On 160 acres of Shropshire countryside, where Victorian Gothic architecture meets purpose-built sports facilities, Ellesmere College has been educating young people since 1884. Founded by Canon Nathaniel Woodard as part of his chain of Anglican schools, the College combines a traditional boarding ethos with modern academic pathways including A-levels, BTECs, and the International Baccalaureate. As one of only 22 schools worldwide with World Academy of Sport accreditation, Ellesmere offers a distinctive proposition for student-athletes seeking to balance elite sport with serious academic study.
The school serves approximately 565 pupils aged 7 to 19, with over 40% of the community involved in boarding. Day, weekly, and full boarding options provide flexibility for families across Shropshire, North Wales, and beyond. Under the headship of Mr Jonathan Shaw, the College maintains what he describes as a "down to earth, but with a sense of ambition and a genuinely holistic approach" to education.
The semi-rural campus sits in the market town of Ellesmere, surrounded by meres and rolling farmland. The original Victorian buildings, constructed after Lord Brownlow donated the land in 1879, have been extended over decades to create a campus that blends period character with contemporary facilities. The chapel, designed by Sir Aston Webb and completed in 1959 after modifications by Sir Charles Nicholson, houses a rare Schulze organ originally installed at St Mary's Parish Church, Tyne Dock, and transferred to Ellesmere in 1980.
The school's Woodard Foundation heritage shapes its Anglican character. Chapel services and the school's values permeate daily life, though the community welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. The annual House singing competition reflects the community feel; everyone gives voice with their Houses, whether they can sing or not. This event, competitively anticipated each year, captures the spirit of a school small enough for every pupil to be known, yet large enough to offer genuine breadth.
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Boarding is organised by age group rather than traditional houses, allowing pupils to grow within larger friendship groups and share experiences across year groups. Each house is run by an experienced Housemaster or Housemistress with strong pastoral support. Boys can board from age 13; girls from 12.
Mr Shaw emphasises that pupil wellbeing is central to all that the school does. The College aims to equip students with the skills, character, and sense of responsibility to make a difference in whatever path they take in life.
At A-level in 2024, 96% of grades were passes, with 4.3% at A* and 12.8% at A. Combined, 47.9% of grades achieved A*-B, placing Ellesmere in line with the middle 35% of schools in England for sixth form outcomes (FindMySchool ranking: 1,358th in England). The school ranks 1st locally in the Ellesmere area for A-level results.
The International Baccalaureate provides an alternative pathway, particularly valued by student-athletes. In 2024, 53% of IB students achieved 30 or more points, the gold standard for the diploma. Top performers included Joseph from France with 41 points, heading to Bocconi University in Milan, and Oksana from Ukraine with 40 points, secured a place at Harvard.
BTEC qualifications achieved a 100% pass rate with multiple Distinctions, offering vocational pathways alongside traditional academic routes.
GCSE results tell a different story. The school's Attainment 8 score of 32.4 and England ranking of 3,789th places it in the lower 40% of schools in England. However, context matters here. Ellesmere admits students across a broad ability range, with specialist sports academies attracting talented athletes whose training schedules demand flexible academic arrangements. The College does not operate as an academic hothouse, and families choosing Ellesmere typically prioritise the combination of sport, personal development, and academic study over maximising examination scores.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
47.86%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
In 2024, 43% of leavers progressed to university, with 3% starting apprenticeships and 21% entering employment. The diversity of destinations reflects the school's broad intake. Over the past five years, students have secured places at Cambridge for Computer Science and Medicine, Imperial College, Durham, Bath, Birmingham, and specialist institutions including Bocconi University in Milan and Minerva University in San Francisco.
Ten students applied to Oxbridge in the measurement period, with one securing an offer and accepting a place at Cambridge. Oxford applications numbered five, with no offers that year, while five applied to Cambridge with one successful acceptance.
Ellesmere students often pursue pathways beyond traditional university routes. Elite swimmers, tennis players, and golfers may enter professional sport, while others take gap years to consolidate training before higher education. The BTEC pathway supports students seeking technical careers.
The curriculum spans three pathways at sixth form: A-levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and BTEC qualifications. Students can mix and match in some cases, though the IB Diploma requires commitment to six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge and an Extended Essay.
The IB was introduced in September 2006 as a challenging alternative to A-levels. Students study courses from six different subject groups, including languages, humanities, sciences and mathematics, as well as a philosophy and ethics course. The diploma is held in high esteem by universities and suits students who prefer breadth over early specialisation.
The academic timetable is deliberately structured to allow student-athletes to manage training commitments alongside studies. The College monitors academic performance carefully, recognising that sporting excellence and academic achievement require careful balance.
Entry requirements for sixth form study vary by pathway. A-level candidates need minimum five grade 4/5 passes at GCSE. The IB Diploma requires a higher standard given its demanding nature. Sixth form students do not sit an entrance examination; offers are conditional on GCSE results.
This is where Ellesmere distinguishes itself. The College operates seven distinct sports academies: Swimming, Tennis, Cricket, Football, Golf, Rugby, and Shooting. Each offers high quality coaching, tailored training programmes, and competition across all three terms.
The Ellesmere College Swimming Academy (ECSA) caters for students from Year 5 to Year 13, combining sport and academic studies in a disciplined approach. The comprehensive structure accommodates athletes from county through to international level. The coach-to-athlete ratio operates at approximately 1:15, allowing individual focus and progression.
Head Coach Guy Worrow leads the Academy Coaching Team, supported by Performance Swimming Coaches Danny Proffitt and Mikey Hire. Strength and Conditioning Coach Darren Ruff ensures the gym programme complements pool training. In 2018, two Ellesmere College Sixth Form swimmers, Cassie Wild and Freya Anderson, competed at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Freya Anderson subsequently won Olympic gold.
The indoor 25-metre pool features anti-wave lane ropes and digital pace clocks. Training facilities meet the standards required for elite performance.
Six outdoor floodlit courts operate year-round, with four indoor courts available during non-term time. Tennis is integrated into the Physical Education curriculum with coaching accessible to all pupils regardless of current level.
The Golf Academy uses the school's own 9-hole course, established in 1930. The Shooting Club has both indoor and outdoor ranges with electronic targets, plus clay pigeon and archery facilities. Rugby, Cricket, and Football academies benefit from extensive grass pitches across the 160-acre campus.
Three academies (Swimming, Football, and Golf) charge additional fees beyond standard tuition. These charges are payable in full and not discounted by scholarship or bursary awards.
Ellesmere offers three boarding options: full boarding, weekly boarding, and flexi boarding. Weekly boarding serves families for whom distance makes daily travel impractical but who want their children home at weekends. The College is always flexible based on individual needs, whether weekly for geographical reasons or ad-hoc for academic or co-curricular commitments.
Boarders live in houses organised by age group: Junior, Middle, and Sixth Form. This allows progression through larger friendship groups and the development of independence appropriate to each stage. Over 40% of the community board, with this figure increasing as pupils reach examination years and seek greater independence.
Activities for boarders include sport and drama, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh, golf, games in the sports hall, working out in the gym or heated pool, evening debating groups, twilight catch-up lessons, and weekend shopping excursions. The community feel means boarders and day pupils mix readily.
Singing is an area of real excellence with a well-established choral tradition. The award-winning chamber and chapel choirs rehearse twice weekly, preparing repertoire for services, competitions, and concerts. The Ellesmere College Choral Society, founded in 1889, comprises around 70 singers performing a mixed repertoire from choral classics to popular music.
Instrumental ensembles include orchestra, lower school band, woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble, flute choir, percussion ensemble, string ensemble, and jazz band. Students tour abroad every other year, having performed at Notre Dame in Paris, St Peter's Basilica in Rome, and the Pantheon. UK tours include performances at St George's Chapel Windsor, Queens' College Oxford, and the V&A Museum London.
Multiple productions occur each term. The Senior School play is open to Years 11 and Sixth Form. The school tours productions to the USA biennially and participates in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. Students can pursue LAMDA graded examinations in acting, musical theatre, public speaking, and verse and prose, with advanced grades contributing up to 130 UCAS points.
Technical Theatre training develops skills in lighting, stage management, and production through the Tech Club. Media Studies covers film, television, advertising, and digital content, with students editing on Apple MacBooks and using professional cameras. The Annual Film Night showcases student work.
The Combined Cadet Force comprises Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force sections under the command of the Contingent Commander. Training takes place Thursday afternoons with camps and courses throughout the year.
Ellesmere is the largest single contributor in Shropshire to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Every student has the opportunity to participate, either directly or through the CCF. Fifteen current and former students received Gold Awards at Buckingham Palace in May 2022.
College-led projects include the Monduli Green Project, Green Team initiatives, and Arts Award programmes. Student-driven projects encompass an Indian school building project, marine conservation in Belize, homeless charity volunteering in Manchester, and the annual Snowdon Run.
From January 2025, fees increased by 15% to reflect the addition of VAT. Fees are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
School fees cover tuition, all accommodation and laundry for boarders, ordinary medical and nursing charges, school meals, Wi-Fi, all timetabled sports, the twice-yearly online College newsletter, and the annual online Ellesmerian magazine.
Day fees range from approximately £5,500 per term for Lower School to higher amounts for Senior School. Full boarding fees range from approximately £12,920 per term for Year 8 to around £14,020 for Sixth Form. Weekly boarding offers a lower rate, approximately £10,913 per term for Year 8.
Three sports academies (Swimming, Football, and Golf) charge additional fees beyond standard tuition. These are payable in full and not reduced by scholarship or bursary awards.
Bursaries are means-tested, with the school committed to an inclusive social mix. The College encourages all applicants to consider Ellesmere regardless of whether they think they can afford full fees. Financial assistance aims to make education affordable to families regardless of background.
For current fee schedules, contact the Registrar at registrar@ellesmere.com or telephone 01691 626510.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
Recent ISI inspections have identified concerns around welfare, health and safety, particularly relating to the swimming club. The September 2024 inspection found the school did not meet all required standards in ensuring a safe environment for pupils in some activities. A further Regulatory Compliance Inspection in March-April 2025 followed up on these concerns.
The College has issued statements addressing inspection findings and taken action to remedy deficiencies. Families considering Ellesmere should satisfy themselves that improvements have been embedded during their visit.
Pastoral structures include housemasters and housemistresses supported by strong pastoral teams. The aim is to create a safe and friendly environment where boarders can take on responsibility, learn independence, and develop teamwork skills.
Entry points exist at Year 3 (age 7), Year 7 (age 11), Year 9 (age 13), and Sixth Form (age 16). International students are welcomed, with interviews plus Maths and English examinations required.
Years 3-5 complete in-class tests. Years 6-9 must sit the College entrance examination, held on the first Saturday in February.
Common Entrance candidates are examined on dates set by the Independent Schools Examination Board.
No entrance examination is required. Students receive conditional offers based on their GCSE results. The International Baccalaureate requires a higher entry standard than A-levels given its demanding nature.
Academic scholarships are awarded based on entrance examination or Common Entrance Scholarship Examination performance. Sport, Music, and Performing Arts scholarships involve practical assessments plus supporting evidence and references.
Bursaries are administered by BAL, a specialist organisation. The process includes a telephone or Zoom interview with documentation submitted via secure portal. The School's Governors make final decisions. Demand is high; early application is recommended.
A non-returnable registration fee of £120 is payable when registering. A Guarantee Deposit of £200 secures the place once a formal offer is received; this is discounted from the first term's invoice. A Returnable Deposit is invoiced on the first term's account and refunded on the final invoice after the child leaves.
Open mornings typically run in October; the next is Saturday 11 October 2025 from 10am to 1pm. A Sixth Form Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 12 November 2025 from 6pm to 9pm. Individual tours are available throughout the Michaelmas Term.
The school day runs during term time with boarding activities extending into evenings and weekends. The campus is located in Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 9AB. The nearest railway station is Gobowen, approximately 4 miles away, with connections to Shrewsbury and the national network.
The 160-acre campus provides extensive outdoor space. Facilities include the 25-metre indoor pool, sports hall, fitness suite, weights room, squash courts, all-weather pitch, netball courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, 9-hole golf course, shooting ranges, sailing lake, and extensive grass pitches for cricket, rugby, football, and athletics.
Transport links require car access for most families, reflecting the rural location. Flexi and weekly boarding options help families manage travel logistics.
Inspection concerns. Recent ISI inspections identified areas where the school did not meet required standards, particularly around welfare, health and safety in the swimming club. The College has taken action to address findings, but families should discuss current safeguarding arrangements during visits and satisfy themselves that improvements are embedded.
Academic results context. GCSE rankings place Ellesmere in the lower 40% of schools in England. This reflects the school's broad intake and its willingness to accommodate student-athletes whose training schedules affect academic focus. Families seeking primarily academic outcomes may find other schools better suited.
Sports academy fees. Swimming, Football, and Golf academies charge additional fees on top of standard tuition. These are not discounted by scholarships or bursaries. Families should budget accordingly.
Rural location. The campus is beautiful but remote. Weekly and flexi boarding help manage logistics, but day pupils need reliable transport. The nearest train station is 4 miles away.
Ellesmere College offers a distinctive proposition: serious sport combined with genuine academic pathways in a traditional boarding setting. The seven sports academies, World Academy of Sport accreditation, and flexible boarding options create an environment where talented athletes can pursue excellence without sacrificing education. The IB pathway particularly suits student-athletes balancing training with study.
Best suited to families seeking: a co-educational boarding school with strong sporting culture; flexible boarding arrangements from weekly to full; the International Baccalaureate as an academic pathway; a community where sport and personal development matter as much as examination rankings.
The recent inspection concerns require careful consideration. Families should visit, ask direct questions about safeguarding improvements, and make their own assessment. For those whose children will thrive in an environment balancing sport, chapel, community, and scholarship, Ellesmere provides a setting where Old Ellesmerians like Bill Beaumont found the foundation for distinguished careers.
Ellesmere College holds World Academy of Sport accreditation, one of only 22 schools worldwide to receive this recognition. A-level results place it in the middle 35% of schools in England (1,358th), while GCSE results reflect its broad intake including student-athletes. Recent ISI inspections identified areas requiring improvement around welfare and safety; families should verify current arrangements during visits.
From January 2025, fees include VAT. Full boarding fees range from approximately £12,920 per term for Year 8 to around £14,020 for Sixth Form. Day fees are lower, starting at approximately £5,500 per term for Lower School. Swimming, Football, and Golf academies charge additional fees. Means-tested bursaries are available.
Yes. The IB Diploma was introduced in 2006 as an alternative to A-levels. In 2024, 53% of IB students achieved 30 or more points. The course suits students preferring breadth over specialisation and is particularly valued by student-athletes balancing training with study.
Seven academies operate: Swimming, Tennis, Cricket, Football, Golf, Rugby, and Shooting. The Swimming Academy has produced Commonwealth Games and Olympic athletes. Three academies (Swimming, Football, Golf) charge additional fees beyond standard tuition.
Yes. The College offers day, weekly, and full boarding options. Weekly boarding suits families for whom distance makes daily travel impractical but who want children home at weekends. Flexi boarding is also available for ad-hoc overnight stays.
No entrance examination is required for sixth form. Students receive conditional offers based on GCSE results. A-level candidates need minimum five grade 4/5 passes. The International Baccalaureate requires a higher entry standard.
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