Private school West Buckland School

West Buckland school facilities website header extended version 30secs

The school was founded in 1858 and covers an area of ​​36 hectares in rural areas in the south-west of England, not far from the Atlantic coast. The school is located in Devon, on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, just a couple of kilometres from the magnificent surf beaches. It takes an hour to Exeter Airport and 1.5 hours to Bristol Airport. London can be reached by train in 2 hours.

The main principle of the school is the disclosure of the potential and abilities of each child, so that all students show a high level of academic knowledge. The vast majority of school graduates go to the best universities in the country. In addition, the school pays great attention to social and cultural life.

About 600 people study at the school.

DIRECTOR (stand 2026)

Philip Stapleton, Education - Bishop Stopford School; Durham University, degree in molecular biology and biochemistry; Cardiff University, MBA, master's degree in education management and a diploma in boarding school management.

FAMOUS SCHOOL GRADUATES

• Brian Aldiss, writer
• Claudia Hackle, opera singer
• Gian Asworth, former director of the London School of Economics
• Ronald Frederick Delderfield, historian, writer
• Jonathan Edwards, athlete, Olympic champion, set a triple jump world record
• Harold Gimblett, athlete (cricket)
• Bertie Hill, athlete (equestrian), Olympic champion
• Harold Hilton, golfer, enrolled in the worldwide Golf Hall of Fame
• Victor Ubogu, rugby player
• Tim Vonnacott, TV presenter
• George Friend, soccer player

KEY FACTORS

• Small class sizes and high academic standards.
• The school is in the top 40 best schools in the UK according to the results of A-level exams.
• Clean air and a large school area provide optimal conditions for the health and well-being of children. Many families move southwest to change their lifestyle.
• Over 50% of graduates go to Russel Group universities (the most prestigious in the UK).

EQUIPMENT

The school's campus has recently been refurbished, with investments of over £ 14 million. The school perfectly combines beautiful traditional buildings with modern buildings. The school has a spacious and comfortable building of the training centre, where the library is also located. There is a dedicated area for senior students, as well as modern classrooms.

The school has a new sports centre, which includes a multifunctional sports hall, physical education classes and a fitness room. In the gym you can play basketball, badminton, netball, tennis, cricket, indoor soccer and other outdoor activities. Sports facilities also include a 25-meter indoor pool, 16 paved tennis courts, squash courts, and indoor and outdoor shooting ranges.

In 2011, an outstanding building of an art school and technological design was built, which offers students perhaps the best equipment for creative classes in the district. The building also has a theatre with 100 seats, where numerous performances and theatrical master classes are held.

PROGRAM

GCSE

A two-year program for obtaining a certificate of general secondary education. Required to study 6 subjects, 4 subjects are studied by choice.
What is the difference between IGCSE and GCSE programmes?

A-level

A two-year university preparatory program. Pupils choose 3 or 4 subjects for in-depth study.
Find out more about A-level program

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP)

The IBCP is a professionally oriented programme that combines an academic approach with professional specialisation. The programme provides a good foundation for further study at university. It focuses on preparing students for their future profession in their chosen speciality.

The programme consists of three elements:

1. Courses from the IB International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP)
Pupils choose any two subjects from the IB list.
2. the CP core - the main disciplines required for the programme: analytical project, foreign language study, personal and professional skills, social activities.
3. Subjects related to the future profession.

BTEC

An alternative to the A-level programme: a pre-university course with maximum emphasis on developing practical skills, applying theoretical knowledge in real life. BTEC qualifications are available in the following areas: digital music creation, applied science, sports.
Find out more about BTEC program

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Accommodation in a residence on the school grounds. Pupils 11-16 years old live in one of two houses, one for boys, the second for girls. High school students are housed in a separate building in single rooms with private facilities. The houses have common rooms for relaxation and communication, a small kitchen and a dedicated area with computers. West Buckland has been honoured at the TES Independent School Awards 2019 for outstanding student housing.

The school understands how important healthy nutrition is for a growing, active young man. The food at school is excellent food. Composed with the help of nutritionists and highly qualified chefs, the menu will satisfy the tastes and requirements of even the most fastidious.

SPORT

Sport has always played an important role in the life of West Buckland, there are many international athletes among the graduates.

The main sports:

for boys: rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis;

for girls: hockey, netball, tennis.

For all major types, a training schedule for school hours is drawn up and competitive matches are held with schools throughout the southwest. Many of the school teams have made significant progress, which brought the school an enviable athletic reputation.

You can also engage in sports such as: football, dancing, athletics, basketball, squash, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, fitness, Thai boxing, gymnastics, running, shooting and saving lives. In many of these sports, students compete with neighbouring schools and perform at the regional level.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Children take part in various extracurricular activities, the choice of which is huge and covers many interests. Chess club, gymnastics, art club, book club, choir and orchestras, dance, writing club, and many others.

On weekends, the school offers a number of activities: traveling to nearby cities, trips to London, surfing, paintball, cooking, bowling. Children take part in daily evening activities: dancing, volleyball, art, singing, movie nights, football, diving and swimming.

The theatre is very popular among students, it can be studied as part of the curriculum or in extracurricular time. A large number of students take individual and group lessons in speech and drama, which prepare them for the LAMDA exams (London Academy of Music and Theatre), as well as for participation in the North Devon Theatre Festival.

During the year, several performances are held with the participation of children, everyone can perform on stage in front of a large auditorium. Every two years, the school puts on a musical in a local theatre, which is created by the talented school actors, singers and musicians. The production invariably receives recognition from critics and viewers.

Music plays a huge role in the life of the West Buckland school. Music is available to everyone: from talented musicians who strive to make music their career, to novice enthusiasts who enjoy singing and playing. Children take part in various school groups and orchestras: jazz groups, several choirs, string orchestra and many others.

Individual music lessons are taught by a team of more than twenty invited teachers, many of whom are professional musicians themselves. Classes are held on all orchestral instruments (including harp), as well as on the piano, organ, percussion and guitar. The school has its own full-scale symphony orchestra, which is led by the director of the music department of the school. The orchestra gives four concerts a year and specializes in the romantic repertoire of the 20th century. The most talented and enthusiastic musicians are accepted into it.

Art classes are important for the development of students. The stunning building of the art school was opened in 2010, and its design was developed by specialists who fully understand the needs of artists in the 21st century. Here, students are engaged in painting, sculpture, printing, ceramics, photography (digital and traditional). The art school is open all day and on weekends.

Creative trips are an important part of the program; students regularly visit local and London galleries. Artistic visits also include visits to Wales and Cornwall, where high school students live and work as artists, creating exciting and dynamic works.

COST, 2026-2027

£17,140 - £18,470 per semester (depending on age).
There are 3 semesters in the school year.

Included in cost

• Teaching
• Accommodation and meals
• Accident insurance
• All study trips

Extra paid

• Registration fee - £100
• Deposit - £4,800
• School uniform
• Flights
• Transfers to / from the airport
• Visa
• Services of the company "Paradise"
• Guardianship (as required by British law)

Our services and fees