Longridge Towers School Review 2026: The Border's Independent Choice

Longridge Towers operates a broad admissions policy, welcoming pupils with a wide range of academic starting points. Consequently, results should be viewed in the context of value-added progress rather than raw selectivity.

In the secondary phase, the 2024 GCSE results reflect a solid performance. The school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 45.2, which aligns closely with the England average of 45.9. This places the school in the 2601st position nationally (FindMySchool ranking). While this ranking sits in the national typical band (middle 35% of schools in England), it represents significant achievement for many individuals who may have joined with lower prior attainment.

At A-level, the picture is one of steady support. In 2024, 41% of grades were awarded at A*-B. This performance places the school in the national lower band for raw attainment (ranked 1667th in England). However, this statistic masks the individual triumphs of students who secure their first-choice university places despite not being natural academics. The school focuses heavily on ensuring students are on the right courses, rather than pushing them into subjects solely to inflate statistics.

The Junior Department focuses on building the foundations for these later years. Without statutory SATs pressures, the curriculum balances core literacy and numeracy with a breadth of inquiry-based learning.

The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum but enjoys the independence to deviate where it benefits the pupils. In the Junior Department, class teachers deliver most subjects, but specialist teaching is introduced early for music, French, and sport. This ensures that by the time children reach Year 7, they are accustomed to moving between departments and engaging with subject experts.

In the Senior School, class sizes are deliberately kept small. It is rare to find more than 18 in a GCSE set, and A-level groups often number in single figures. This allows for a seminar-style approach to learning in the Sixth Form, where discussion and debate replace didactic instruction. Teachers know their pupils' specific learning profiles intimately. If a student struggles with a concept in physics, it is noticed immediately, not after the next exam cycle.

Support for learning is a key pillar. The Learning Development Department works closely with pupils who have dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties. The approach is inclusive; support lessons are integrated into the timetable rather than treating these pupils as separate from the main cohort. This normalises the idea that everyone learns differently.

Boarding at Longridge is flexible and homely, catering to approximately 60 pupils. Options range from full boarding to weekly and flexi-boarding, the latter being particularly popular with families who have long commutes or busy periods at work. The boarding community is a mix of UK-based students and a small contingent of international pupils, adding a cosmopolitan flavour to the rural Northumberland setting.

The boarding accommodation is located within the main building, enhancing the "living in a mansion" experience. Boys and girls are housed in separate wings with comfortable common rooms. Evenings and weekends are structured but relaxed. Prep (homework) is supervised, ensuring academic work is completed before social time begins.

Weekends for full boarders involve a programme of trips to Newcastle, Edinburgh, or the local coastline. The school takes full advantage of its location. Surfing at Coldingham Bay, walking in the Cheviots, or cultural trips to the cinema and theatre ensure that boarders are not isolated. The atmosphere is described by parents as a "home from home," with house parents playing a central role in the emotional wellbeing of the boarders.

The majority of Year 13 leavers proceed to university. In 2024, 61% of the cohort moved on to higher education. The list of destinations is diverse, reflecting the varied interests of the student body. While Russell Group universities such as Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Durham are common choices, students also pursue vocational degrees and creative arts courses at specialist institutions.

In 2024, one student successfully secured a place at Cambridge, demonstrating that the pathway to elite institutions remains open for the most academic students. The school provides dedicated support for UCAS applications, with personal tutors guiding students through the process of personal statements and interviews.

A notable proportion of leavers (33% in 2024) enter employment or apprenticeships directly. This reflects the school's pragmatic approach to careers, recognising that university is not the only route to success. The careers department maintains strong links with local businesses and alumni, helping to facilitate these pathways.

Entry to Longridge Towers is non-selective in the traditional sense. The school looks for potential and the ability to access the curriculum rather than just high raw scores.

For the Junior Department and Year 7 entry, prospective pupils spend a taster day at the school. This allows staff to observe them in the classroom and socially. There are assessment papers in English and Mathematics, but these are primarily diagnostic, used to set baselines and identify any support needs.

Entry into the Sixth Form is dependent on GCSE performance. While the school is flexible, they typically expect a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, with grade 6 recommended in the subjects chosen for A-level study.

Scholarships are available for entry into Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12. These are awarded for academic excellence, as well as talent in sport, music, and art. Means-tested bursaries are also available, ensuring that a Longridge education is accessible to families who might not otherwise be able to afford the full fees.

Pastoral care is structured around the form tutor system. The tutor is the first point of contact for parents and the daily anchor for pupils. Tutors see their tutees twice a day, allowing them to pick up on minor anxieties before they escalate into significant issues.

The house system provides a layer of competition and camaraderie outside the academic sphere. House points are awarded for everything from good work to acts of kindness, feeding into inter-house competitions in sport, debating, and music. This encourages a sense of belonging and healthy rivalry.

Wellbeing is proactively managed. The Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme covers topics from mental health to online safety. The school counsellor is available for pupils who need confidential support, and the medical centre is staffed by qualified nurses during the school day.

The extracurricular life at Longridge is vibrant, leveraging the extensive grounds. Sport is a major pillar. Rugby, hockey, and cricket are the core team sports, with fixtures played against independent and state schools in both England and Scotland. The cross-country course, winding through the parkland, is both beautiful and gruelling.

Beyond the traditional, the school includes activities. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a thriving unit, offering leadership training and outdoor adventure. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is popular, with high uptake at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. The nearby coastline and hills provide the perfect terrain for the expedition sections.

The arts are well represented. The Performing Arts Centre hosts regular drama productions, ranging from Shakespeare to modern musicals. Music permeates school life, with choirs, orchestras, and jazz bands performing at school events and in the local community. Individual tuition is available for a wide array of instruments.

Clubs run during lunchtimes and after school. From the debating society to the science club, there are opportunities for pupils to pursue their passions. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities are particularly strong, often involving competitions and projects that extend learning beyond the syllabus.

Longridge Towers is an independent school, and fees apply. For the 2025/2026 academic year, Senior School day fees are £6,558 per term. Junior Department fees range from £4,566 to £5,820 per term depending on the year group.

Boarding fees are additional. Full boarding in the Senior School is £12,498 per term (inclusive of tuition) for UK students. Weekly and flexi-boarding options are available, offering flexibility for families.

The school offers means-tested bursaries to widen access. These are distinct from scholarships and are based on a financial assessment of the family's income and assets. Scholarships, which carry a smaller financial remission but significant prestige, are awarded based on merit.

The school day begins at 8:40am and finishes at 3:45pm for the Junior Department and 4:00pm for the Senior School. An extensive transport network of school buses covers routes from Alnwick, Kelso, Duns, and Dunbar, making the school accessible to day pupils from a wide radius.

Wraparound care is available. Breakfast club runs from 8:00am, and after-school supervision is available until 5:30pm (6:00pm for seniors), supporting working parents.

Broad Ability Intake. The school is not an academic hothouse. Families seeking a highly selective, high-pressure environment with top-tier league table rankings may find the pace here too gentle. The focus is on individual progress.

Remote Location. While beautiful, the location is rural. For families used to urban convenience, the reliance on school transport or long car journeys is a factor. Conversely, the isolation contributes to the safe, bubble-like atmosphere.

English Curriculum in a Scottish Context. For families in the Scottish Borders, choosing Longridge means opting out of the Scottish Highers system. While A-levels are globally recognised, parents should consider the implications for university applications, particularly if targeting Scottish universities where the entry requirements differ.

Boarding Scale. With around 60 boarders, the boarding community is small and intimate. This suits pupils who want a family feel but may not offer the sheer bustle and variety of a large boarding school with hundreds of residents.

Longridge Towers School offers a unique proposition: an English independent education in a stunning border setting. It provides a nurturing, broad-ability environment where the "whole child" rhetoric is backed by reality. The "Hogwarts" setting inspires, but it is the grounded, friendly atmosphere that defines the experience. Best suited to families in Northumberland and the Borders seeking a supportive, all-through school where character and confidence are valued as highly as examination grades. The main challenge is the travel time for those living at the edges of its wide catchment.