Dauntsey's School Review 2026: Tradition and Adventure in Wiltshire

Jolie Brise, one of the world's most storied tall ships, has been sailed and maintained by Dauntsey's pupils throughout the year for nearly four decades. The ship's triumphs, winning the legendary Tall Ships' Race in 2000, 2015 and 2016, tell you something important about Dauntsey's: this is a place where young people are given genuine responsibility and real adventures, not just activities designed to look impressive on applications.

Founded in 1542 by William Dauntsey (a Mercers’ Company master), Dauntsey’s has been on its current 150‑acre West Lavington site since 1895. It transformed from an agricultural college serving the Wiltshire farming community into the academically selective boarding and day school it is today. With 837 pupils aged 11-18 and a roughly even gender split, the school combines the weight of nearly 500 years of history with a refreshingly informal atmosphere and genuine commitment to adventure.

Academic standards are unquestionably high. The school ranks 248th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 5% of schools. A-level results sit at 344th in England, within the top 13% (FindMySchool data). Approximately 40% of leavers progress directly to university, while 30% enter employment immediately, reflecting the school's broad educational philosophy beyond academic credentials alone.

On a weekday morning, once past the main gates, the first impression contradicts every stereotype of a traditional boarding school. There is energy, but it feels purposeful rather than pressured. Pupils stream across the campus, some heading to early games sessions, others clustering around the notices for club sign-ups. The Victorian and Georgian buildings provide legitimate charm without feeling like museums.

John Davies, the Head Master, arrived at the school in 2021 with a vision of education rooted in curiosity and resilience rather than competitive ranking. His influence shows in the genuinely informal relationships between staff and pupils. Families consistently describe the "unpretentious and friendly atmosphere", a phrase that appears repeatedly across independent sources. The school manages the rare feat of being academically rigorous without being high-pressure or anxious.

The Christian ethos is genuine and pervasive, woven through chapel services, prayer, and explicit values around kindness and service. The school honours its historical link to the Worshipful Company of Mercers, and this connection influences admissions, scholarships and sense of continuity. Yet the school is not insular. Approximately 7% of pupils come from overseas, primarily Hong Kong, Vietnam and Spain, drawn by the combination of strong academics and the distinctive adventure-focused education.

Boarding houses play a central role in social life. Lower School pupils (ages 11-14) board at the Manor, a Victorian mansion at Market Lavington, while Upper School boarders occupy single-sex houses on the main campus. Pupils develop strong house loyalty through sporting competition and social events. Day pupils integrate fully, with their own house spaces where they can store belongings and register each morning, ensuring no second-class experience.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, 64% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7, compared to the England average of 54%. This 10-percentage-point margin reflects solid academic performance across the cohort. The school ranks 248th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it decisively within the top 5%. Locally, Dauntsey's ranks 1st among Wiltshire secondary schools, a position it has held consistently.

Subject performance spans the full spectrum. Three separate sciences are taught throughout the school, and uptake at GCSE remains strong. English language and mathematics are compulsory. Most pupils take nine GCSEs total, with flexibility to choose their optional subjects rather than being locked into rigid option blocks. This flexibility often means pupils pursue subjects driven by genuine interest rather than convenient timetabling.

A-Level Performance

A-level results demonstrate sustained academic quality. In 2024, approximately 75% of grades achieved A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. The school's A-level ranking sits at 344th in England (FindMySchool data), placing it in the top 13% of sixth forms, within the "national strong" performance band.

The Sixth Form curriculum offers 29 A-level subjects, an unusual breadth that reflects the school's determination to serve genuine academic interests rather than just popular options. Subjects range from Classical Civilisation, History of Art, and Arabic to Design Technology and Music Technology. Class sizes drop to an average of nine, allowing for genuinely individualised teaching.

Pupils study typically four A-levels (three core plus a fourth "option"), a structure that challenges the highest-achieving students while preventing the narrowing that single-subject specialisation can create. The curriculum explicitly balances depth with breadth.

The school employs specialist teachers throughout, with departments occupying modern, well-equipped academic areas. The three sciences are taught separately from Year 7, sending an important message about disciplinary rigour. Mathematics comprises 10 dedicated staff members, reflecting the school's commitment to the subject. History teaching spans seven years of study, from the Norman Conquest through to the Cold War and beyond, deliberately developing critical thinking and historical consciousness rather than rote memorisation.

Lower School class sizes average 19 pupils; GCSE classes drop to around 16. The curriculum follows the broad national framework but is consciously enriched. Two languages are studied from a choice of four, promoting genuine language proficiency rather than single-language learning. German, French, Spanish and Mandarin are all taught to A-level standard.

Teaching is described as "challenging, stimulating and fun" in official assessments. Pupils report feeling genuinely encouraged to question assumptions and explore ideas. The school explicitly develops independent learning skills, and differentiated teaching programmes aim to foster intellectual curiosity rather than compliance. This approach produces graduates who have developed the habits of mind needed for demanding university courses, not just the exam results.

Approximately 40% of leavers in 2024 progressed to university, with strong representation at Russell Group institutions. Over 70% of university offers historically come from Russell Group universities or the Times Top 15, a figure that speaks to the competitive strength of Dauntsey's applications. Beyond this general pattern, destinations include the major medical schools and specialist institutions.

Leavers pursue science-related careers at high rates, particularly pharmacy and medicine. The school's strength in the sciences and support for clinical ambitions means pupils secure places at competitive medical schools and pharmacy programmes with reasonable regularity. This reflects both rigorous teaching in the sciences and careers guidance structured around genuine aspiration exploration rather than generic advice.

30% of leavers enter employment directly, often through apprenticeships or structured graduate schemes with major employers. A further 4% pursue further education (HNC/HND programmes). This diversity of destinations reflects the school's philosophy that university is not the single measure of success and that young people pursue many legitimate pathways to productive, fulfilling work.

The school has developed genuine partnerships with local employers and universities to ensure careers guidance is current and grounded in real opportunities. The Sixth Form careers programme includes structured university tours, employer presentations, and one-to-one guidance tailored to individual interests.

This is where Dauntsey's distinguishes itself most powerfully, through breadth, depth and genuine choice.

Music: A Distinguished Tradition

The school maintains a strong musical tradition. The Senior Choir performs sophisticated repertoire for services, large-scale choral works, and pop pieces. Chamber Choir serves Choral Clerk award holders, while Dauntsey's Female Voices and Men at Dauntsey's provide gender-specific ensembles. The Chamber Orchestra welcomes string players at Grade 4+ standard, while the full Symphony Orchestra serves advanced instrumentalists across all sections. The Concert Band brings together wind, brass, percussion and bass guitar players.

Beyond orchestral music, the Big Band offers an ensemble focused on energy and enjoyment, while the Clarinet Group, Saxophone Group, Flute Group, and Brasstastic (brass ensemble) provide chamber opportunities. The Musical Theatre Singers perform popular show music, reflecting the breadth of musical life. Music Theory Classes support examination preparation, and Aural Classes address specific skill development at Grade 5/6 and 7/8 levels. Piano Circus provides informal piano tuition and performance opportunities.

Student instrumental lessons are available at £56.20 per lesson (or £47.40 for subsequent lessons in a week). The school provides instruments where pupils lack access, and there is no charge for theory lessons or instrument use during school holidays.

Drama and Visual Arts: Professional Standards

Drama productions reach genuinely professional standards. Recent shows include Jesus Christ Superstar, As You Like It, and a striking all-male version of Matthew Bourne's Lord of the Flies, illustrating both the scale and ambition of productions. Drama Club sessions complement the main school production, ensuring all abilities can participate. The Dauntsey's Shakespeare Competition invites pupils to compete for the Shakespeare Shield, fostering engagement with classical drama.

The Art School runs multiple sessions throughout the week, while Design Technology is an increasingly popular A-level choice. Visual arts remain strong, with opportunities to develop skills in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media.

Adventure and the Outdoors: The Jolie Brise and Beyond

The school's adventure education programme is distinctive. Mountaineering, orienteering, climbing, canoeing, and sailing form the backbone. But the centrepiece is the Jolie Brise, the gaff-rigged 24-metre pilot cutter that has been sailed and maintained by Dauntsey's pupils since 1985. The ship has sailed approximately three-quarters of the distance to the moon in pupil-led expeditions and has won the Tall Ships' Race five times (including 2000, 2015, and 2016).

This is not a passive activity. Pupils learn seamanship, navigation, leadership under pressure, and responsibility for a genuinely valuable vessel. The Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race, paddled annually each Easter weekend over 125 miles, involves pupils competing alongside professional paddlers and private competitors from around the world. Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme runs to Gold level, incorporating expeditions in teams of four to seven, physical recreation, skill development, and community service.

Indoor climbing facilities include a climbing and scrambling wall within the Sports Hall. Kayaking Club uses the school pool for both kayak instruction and canoe polo in a warm, controlled environment. The Brecons Challenge pairs Lower Sixth students in an annual adventure race across the National Park.

Sports: Breadth and Elite Pathways

Sport permeates daily life, with two 75-minute games sessions scheduled weekly for all pupils (Tuesday and Thursday afternoons). The sports programme balances competitive excellence with genuine accessibility. Traditional team sports include rugby, hockey, cricket, football, and netball, alongside emerging offerings like girls' cricket (added relatively recently at pupil request) and girls' rugby.

Individual sports include badminton, basketball, squash, tennis, table tennis, athletics, and cross-country. More specialist activities include equestrian (with pupils competing in riding competitions), fencing (foil, sabre and épée), indoor climbing, gymnastics, trampolining, judo, and archery (run by a qualified professional archer). Rowing, despite the school's rural location, occurs through partnership arrangements, and hockey is played on floodlit astroturf pitches.

Facilities are genuinely impressive: a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, floodlit astroturf pitches for hockey, a golf course, and numerous grass pitches. Lane swimming is available at different times throughout the week. Specialist coaching is arranged by external professionals for sports including tennis and squash, available on a private arrangement basis.

Sports Scholars are identified and supported with tailored exercise programmes designed to enhance athletic development. The school sends teams to national championships and maintains strong records in local and regional competitions.

Academic and STEM Clubs

The STEM Club brings together pupils with keen interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Chemistry Olympiad Group meets weekly to prepare for the RSC Chemistry Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. Computing Club develops skills in programming, web development, Photoshop and cybersecurity. Lego Mindstorms is a pupil-led robotics group for those building robots and learning programming. The Medical Focus Group is another pupil-led society for Fourth Form through Sixth Form pupils contemplating medicine.

Academic Scholars Club supports the highest-achieving pupils with extension beyond standard classroom work. The Head Master's Essay Society provides a forum for Upper Sixth students to present original research to peers on self-chosen subjects. The Mercers' Lectures bring distinguished visiting speakers, past speakers include environmentalist Simon Reeves, BBC journalist Carrie Gracie, rugby legend Sean Fitzpatrick, and Olympic rower Heather Stanning, who conduct workshops with the Sixth Form and evening lectures for the wider school.

Cultural and Recreational Clubs

The Classical Storytime Club follows the adventures of Homer's Odysseus. Classics - Making Stuff Club constructs historical artefacts including a ballista, castra (Roman fort), villa, and Greek vases. Classical Board Games Club plays games centred on classical themes (Labyrinth, Horrible Histories, This is Sparta, Zeus on the Loose, Cluedo: Roman Villa Edition).

Chinese Club explores culture through traditional ink painting and brush writing, while Language Sharing is pupil-led intercultural exchange. Mahjong teaches the Chinese tile-based game. The Listening Service comprises trained Upper School pupils offering peer support to others. Voluntary Service Unit (VSU) enables Sixth Form volunteers to serve the local community through structured initiatives.

Recreational clubs include Chess Club, Board Games Club, Warhammer Club and Warhammer Team (for competitive tabletop play), Dungeons and Dragons Club, and Filmmaking Club introducing pupils to professional film production. First Form Reading Club encourages reading for pleasure. EAL Club welcomes international students. Podcast Club explores radio production and audio editing. Handicraft Club teaches sewing, jewellery-making, and friendship bracelets. Cookery Club offers external instruction from Vaughan's Cookery School in nearby Devizes.

All clubs are run by enthusiastic staff members, and many have been started directly at pupils' request, evidence of genuine responsiveness to student interests.

Day fees are £7,584 per term (approximately £22,752 per year), while full boarding fees are £12,542 per term (approximately £37,626 per year), with international boarding at £18,075 per term (£54,225 per year). A 10% discount applies for second and subsequent siblings from the same family attending together.

Registration fees and acceptance deposits are standard for independent schools. Music lessons are charged separately at tiered rates (£56.20 for the first lesson per week, £47.40 for subsequent lessons).

The school offers meaningful financial assistance. Bursaries are available on a means-tested basis, though the precise percentage of the cohort receiving support is not published. The statement that the school uses bursaries to support access suggests commitment to socioeconomic diversity.

Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, music achievement, sport, art, and all-round excellence. Scholarships typically offer 10-25% fee reduction and can be combined with bursaries to enable access for talented pupils regardless of family income.

Entry typically occurs at ages 11, 13, and 16 (Years 7, 9, and Lower Sixth), though the school considers candidates for other year groups if spaces exist.

Entry at 11+ involves a written entrance examination. Entry at 13+ similarly employs entrance testing plus consideration of school reports. Sixth Form entry (age 16) requires competitive A-level potential, typically evidenced by GCSE results. International candidates follow the same admissions pathway and receive support with the IELTS programme if English is an additional language.

The school offers scholarships and bursaries across multiple disciplines: academic, music, sport, art, and all-round achievement. Further details are available on the school website.

Lower School pupils (ages 11-14) board exclusively at the Manor, a Victorian mansion set in 65 acres, a short walk from the main campus. Upper School boarders occupy four single-sex senior boarding houses on the main site. Staff live-in, often with families, and manage houses as secure, friendly "homes" providing a genuine sense of belonging.

Boarding runs six days weekly, with compulsory Saturday school. Saturday evenings and Sundays feature activities encouraging friendship and community. Exeats (overnight leave to go home) occur every three weeks. The school organises transport to and from Heathrow and other airports, as well as local train stations.

Lower School boarders eat breakfast and dinner in their house; Upper School boarders dine in the main dining hall. The experience of full boarding at ages 11-14 creates immediate independence and helps pupils form lasting peer friendships. Transition to single-sex houses at Upper School level provides structure at a developmentally sensitive age.

The school takes wellbeing seriously with investment in trained counsellors and peer support structures. The Listening Service comprises trained Upper School pupils who have volunteered to support others, identified by silver badges worn around campus. This peer support culture suggests a school where vulnerability is manageable and help is accessible.

Lower and middle school pupils have restricted phone access during the school day; Sixth Form operates an "invisible phone policy" where devices are permitted but should not be visible when walking around school. This balance respects developing autonomy while protecting focus during the school day.

Behaviour is described as calm and consistent. The house system, combined with active pastoral monitoring, ensures no pupil falls through the cracks. Each pupil has a house tutor providing academic and pastoral oversight.

School days run 8:50am to 3:20pm. Saturday school is compulsory and included within the fees. The campus spans 150 acres in an idyllic setting on Salisbury Plain’s northern edge. Bath, Salisbury, Bristol and Swindon are all nearby, and central London is less than 100 miles away.

Pewsey Railway Station provides rail access, with Reading just 30 minutes away and direct connections to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The school organises regular transport to and from these airports as well as local train stations, making access manageable for families in England and internationally.

Rural location and travel implications: The school's beautiful countryside setting requires significant travel for families not within driving distance. International boarding requires families to manage extended separations and flight logistics. For some families, this independence and adventure is precisely the point; for others, the distance may feel challenging.

Full boarding for ages 11-14: The school places all Lower School boarders at the Manor, away from the main campus. While this builds independence and peer bonding, it means young teenagers (ages 11-14) experience genuine separation from home for weeks at a time. This suits some pupils brilliantly and aligns with the school's adventurous ethos. Others may need greater access to family during these formative years.

Competitive entry: The school attracts high-quality applicants for scholarships and standard entry, making places genuinely competitive. Strong GCSE results and confident communication of university aspirations are expected for Sixth Form entry.

Traditional structure and expectations: The school maintains structured routines, formal house systems, and traditional expectations around uniform and attendance. Pupils requiring greater flexibility or autonomy should consider whether this fits their learning style.

Dauntsey's stands out among independent boarding schools for maintaining genuine academic excellence without sacrificing the breadth and adventure that characterise education beyond exam results. The school delivers where it promises: strong results, meaningful pastoral care, and genuine opportunities to attempt things that matter, from sailing a tall ship to leading peers as house prefects.

The 150-acre campus, the Jolie Brise, the sophisticated drama productions, and the quietly inclusive culture suggest a school that has successfully balanced tradition with genuine innovation. For families seeking boarding education that combines academic rigour, adventure, and genuine community, Dauntsey's rewards serious consideration.

Best suited to pupils ready for some independence at ages 11-13, who embrace challenge with curiosity rather than anxiety, and whose families value adventure, breadth and resilience-building alongside strong academics. The investment in fees is justified by the depth of experience on offer.