What is the largest boarding school in the UK?

Eton College is often cited as the largest boys' boarding school in England by student numbers, with around 1,340 boarders, while Wymondham College is noted as the UK's largest state boarding school, accommodating a significant number of students for its category, though exact figures vary by source and definition. For overall scale, Eton's large, historic campus and extensive boarding houses make it a leading contender, alongside other large independent schools like Millfield and Oundle.

What is the most elite boarding school in the UK?

The top 50 boarding schools in the UK in 2026

• St Paul's School. Location: South West London. ...
• Brighton College. Location: East Sussex. ...
• Westminster School. Location: Central London. ...
• Eton College. Location: Berkshire. ...
• Sevenoaks School. Location: Kent. ...
• Wycombe Abbey. ...
• Queen Ethelburga's College. ...
• Winchester College.

How much does it cost to attend Eton per year?

Eton College's annual fees are set to rise to approximately £63,000 (around $80,000 USD) for the 2024-2025 academic year, up from about £52,749, due to the UK government's removal of VAT exemption for private schools, with costs split across three terms. For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, parents should expect fees to be around £21,099 per term, including VAT, totaling roughly £63,297 annually. 

Can girls go to Eton?

No, girls cannot currently attend Eton College as a full-time student because it remains an all-boys boarding school, though there have been discussions and suggestions from figures like the former Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, for Eton to become co-educational, with some reports indicating the governors are considering it for the future, but it is still boys-only during term time. Girls have historically attended Eton for special short programs and in the 1980s for a term to prepare for university exams, but they don't enroll as regular pupils. 

What is the largest state boarding school in the UK?

Wymondham College, graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, renowned for its exceptional student achievements, is the largest state Boarding school in the UK, with exam results amongst the highest in the country.

Boarding school boys rule Britain, at what cost? | The New Statesman podcast

What is the hardest boarding school to get into in the UK?

Getting into Eton College is often considered one of the toughest challenges for students in the UK. The admissions process is incredibly selective, involving challenging entrance exams, interviews and assessments that look at academic potential and personal qualities. Needless to say, competition is fierce.

What is the most elite boarding school?

The most prestigious boarding schools, particularly in the U.S., are often called the "Big Seven" or similar groups, consistently including Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, The Lawrenceville School, Groton School, Deerfield Academy, St. Paul's School, and Choate Rosemary Hall, known for elite college placements and rigorous academics. Internationally, schools like Institut Le Rosey (Switzerland) and Westminster School (UK) are also highly renowned for exclusivity and top-tier education.
 

What famous kids go to Eton?

Many celebrities, royals, and public figures attended Eton College, including actors like Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Damian Lewis; explorers Bear Grylls; writers like George Orwell and Ian Fleming; and members of the Royal Family like Prince William and Prince Harry, alongside numerous British Prime Ministers like David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
 

What is the #1 top public school?

The #1 top public university depends slightly on the ranking source, but University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) consistently ranks at or near the top, often trading the #1 spot with UCLA, with U.S. News & World Report 2026 naming UC Berkeley #1 and UCLA #2 among public schools. Other top contenders frequently mentioned include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Virginia, and UNC Chapel Hill.
 

What is the most expensive private school in the UK?

What's the most expensive private school in the UK? The title of the most expensive private school in the UK belongs to Brighton College. Full boarding fees for sixth-form students start at £55,470 per year.

How many British prime ministers went to Eton?

Twenty prime ministers were schooled at Eton College, of whom nine were educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, including all three who held office between 1880 and 1902 (Gladstone, Salisbury, Rosebery). Seven were educated at Harrow School and six at Westminster School.

Who owns Eton?

Eton Properties is the real estate brand of the Lucio Tan Group, one of the biggest business conglomerates in the Philippines.

What is the poshest boarding school in the world?

Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland is widely considered the world's most exclusive boarding school due to its extreme cost (around $130,000-$150,000+ annually), prestigious alumni (royalty, celebrities, global leaders), and unique bilingual/bicultural program, making it a top choice for the ultra-wealthy seeking elite global networks and world-class education. Other highly exclusive options include Institut auf dem Rosenberg and Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, also in Switzerland, known for luxury, innovation, and high fees.
 

Are there any notable alumni from Eaton?

Eton, a British boarding school founded in 1440 by Henry VI, includes among its alumni (“Old Etonians”) Prince William, Prince Harry, and 19 prime ministers.

Is Abbey Mount a real school?

The school featured in the film Wild Child in 2008, as the fictional school that the characters attended, called Abbey Mount. On 23 February 2021 it was announced that the school would become part of the Mill Hill School Foundation.

What is the happiest boarding school in the UK?

Repton hailed as the UK's 'Happiest Boarding School' Repton has been crowned the UK's Happiest Boarding School in the 2022 Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards. Muddy Stilettos' Schools Guide is a unique, independent, honest online resource for parents seeking insight into the UK's competitive independent school sector.

What is the hardest private school to get into in the UK?

The hardest UK private schools to get into are consistently named as Eton College, Harrow School, Winchester College, and Westminster School, all known for fiercely competitive entry, requiring high academic achievement via rigorous exams (Common Entrance, scholarship tests) and interviews for limited spots, making preparation often start years in advance for these prestigious institutions. 

Can Muslims go to Eton College?

Though Christianity is not our faith, we are happy to think of our son starting each day in an atmosphere of quiet contemplation in College Chapel. Instruction in the Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh faiths is given during the time of Sunday Chapel by the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Tutors.

Did Eddie Redmayne go to Eton with Prince William?

Redmayne attended Eaton House, followed by Colet Court (now St Paul's Juniors), on a choral scholarship, where he sang with the St Paul's Choir, then on a music scholarship to Eton College, where he was in the same year as Prince William.

Where do billionaire kids go to school?

Billionaires send their children to elite private schools, both day and boarding, like Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and The Lawrenceville School, often referred to as "Ivy League pipelines," as well as prestigious international schools like Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, for strong academics and connections, with some also choosing top public schools for better college admission odds. Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale remain popular choices for higher education.
 

Can anyone go to Le Rosey?

Some candidates, however, may not be admitted to Le Rosey for the following reasons: While teachers, tutors and specialists help students overcome minor or temporary learning differences, Le Rosey is not suited to children with a severe learning disability. Violent, antisocial or racist attitudes.

What is the fanciest boarding school in America?

The 10 Most Expensive Boarding High Schools in the U.S.

• Woodside Priory School (Ranked #1)
• The Athenian School (Ranked #2)
• San Domenico School (Ranked #4)
• The Webb Schools (Ranked #5)
• Cate School (Ranked #6)