When John Wesley established this school in 1748, he set in motion something extraordinary. More than 270 years later, perched on 120 acres of Lansdown overlooking Bath, Kingswood remains the world's oldest Methodist educational institution. Kingswood School, Bath in Lansdown, Bath pairs strong results with a broader experience beyond examinations. Instead, you find a modern, forward-thinking independent day and boarding school where academic ambition coexists easily with exceptional extracurricular depth. The school ranks in the top 6% of schools in England for GCSE performance and the top 8% for A-levels (FindMySchool rankings), with over 80% of leavers securing Russell Group university places. Behind those statistics lies a place where individual talents are genuinely known and nurtured, where approximately one third of the 890 pupils board and the remaining two-thirds integrate seamlessly into the community. The ISI inspection in 2022 rated the school excellent across every category, praise particularly emphasising the strength of teaching, pastoral care, and the remarkable breadth of co-curricular provision.
Kingswood occupies a position almost impossible to replicate. The 120-acre Lansdown estate, once owned by the nineteenth-century millionaire William Thomas Beckford, creates a countryside sanctuary with dramatic views over Bath itself. Boys and girls walk between lessons through parkland scattered with mature trees; boarders have access to facilities most state schools could only dream of. Yet the school consciously resists any sense of isolation. Bath's city centre sits a short walk away, and London is just 90 minutes by train. International students from over 15 countries are welcomed and integrated rather than marginalised.
Andrew Gordon-Brown, who arrived as Headmaster in 2020 from a London day school headship, has continued this balance between tradition and progress. His leadership emphasises that Wesley's foundational principle, that each person has talents waiting to be discovered, remains the driving philosophy. The school explicitly positions itself as free from pretension. Parents and inspectors alike note the absence of the stuffiness sometimes associated with boarding schools. Instead, the atmosphere feels genuinely warm and inclusive, where pupils are quietly confident rather than arrogant. Discipline exists, but it is grounded in respect rather than fear. Chapel remains important, morning services are regular, yet the school welcomes children of all faiths and none, a pragmatic Methodist heritage at work.
The pastoral structure combines the best of both worlds. Boarding houses operate as genuine homes, each run by a resident housemaster or mistress with their family living on site. Day pupils are fully integrated into these houses, avoiding the class divisions that sometimes emerge in day-and-boarding schools. Each pupil has a tutor who oversees both academic progress and pastoral welfare, meeting with students individually and in groups weekly. This continuity matters. Teachers know their charges across multiple years; relationships are not transactional but genuinely invested.
At GCSE, the school's results place it firmly in the top tier. In 2024, 63% of entries achieved grades 9-7 (the highest grades), compared to the England average of 54%. This sits well above the national benchmark. The school ranks 259th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6%. Locally, it ranks 3rd among Bath schools, a position it has maintained consistently. These figures reflect rigorous teaching but not an exam-factory environment. The school emphasises breadth, pupils study sciences separately, not as combined science; languages are offered to all; Latin and Mandarin are available alongside French, German and Spanish. Design Technology and Computer Science are well-resourced and well-taught. The English Baccalaureate is offered and pursued by many, though the school does not mandate it.
The sixth form picture is equally strong. In 2024, 80% of A-level grades were A*-B, with 20% achieving A*. This places Kingswood 194th for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), again in the top 8% in England. The school offers 26 A-level subjects, providing genuine breadth. Students are not pushed into narrow specialism but instead encouraged to combine subjects creatively: scientists study philosophy; historians take economics; artists pursue modern languages. The results across this range are consistently excellent, suggesting the school has solved the difficult balance between specialisation and flexibility. Progress 8 and value-added metrics indicate pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, positioning the school in the top 5% in England for added value.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
80.83%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
63.1%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
In 2024, 48% of leavers progressed to university, with the majority securing places at Russell Group institutions. Beyond Oxbridge, students regularly secure places at Imperial College, UCL, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick. Medical school remains competitive; approximately 18 pupils per year secure medical places in recent cohorts. Law, engineering, sciences, and humanities are all well-represented.
The gap between 48% to university and other categories reflects the school's genuine commitment to non-university pathways. Of leavers, 25% entered employment directly, 1% started apprenticeships. This diversity suggests the school genuinely supports individual choices rather than pressuring all pupils toward the university route.
Kingswood approaches the curriculum with confidence. Classes in lower school (Years 7-8) average around 20 pupils; these reduce to smaller sets at GCSE and A-level, particularly in mathematics and sciences. Teaching is notably well-informed and demanding without being joyless. Inspectors praised the ambitious curriculum and the expertise of subject specialists. Subject staff are encouraged to take research interests seriously; several have published peer-reviewed papers alongside their teaching. The library is well-stocked and well-used; academic enrichment is built into the school day, not treated as something for the gifted and talented alone. It is ordinary for pupils to attend lunchtime lectures or departmental talks by visiting scholars and professionals.
The school employs a tutor system that genuinely works. Because tutors follow their pupils from Year 7 through to Year 13, they accumulate deep knowledge of strengths, challenges, and personality. This continuity is particularly valuable for those struggling academically or emotionally. The school's commitment to learning support is substantive. One-to-one tuition for specific needs is available (charged at £35.45 per lesson), and staff understand that intelligence is not fixed, pupils who arrive uncertain sometimes blossom by Upper Sixth.
The inspection report highlighted pastoral care as a particular strength, and this is visible on any school visit. Pupils describe feeling known and valued as individuals. Staff are accessible and take concerns seriously. The boarding structure, while demanding, does not feel punitive. Weekends offer a balance of structured activities and genuine leisure time. Recent boarder activities have ranged from cinema trips and shopping excursions to Thorpe Park visits and beach clean-ups. This is not holiday camp, but it is emphatically not austere either.
Mental health support is actively promoted. The school runs mindfulness sessions, offers one-to-one counselling, and trains staff in recognising and responding to struggles. Parents report that communication is open and proactive, the school alerts families to concerns early rather than waiting for situations to deteriorate. For international students, pastoral care includes practical support for visas, communication with families across time zones, and integration into the community.
The school takes safeguarding seriously. All staff receive mandatory training; the safeguarding team is well-trained and responsive. The ISI noted compliance with all statutory regulations and excellence across safeguarding categories.
Over 100 co-curricular activities run each term. This is not a marketing exaggeration; the breadth and depth are genuinely exceptional. What distinguishes Kingswood is not the mere existence of many clubs but their quality and how thoroughly they are woven into school life.
Almost 200 pupils learn an instrument at Kingswood. The Music School, housed in dedicated facilities, provides a suite of teaching rooms, practice spaces, and a recording studio equipped with professional-grade equipment (Logic Pro X, Sibelius, Focusrite audio interfaces). The school employs excellent peripatetic teachers and hosts ABRSM examinations on-site each term. Instruments tutored include piano, harp, guitar, strings, woodwinds, and percussion, approximately 300 individual lessons occur each week.
Named ensembles are numerous and specific: the Kingswood Choir and Westwood Voices (vocal groups), the Senior Orchestra and Westwood Orchestra, the Kingswood Jazz Orchestra (KJO), Brass Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and Kingswood Strings. Music scholars, 15 to 20 pupils, receive additional opportunities and perform in a dedicated annual concert each January. Smaller groups form regularly: barbershop quartets, A cappella groups, string quartets, and pupil-run rock bands utilise the recording studio. The music culture is inclusive; while the school includes highly talented pupils who go on to music conservatoires, participation extends far beyond the elite. Most pupils sing in assemblies and services; Year 7 and 8 pupils are encouraged to try instruments; the philosophy is that music-making is for everyone.
Performance opportunities abound. The Kingswood Jazz Orchestra opens the Bath Festival's "Party in the City" event at the Assembly Rooms each year. The Christmas and Spring Concerts are termly highlights, drawing parents and the wider community. The Kingswood Choir sings at prestigious venues including Bath Abbey (for the annual Carol and Commemoration Services) and elsewhere in the local community. Recent highlights include recording a Christmas album at Holy Trinity Church in Bradford-on-Avon in aid of charity, performing at the Concert for the People of Bath, and a concert tour of the Netherlands (which included performances in Amsterdam, Noordwijk, and Utrecht). Sixth Form pupils visit the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Opera House, and London's West End theatres as part of the department's programme.
The 366-seat Kingswood Theatre, officially opened in 1994 and refurbished in 2024, serves as the hub for dramatic activity. A full-time Theatre Manager oversees technical operations. Weekly drama clubs in Years 7-9 build foundational acting skills; Technical Theatre clubs offer older pupils the chance to develop expertise in sound, lighting, and stage management. An improvisation comedy club runs sporadically, and audition preparation is always available.
The drama department produces multiple productions annually, typically including a senior production, a Year 10 production, and a junior production. Past productions span ambitious classics and contemporary work: Antigone, A Christmas Carol, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Blood Brothers, Bugsy Malone, Rats Tales, Jason and the Argonauts, Our Country's Good, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Blind (a retelling of the Oedipus trilogy). Recent productions have included DNA and Grimm Tales adapted by Carol Ann Duffy. Drama Scholars devise showcases throughout the year; these are often lunchtime performances in the drama studio to invited audiences. Departmental trips to London theatres (the National, the Globe, West End venues) run annually; sixth formers undertake an autumn trip, and Years 11-13 travel to New York in alternate years.
The school's STEM provision extends well beyond classroom science and mathematics. F1 for Schools engages pupils in designing and building miniature racing cars; the club involves coding, engineering, and competitive spirit. Python Programming attracts those interested in computer science fundamentals. A Robotics club (the exact name varies, but the activity is well-established) allows hands-on engineering. The Design and Technology facilities include specialist areas for sculpture, photography, 3D CAD design, and furniture design. Pupils work with computer-aided design (CAD) software and learn both traditional craft and modern manufacturing techniques.
Games are compulsory for all pupils from Year 7 through Year 10, and optional thereafter. The main games, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, netball, and cross-country, are played at competitive standard. The school fields approximately 30 teams on any given weekend, a remarkable number indicating genuine commitment to participation at all levels. Three teams in most sports ensure that players of varying abilities can represent the school. The emphasis is on development and enjoyment, not selection for elite few.
Beyond main games, the activity programme includes basketball, badminton, football, table tennis, golf, equestrian activities, climbing, kayaking, dance, and swimming. Facilities include two floodlit astroturfs (all-weather pitches), a climbing wall, an indoor heated swimming pool (25 metres), two squash courts, a fully equipped fitness studio, a 400-metre athletics track, and multiple cricket fields and tennis courts. The Upper Playing Fields, comprising 57 acres to the north of the senior school, include the athletics track and outdoor courts.
Sports touring is extensive. Over the past 12 years, Kingswood has organised tours to North America, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Australia, Fiji, South America, Italy, and South Africa. The aim is to give pupils the opportunity to tour at least once during their school careers. Sixth form rowing teams train on the River Avon near Bath; a ski trip to France runs annually. Rugby and hockey fixtures are played against leading schools in England.
The Activity Programme includes far more than the pillars above. Jewellery Club allows creative metalwork. Orienteering teaches navigation and outdoor skills. The Debating Society meets weekly and competes in national competitions including the Churchill Public Speaking Competition and MACE (debating). The Kingswood Podcast gives pupils a platform for audio journalism. Sketchbook Club develops drawing skills. Chess and Board Games clubs serve strategic thinkers. Aikido and Mindfulness offer different approaches to physical and mental wellbeing. The Backstage Club involves those interested in theatre production. Gardening connects pupils to outdoor spaces and growing food.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is taken seriously. Around 90 pupils attempt Bronze each year, with many continuing to Silver and Gold. Gold expeditions, which involve five-day residential projects, range from yacht skipper qualifications to running children's camps and the National Citizen Service programme. Expeditions take place in Snowdonia, Exmoor, the Mendips, the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains, and the Lake District.
Bath International Schools Model United Nations (BISMUN) is perhaps the most visibly ambitious co-curricular initiative. Kingswood hosts this annual conference, which attracts approximately 600 pupils from schools across the UK and beyond. Around 100 Kingswood pupils participate, from Year 7 and 8 runners to sixth formers chairing committees and organising the entire event. Pupils represent UN member states, research policy positions, debate resolutions, and respond to emergency scenarios according to official UN procedures. The K-MUN training programme prepares pupils for external MUN conferences nationwide.
As an independent school, Kingswood charges tuition fees. For families, it is essential to understand the full financial picture:
£7,754 per term or £23,262 per year, plus £385 per term for lunch and tea.
£12,247 (Years 7-8) or £15,171 (Years 9-13) per term; £36,741-£45,513 annually.
£14,019 (Years 7-8) or £16,792 (Years 9-13) per term; £42,057-£50,376 annually.
Higher fees (£12,532-£17,182 per term depending on year and boarding type).
These figures are substantial. However, the school seeks to minimise annual fee increases and explicitly states that the governors and leadership are committed to keeping fee rises to a minimum, particularly following the imposition of VAT in January 2025. The school offers a monthly payment plan via a third party (School Fee Plan) for families who prefer to spread costs. Credit is subject to status; terms and conditions apply.
Additional charges include registration fees (£150, or £142.50 from January 2025 for Prep), chapel fund (£5.80 per term), House funds (£15.20 for boarders, £8.20 for day pupils per term), and potential charges for external examination fees (GCSE, A-level, BTEC) and educational trips. One-on-one tuition for special educational needs costs approximately £35.45 for a 40-minute lesson. Music lessons are arranged separately with peripatetic teachers; costs vary by instrument and teacher.
Sibling discounts are available for boarding pupils only (10% for second and subsequent children). HM Forces families receiving CEA receive appropriate fee reductions.
Fees data coming soon.
The school has three main entry points: Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12. Each requires registration approximately one year in advance. The application process includes entrance examinations (typically held in November for Year 7 and 12, February for Year 9) and, for some candidates, interviews. Entry at Year 9 allows families joining partway through secondary education; this is common among boarding families and international applicants.
The school accommodates both day and boarding pupils from Year 7 onwards. Day pupils pay £7,754 per term (2025/26) plus lunch and tea charges of £385 per term. Weekly boarding (Monday to Friday) costs £12,247 (Years 7-8) or £15,171 (Years 9-13) per term for UK/EU citizens. Full boarding (seven nights) costs £14,019 (Years 7-8) or £16,792 (Years 9-13) per term. These are all-inclusive termly fees; annual figures are three times the termly amount. International students pay slightly higher fees to cover additional English language support and administrative costs.
In keeping with Kingswood's Methodist heritage and commitment to access, the school offers both scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships recognise excellence and offer 10-25% fee reduction for academic, music, sport, art, drama, design and technology, or all-round contribution. A John Wesley Scholarship specifically recognises potential for all-round contribution to school life for boarding students. Assessments typically occur in November (Year 7 and 12) or February (Year 9) in the year preceding entry.
Bursaries are means-tested financial aid for families with demonstrated genuine need. Applications are confidential and assessed by the Director of Admissions, Director of Finance, and Headmaster. Bursaries are not available for Prep School entry except in exceptional circumstances, and are specifically for Senior School (Years 7-13). Families in receipt of the Armed Forces Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) receive discounts, as do military families.
A non-returnable registration fee of £150 is payable on application. An acceptance deposit of £500 (UK pupils) or £2,500 (overseas pupils) is then required. These deposits are held against final invoices and repaid when the pupil leaves, provided fees are settled in full.
Lessons typically run from 8:50am to 3:20pm for day pupils, with boarding pupils attending the same school day. Breakfast and supper are available to boarders at modest extra cost. Wraparound care and morning care are included in boarding fees.
Bath is well-served by public transport. The school offers coach services from surrounding areas; details of bus routes are available on the school website. Walking and cycling are viable for local families. Parking is available for parental visits. The nearest railway station (Bath Spa) is approximately 15 minutes' walk away; London Paddington is 90 minutes by train.
The school operates standard UK holiday dates (half-terms, Christmas, Easter, and summer holiday). Boarders have arranged travel home at these points; the school supports families in coordinating travel.
All meals are provided on-site. The school sources from local suppliers where possible and caters for dietary requirements, allergies, and cultural or religious preferences.
Significant Financial Commitment: Fees are substantial, particularly for full boarding. While bursaries are available, families should satisfy themselves that the financial commitment is manageable. The school offers payment plans, but this does not reduce the underlying cost.
Boarding Culture: Approximately one-third of pupils board. This creates a boarding-centred culture at the school, which suits many but not all families. Day pupils are integrated, but boarding is genuinely important to the school's identity. Families choosing day places should visit and speak with other day pupil families to ensure the environment feels right.
Remote Location (Relative to Some): While Bath is accessible and beautiful, the school is not in the heart of the city. Boarders have limited spontaneous access to urban amenities. Weekends offer structured outings; these are well-organised but differ from the freedom of an urban day school.
Entrance Competition: While the school is not academically selective in the manner of grammar schools or leading independent London preps, places are competitive. Academic ability, potential in music or sports, and demonstrated commitment matter. Families should not assume entry is automatic.
Methodist Ethos (Not Denomvationally Coercive): The school's Methodist heritage is visible in chapel services and values language. While families of all faiths are welcomed and the school is not proselytising, the religious context is genuine. Families uncomfortable with this should be aware before applying.
Kingswood occupies a rare position among British independent schools. It combines academic rigour and notable results with genuinely broad pastoral care and co-curricular provision that extends well beyond the stereotypical boarding school. The 120-acre setting is beautiful without being isolating. The ISI inspection rating of excellent across all categories is well-deserved. Academic results place the school comfortably in the top tier in England. The breadth of opportunity, whether in music, drama, outdoor pursuits, sport, or academic enrichment, is remarkable.
The school is best suited to families who value both academic strength and the development of the whole child; who appreciate the discipline and community of boarding (if choosing that route); and who are genuinely comfortable with the substantial fees involved. It is an excellent choice for pupils with a passion for sport, music, or drama who want that passion supported within an academically rigorous environment. It is equally excellent for those seeking a strong all-rounder education with genuine pastoral depth.
The main limitation is financial. Kingswood is not accessible to most families without considerable means or substantial bursarial support. The competition for bursaries is real. Families should investigate this thoroughly and engage with the school's admissions team early about realistic prospects.
For families for whom fees are manageable and the school's ethos resonates, Kingswood delivers on its promise: a place where individual talents are known and nurtured, where academic excellence coexists with genuine joy in learning, and where pupils leave ready to lead meaningful lives.
Yes. Kingswood was rated Excellent across all categories by the ISI in 2022 and achieved Excellent in further inspections in 2024 and 2025. GCSE results place the school in the top 6% ; A-level results place it in the top 8% in England (FindMySchool rankings). Over 80% of leavers progress to Russell Group universities. The school has maintained academic excellence while developing a culture of genuine pastoral care and exceptional breadth of co-curricular opportunity. It is consistently regarded as one of the leading independent boarding schools in the Southwest.
For day pupils, fees are £7,754 per term (£23,262 per year) plus lunch charges of £385 per term (2025/26 rates, inclusive of VAT). Weekly boarding costs £12,247-£15,171 per term depending on year group; full boarding costs £14,019-£16,792 per term. Annual figures are three times these amounts. International students pay slightly higher fees. The school also offers monthly payment plans and has committed to minimising annual fee increases.
Yes. The school offers means-tested bursaries for families with demonstrated genuine need. All bursary applications are assessed confidentially by the Director of Admissions, Director of Finance, and Headmaster. Bursaries are available for Senior School entry (Years 7-13) but not for Prep School except in exceptional circumstances. The school also offers scholarships (merit-based awards) for academic, music, sport, art, and drama achievement.
Kingswood ranks 194th for A-level performance (top 8% in England) and 259th for GCSE performance (top 6% ) according to FindMySchool rankings. Its combined A-level and GCSE rank places it 183rd in England. Results compare very favourably with other independent boarding schools in the Southwest. The school distinguishes itself through the breadth of its co-curricular provision (over 100 activities per term) and the genuine integration of day and boarding pupils. The ISI rating of Excellent across all categories matches the highest standards in UK independent education.
Approximately 200 pupils learn an instrument at Kingswood. The school employs peripatetic teachers and hosts ABRSM examinations each term. Named ensembles include the Kingswood Choir, Westwood Voices, Senior Orchestra, Westwood Orchestra, Kingswood Jazz Orchestra (which performs at the Bath Festival), Brass Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and Kingswood Strings. Smaller ensembles (rock bands, barbershop, A cappella groups, string quartets) form regularly. Music scholars receive additional opportunities. Performance venues include the 366-seat Kingswood Theatre, Bath Abbey, and external venues including the Bath Festival. The department tours internationally on a biennial basis.
Games are compulsory Years 7-10 and optional thereafter. Main sports are rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, netball, and cross-country. The school also offers basketball, badminton, football, golf, equestrian activities, climbing, kayaking, and swimming. The school fields approximately 30 teams on weekends and runs three teams in most sports to ensure participation at all levels. Facilities include two floodlit astroturfs, a climbing wall, an indoor heated swimming pool, a 400-metre athletics track, and tennis courts. Sports touring to major international destinations occurs regularly.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
