holds regular concerts so that the boys are comfortable with public performance, both individually and as part of a group. The school produces a Junior and a Senior Play each year, in which all boys are involved one way or another.
Sports. Rugby, football, cricket and hockey are coached to a high standard and there are teams at all levels of age and ability, with a high success rate for a small school. Individual sports include tennis (the school has five courts), swimming, athletics, golf, judo, fencing, and rifle-shooting.
Hobbies and free time. With ‘prep’ done at school, there are numerous opportunities for the boys to pursue hobbies after lessons and games. These activities are also available at weekends, along with the traditional activities of ‘hutting’ (camp building in the woods), ‘cooking’ (frying potatoes on camp fires), and overnight camping in the grounds. Boys are encouraged to read and have a quiet time after lunch each day for this, as well as before lights out in the evening.
Ethos. The school motto, ‘Vive ut Discas et Disce ut Vivas’ (Live to Learn and Learn to Live), embodies the school's aim to give all boys a love of learning and to discover and nurture their individual talents in a happy and positive atmosphere.