Set within 230 acres of rolling Cotswold parkland five miles north of Cirencester, Rendcomb College occupies a historic estate anchored by a magnificent 17th-century manor house. The school educates over 400 pupils from nursery through sixth form in an all-through model that spans ages three to nineteen, with boarding available from Year 7 onwards. The 2022 ISI inspection awarded the school Excellent ratings across all major areas, commending the quality of pupils' academic development, personal achievement, and wellbeing. This is a school where thoughtful, adventurous and ambitious learners thrive in a genuinely inclusive community, one defined not by competitive hierarchy but by genuine care and participation.
At drop-off, you notice something immediately: the school breathes calm purposefulness without pretence. There are no social hierarchies here. Pupils wearing the neat uniform move between modern teaching blocks and the weathered brick of the historic main building with equal ease. The campus feels lived-in rather than polished; rosy cheeks and muddy knees from Forest School expeditions seem more common than pristine appearances.
The foundational values, Thoughtful, Adventurous, Ambitious, are genuinely embedded. Teachers model these daily. The Head of Sixth Form, reflecting on her role, noted how staff themselves undertake high-ropes courses, appear in language videos they haven't used in years, and lead yoga classes alongside pupils. This is a place where adults ask themselves the same questions they ask students: Where can I push myself?
Andy Murphy became head in Sept 2025 after serving as senior deputy head at Stamford School (Lincolnshire), bringing 18 years’ experience across both boarding and day-school settings. He succeeded Rob Jones, who led the school from 2015 with distinction, leaving a legacy of growth and strengthened academics. The transition has been seamless; the school's trajectory remains upward.
The inclusive ethos extends beyond rhetoric. With no more than 50 pupils per year group in the senior school, staff genuinely know every student. Families describe the environment as "a good cross-section ethnically plus economically," with international pupils, up to 30%, drawn from Japan, South Africa, Nigeria and beyond. The school actively accommodates individual interests: equestrian riders are transported to nearby stables; budding Latinists receive tuition from a retired Latin teacher who remains in close contact. This willingness to personalise education defines the place.
Rendcomb's GCSE outcomes sit comfortably in the top tier in England. In the most recent data, 39% of entries achieved grades 9-7, well above comparable schools of similar size and non-selective character. The school ranks 650th (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 15% of schools in England and first among independent schools in its county. Across the four core subjects, English, Mathematics, Science and Languages, results are consistently strong, reflecting both rigorous teaching and individual support.
The school's approach balances breadth with depth. All pupils follow a traditional academic curriculum through to Year 9, then select four additional options from Art, Business Studies, Computing, Drama, Music and others. This flexibility allows genuine interest-led study without sacrificing core strength in mathematics and English.
At A-level, pupils achieve strong grades with just under 58% securing A*-B grades. The school ranks 774th in England in A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the solid middle tier and first among independent schools regionally. In a school focused on all-round development rather than exam theatre, these results demonstrate rigorous academics without sacrifice of pastoral care or extracurricular breadth.
University progression reflects this balance. In 2024, 45% of sixth form leavers progressed directly to university, with the remainder pursuing apprenticeships and employment. Beyond Oxbridge, leavers regularly secure places at Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter and Bristol, with particular strength in facilitating subjects preferred by Russell Group institutions. One student secured a place at Cambridge; another at Oxford in the same cohort. These figures matter less for their headline value than for confirming that serious academic engagement is rewarded.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
57.69%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
39%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at Rendcomb follows clear structures grounded in subject expertise. Every pupil takes timetabled music lessons until the end of Year 9, creating a school culture where musical literacy is expected baseline. Nearly 40% of senior pupils then continue with private instrumental lessons during the school day. This commitment to the arts alongside academics shapes every timetable.
The Extended Project Qualification runs for sixth formers, alongside the C3 Programme emphasising Creation, Collaboration and Communication. Teaching staff have invested heavily in professional development; the previous head completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship, and this investment in continuing education permeates the staffroom. Computer science teaching is particularly strong, housed in a state-of-the-art lab where "coding is one of the most popular extracurricular activities." In 2015, a Rendcomb team won the Longitude Explorer Prize for "Displaced," a mobile app using live social media data to help charities identify vulnerable people, real innovation emerging from genuine enthusiasm.
The curriculum accommodates diverse learners. Specialist support for those with mild learning difficulties is woven into mainstream teaching. The school accepts pupils with specific learning differences where confident they can access the mainstream curriculum. Learning Support offers tuition in reading and spelling, plus targeted help with maths and study skills, and also gives guidance to pupils who need support without extra tuition.
The school operates as a caring community bound by genuine connection rather than formal rules. Pastoral structures are age-appropriate: younger pupils are supported intensively; sixth formers are given autonomy alongside mentorship. An on-site medical centre staffs two sisters at all times, available to all pupils.
Behaviour expectations are clear and enforced kindly. Mobile phones are removed during the school day for Years 7-11 (returned at 5pm for day pupils, 6:30pm for boarders), allowing genuine presence in lessons and social spaces. Sixth formers retain phones but understand their use is restricted. This staged approach reflects developmental psychology rather than blanket restriction, a hallmark of the school's thoughtfulness.
Boarding houses create community and independence in balance. Combined day-and-boarding houses for Years 7-9 are gender-mixed; Years 10-13 have designated boys' and girls' houses. Houseparents live on campus with families. The largest sixth formers occupy their own house with kitchens, study rooms and lounges, where self-catering and budget management prepare for university life. Flexi-boarding is available for day pupils seeking flexible stays; occasional boarding accommodates last-minute overnight needs for special events.
Boarder welfare includes a full Sunday programme, cultural trips to Oxford, London, Bath and Cardiff; local entertainment; film nights. Exeat weekends (except May Bank Holiday) have been removed so boarders can request bespoke activities rather than obligatory leave. This inversion of tradition reflects student agency.
The £3.3 million Griffin Theatre, opened in 2017, anchors the performing arts programme. A 350-seat auditorium with orchestra pit, light-bar and professional sound system hosts anything from Macbeth to rock concerts. Behind-stage facilities include a dedicated dance studio with ballet barres and mirrored walls; lighting and sound engineering suites; costume and set design workshops. Backstage activities run throughout the year, pupils who aren't "natural thespians" contribute to lighting, sound, costume or set design, ensuring every production is genuinely collaborative.
Drama productions are ambitious. School has staged Hairspray, Skellig, Bouncers, Oliver, Equus, The Crucible, Little Shop of Horrors and contemporary pieces alongside classics. Dance theatre features prominently, with coaching spanning ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop and competitive shows at the Cheltenham Festival. Intimate coffee concerts sit alongside full orchestral performances.
A third of the senior school takes individual music lessons. The school offers auditioned chamber choirs, orchestral and ensemble work, rock bands, ukulele bands and small combos. Performances range from intimate internal recitals to public showcases. All pupils study music formally until Year 9, creating a baseline music literacy unusual in schools of this size. The music classrooms house top-range Apple Macs; during visits, glockenspiel sounds drift from open windows.
Computing is a genuine strength. The coding lab attracts serious engagement; coding is listed as one of the most popular extracurricular activities. The school's ICT facilities won the ICT Facility Award at the Education Business Awards (2017) and was shortlisted for ICT Innovation. Beyond coding clubs, pupils engage with Young Enterprise schemes, mathematics clinics and academies in specific subjects.
Science teaching benefits from specialist preparation rooms and well-equipped laboratories for separate sciences. STEM-focused pupils can pursue Extended Project Qualifications in these areas, and specialist pathways support those targeting medical and veterinary schools.
The 10-acre sports park, known colloquially as "Up Top", rotates each term between rugby and lacrosse pitches (six in total), cricket pitches (five), football pitches (three) and an athletics track. An astroturf facility (new, opened autumn 2018) hosts hockey in winter and converts to 12 tennis courts in summer. Additional facilities include a strength-and-conditioning gym with rowing and weights machines, a sports hall with basketball court, badminton court, cricket nets and five-a-side football, a separate gym and squash court, volleyball court and clay pigeon shooting field.
Sport at Rendcomb balances inclusivity with excellence. Rugby, lacrosse, hockey, cricket and tennis are the core competitive sports; football, cross country, badminton and basketball are strong. Specialist academies run in Hockey, Lacrosse and Tennis; an Athletic Performance Programme supports those targeting county or regional representation. Recent achievements include pupils representing Wales in fencing, Gloucestershire and South West schools in cross country and lacrosse, county representation in cricket and hockey, and a national dragon boat rower representing Great Britain at the U18 European Championships in Rome.
Equestrian activities are offered off-site at nearby Rectory Farm Arena. Sailing, golf (through partnership with Cirencester Golf Club), mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting and yoga cater to diverse interests. Outdoor pursuits include orienteering and team-building in the "woodland wilderness" area spanning the campus.
Sport scholarships are available at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 entry for those demonstrating exceptional potential.
The activities programme rotates termly with over 100 different clubs and societies. Pupils choose four activities per term from a diverse range: academic clinics alongside fitness dance, coding clubs alongside rock bands, debate societies alongside the Young Enterprise scheme. Sixth formers run voluntary activities for younger pupils (counting toward Duke of Edinburgh); a dedicated Sixth Form Lecture Series brings visiting speakers discussing topics from Cold War espionage to finance careers.
Forest School operates weekly for juniors, introducing outdoor learning through play and exploration. Duke of Edinburgh's Award runs to Gold level, with sixth formers pursuing the highest tier. Saturday mornings (since 2018) rotate between sports fixtures and a programme of new-skills activities, cookery, skiing, yoga, archery, canoeing and music workshops.
Key named societies and activities include: Debate Society, Dissection Society (for medics), Meccatronics club, Photography studio, Ukulele bands, Chamber choir, Drama productions, Young Enterprise, Coding workshops, Mountain biking, Sailing, Clay pigeon shooting, Golf academy, Horse riding, Forest School.
The school's smaller size (compared to larger independent schools) creates genuine inclusivity in extracurriculars. If the school is staging a play, every pupil is invited to contribute, whether as actor, set designer, costume maker, or backstage crew. This isn't tokenistic; it's structural to how the place operates.
Fees data coming soon.
Rendcomb has three main entry points: Reception, Year 7 and Year 9 (with sixth form at Year 12). The school is not selective; admissions are based on interview, taster days and compatibility assessment rather than competitive entrance exams. Junior school entry involves a two-way process, the school assesses fit; families assess whether Rendcomb aligns with their values.
Senior school entry at Year 7 and Year 9 requires candidates to complete entrance testing in English, Mathematics and Reasoning, plus an interview with senior staff. International students take the Oxford Placement Test (OPT) upon arrival to determine EAL support level. An American Programme is available for those seeking US higher education pathways. A one-year IGCSE programme accommodates international pupils requiring accelerated entry.
Scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ and 16+ across Academic, Music, Sport, Art and Drama categories. Named awards include the Noel Wills Scholarship and the Rendcomb Scholarship (available at 11+ only). Scholarship candidates are assessed on potential and "the value they will add to school life." No limit exists on the number awarded; the school seeks excellence and awards accordingly. All scholarships are reassessed annually.
Bursaries are means-tested and available. The head takes pride in having reduced day fees to make the school accessible to more families; boarding fees increase progressively with year group, in line with comparable schools. Sibling discounts apply for two or more children (2nd child 5%, 3rd+ 15%); a 10% loyalty discount is awarded to those continuing from Junior to Senior School.
Fees are £3,372 per term for full day - Reception; £3,498 per term for Year 1; £4,644 per term for Year 2; £5,724 per term for Year 3-4, and £6,359 per term for Year 5-6; nursery fees are provided directly by the school on request.
Fees data coming soon.
Occasional boarding is available at £60-£75 per night (depending on year group); flexi-boarding allows pre-booked weekly nights at £520-£2,208 per term (depending on nights and year).
Lunch is included in all day fees. Registration fees and acceptance deposits apply (consult school for current amounts). Government-funded early years provision (30 hours) is available for ages 3-4 in nursery and reception, credited against fees. A capital fees scheme allows advance payment; contact the Bursar for details.
Lessons finish at 4pm for Years 7-11. Sixth form games run until 5pm on Mondays; activities until 5pm on other days. Before-school care and after-school activities run daily.
Breakfast club from 7:45am; after-school club until 6pm. Holiday club available during main school holidays.
The A435 links Rendcomb directly to Cheltenham and Cirencester (20-25 minutes drive). Kemble train station (20 minutes) offers direct services to London Paddington (under 2 hours) plus regional services. Cheltenham Spa station (25 minutes) provides additional rail access. Bristol, Birmingham and London Heathrow airports are all within 2 hours' drive. Local bus routes serve the school; minibuses run Saturday afternoon trips to Cheltenham and Cirencester for local shopping.
The campus includes a Forest School building, kiln studio, photography darkroom, science laboratories, state-of-the-art gym, sports pavilion, Griffin Theatre with dance studio, sixth form centre with study rooms and kitchen, and numerous specialist teaching blocks. An on-site medical centre provides 24-hour nursing cover.
Small school size: With fewer than 50 pupils per year group in the senior school, breadth of social groups is limited compared to larger schools. Pupils thrive in a close-knit, familial community; those preferring anonymity in large year groups may find the atmosphere too intimate.
Inclusive rather than elite-competitive: This is not a school for families seeking to maximise every child's ranking or test score. The ethos emphasises wellbeing, participation and personal growth. Those wanting a pressure-cooker academic environment should look elsewhere.
Rural location: Five miles north of Cirencester places Rendcomb in genuine countryside rather than a town centre. Some families view this as an advantage (outdoor education, peaceful campus); others find isolation a drawback. Public transport exists but requires planning.
Boarding begins Year 7: Day places exist throughout, but boarding is the dominant experience from Year 7 onward. Families not comfortable with residential education should understand this shapes school culture and weekly rhythms significantly.
Rendcomb College succeeds at something increasingly rare: providing an academically rigorous education within a genuinely supportive, inclusive community. The school doesn't trade breadth for depth; pupils study traditional academics while engaging in drama, music, art and sport at levels matching schools with triple the resources. Teachers know every pupil. The 230-acre estate provides freedom and outdoor learning not available in urban schools. Results are solid without dominating conversation.
This is best suited to families valuing all-round development over narrow achievement; pupils who thrive in smaller communities; learners who benefit from personalised attention and genuine participation in school life. It's ideal for those comfortable with boarding; strong for day pupils too. It's not for those seeking academic selectivity or the prestige of a school name in league tables. It is, genuinely, for thoughtful, adventurous, ambitious learners ready to grow alongside equally thoughtful, adventurous, ambitious peers.
Yes. The school was rated Excellent by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in May 2022 across all major areas. GCSE results place it in the top 15% of schools in England; A-level grades are solid and consistent. But "good" at Rendcomb means more than exam results. Pupils develop genuine confidence, independence and kindness. Teachers invest in whole-person development. The boarding experience creates lasting friendships and resilience. Parents consistently report their children thrive here. This is a school where young people are known, challenged fairly and supported generously.
Fees for 2025-26 are termly (three terms annually). Junior School day fees range from £3,372 (Reception) to £6,359 (Year 5-6) per term. Senior School day fees range from £8,946 (Year 7-8) to £11,688 (Year 10-11) per term. Boarding fees range from £12,780 (weekly, Year 7-8) to £18,630 (full boarding, Year 10+) per term. Lunch and core activities are included. Occasional and flexi-boarding options are available at lower cost. Scholarships are awarded at entry points (11+, 13+, 16+) across academic, music, sport, art and drama categories. Bursaries are means-tested. Sibling discounts (5%-15%) and a 10% loyalty discount (Junior to Senior progression) apply.
Day places are available at all levels, from nursery through sixth form. However, boarding is the dominant experience from Year 7 onward, shaping school culture and weekly rhythms. Junior School (Reception-Year 6) is primarily day-based. The boarding community is well-integrated; day pupils participate fully in afternoon/evening activities and weekday boarding is popular. Flexi-boarding allows day pupils to stay one or more nights weekly if desired.
The school offers over 100 different clubs and activities, rotating termly. Sports include rugby, lacrosse, hockey, cricket, tennis, football, cross-country, badminton, basketball, clay pigeon shooting, equestrian (off-site), sailing, golf, mountain biking and yoga. Academically, coding clubs, debate society, dissection society (for medics), young enterprise and mathematical clinics are popular. Arts include drama productions, music ensembles, photography, art studio work and dance. Duke of Edinburgh runs to Gold level; Forest School operates weekly for juniors. Saturday mornings rotate between fixtures and skills workshops (cookery, skiing, archery, canoeing).
All pupils study music formally until the end of Year 9. Nearly 40% of senior pupils take individual music lessons during school day. The school offers auditioned chamber choirs, orchestral and ensemble work, rock bands, ukulele bands and small combos. Performances range from intimate coffee concerts to full productions in the 350-seat Griffin Theatre. Music classrooms feature top-range Apple Macs and specialist equipment. Many pupils perform at the Cheltenham Festival and other local venues.
Rendcomb sits on a stunning 230-acre estate. The 10-acre sports park includes six rugby/lacrosse pitches, five cricket pitches, three football pitches and an athletics track. The astroturf hosts hockey in winter and converts to 12 tennis courts in summer. A state-of-the-art gym has rowing, weights and spin machines; a sports hall has basketball, badminton, cricket nets and five-a-side football. The £3.3 million Griffin Theatre (350-seat auditorium, orchestra pit, dance studio) is the focal point for drama and music. A sixth form centre provides dedicated study spaces, lounge and kitchen. Specialist facilities include science laboratories, computer labs, photography darkroom, kiln studio, forest school building and an on-site medical centre.
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