Leweston School Review 2026: Where Academic Ambition Meets Community Spirit

In 1891, the Sisters of Christian Instruction travelled from Belgium to establish St Antony's School in Sherborne, placing academic excellence and spiritual formation at the heart of their mission. A century later, the school relocated to Leweston Manor, a fine Palladian manor house built in the late 18th century, where it has flourished across 46 acres of Dorset parkland. Today, Leweston School stands as one of the South West's most vibrant independent schools, serving approximately 610 pupils from age two through to eighteen. The transition to full co-education in 2018 brought boys into the Senior School for the first time, and the school has grown markedly since, with substantial recent investments including a new Music School, Padua Hall, and a state-of-the-art Equestrian Centre. The school maintains strong Catholic values while welcoming families of all faiths. For parents seeking a genuinely inclusive all-through education where academic rigour coexists with genuine community feeling, Leweston merits serious consideration.

Leweston has the rare quality of feeling simultaneously traditional and progressive. Walk through the gates and the atmosphere is purposeful but unhurried; you notice friendly, unaffected students moving between lessons, many greeting staff by name. The Palladian main building with its Art Deco interior remains the heart of school life, yet the campus has evolved considerably. The Grade I listed Trinity Chapel, built in 1616 by Sir John Fitzjames, stands as a tangible reminder of the school's deep historical roots, its 17th-century interior still used for services and prayer.

Under the leadership of Headmaster John Paget-Tomlinson since 2020, the school has articulated a philosophy that genuinely permeates daily life. Rather than pursuing achievement as an end in itself, Leweston frames success as a journey of self-discovery. This is not mere marketing language; it shapes everything from how house points are awarded (effort celebrated equally with achievement) to how transition is managed. The integration of day and boarding pupils is seamless, accomplished through a deliberate architectural decision to place boarding houses within the main building so academic life happens "downstairs" and family life "upstairs." This ensures that all pupils spend their whole school day together, creating an unusually cohesive community for an all-through school.

The Catholic ethos is gentle rather than prescriptive. Weekly Mass is central to school life, the Prep's Chapel Choir draws from Years 5 and 6, and Religious Studies forms part of the curriculum, but families of other faiths are genuinely welcomed. The school's stated motto, "Rejoice and Do Well," captures something authentic about its culture: achievement matters, but so does kindness, resilience, and discovering who you are. The facilities reflect this balance between aspiration and inclusivity. The recently opened Music School in the Manor House, with its ensemble room, recording studio, and multiple practice spaces, serves every student from those learning their first recorder to those preparing for conservatoire auditions.

GCSE Performance

At GCSE, Leweston's results sit in the middle tier in England. The school's Attainment 8 score of 46.1 is marginally above the England average of 45.9, placing it soundly in line with national performance. The school ranks 2,638th in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the national typical band (FindMySchool ranking), sitting at the 57th percentile. Locally, it ranks 4th among Dorset schools, a solid position that reflects its broad appeal.

The English Baccalaureate average point score stands at 4.06, very slightly below the England average of 4.08, indicating that while subject breadth is prioritised, the school does not dominate this particular metric. This reflects the school's philosophy: the curriculum is broad by design, offering flexibility rather than prescriptive pathway structures. The flexibility allows sixth formers to select from a wide range of options without being confined to rigid subject blocks.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form is where Leweston's academic confidence becomes more apparent. At A-level, 51% of grades achieved A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%, demonstrating clear above-average performance. The school ranks 889th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it at the 33rd percentile and again in the national typical band. However, this positioning masks genuine strength at the top of the distribution. The combination of A* grades (11%) and A grades (17%) creates a cohort where nearly one-quarter of entries hit the highest grades. With over 25 students progressing to university annually and significant numbers securing places at Russell Group institutions, the sixth form operates as a genuine engine of educational progression.

Teaching at Leweston reflects the school's all-through structure. From Reception onwards, pupils encounter specialist teachers in music, art, and languages, a luxury many primary schools cannot afford. In the Prep, the curriculum blends traditional academic subjects with enhanced provision in performing arts, languages from Reception, and Forest School experiences. The use of "focus projects" that thread literacy and numeracy through thematic work develops genuine intellectual engagement rather than compartmentalised learning.

In the Senior School, the curriculum design prioritises flexibility. Rather than rigid option blocks at GCSE and A-level, the school actively works to accommodate individual subject selections. This student-centred approach requires sophisticated timetabling but reflects genuine commitment to personalised learning. Class sizes remain reasonable, with setting in mathematics from Year 4 through the school allowing targeted support. The Sixth Form Centre, a modern dedicated space, signals that the transition to independent study is supported by excellent facilities and experienced staff.

Teaching staff include musicians trained at Royal College and Guildhall, artists with exhibition histories, and linguists with university research credentials. The department structure encourages collaboration; music and drama departments work closely on musical theatre productions, science departments deliver to groups of varying sizes, and curriculum enrichment is explicit. Individual progress is tracked carefully, and support for students who struggle keeps pace with stretching provision for the highly able.

Sixth Form Leavers

In the 2023-24 leavers cohort, 32% of Sixth Form leavers progressed to university, while 24% entered employment. The relatively modest university figure reflects the school's non-selective intake at earlier stages; students with a range of abilities progress to Sixth Form, and many choose alternative routes including apprenticeships and employment pathways. For those pursuing higher education, destinations are encouraging. Popular universities include Exeter, UCL, Cardiff, and Reading, with the school providing dedicated support for competitive applications.

The school reports 1 Oxbridge acceptance in 2024 (from 8 applications, representing a 13% success rate). While this is not an exceptional figure, it reflects the genuine accessibility of the school rather than selective concentration. A small number of students secure places at medical schools annually, a realistic indicator of academic rigour rather than a marketing claim.

Boarding is integral to Leweston's identity. The school maintains four strategically named boarding houses: Martha (girls Years 4-8), Cecilia (girls Years 9-10), Eleanor (girls Years 11-13), and Antony (boys Years 4-13). The naming reflects the school's Catholic heritage and historical continuity. Martha's emblem is a dolphin, drawn from the coat of arms of John Fitzjames, who inherited Leweston Manor; Cecilia, the patron saint of music, uses an anchor symbolising hope and steadfastness, a symbol found on the property itself since the Royal Navy's requisition during World War II.

What distinguishes Leweston's boarding is its scale and integration. Rather than isolated boarding houses, pupils live within the main building, creating a genuine community. Younger boarders (Years 9-10) occupy spacious dormitories of four or five, each with their own bed and access to well-equipped common rooms. Evening study occurs in the school library, maintaining separation between academic and residential life. Older students (Year 11 and Sixth Form) enjoy individual study bedrooms and access to common room kitchens where laundry and independent living skills develop naturally.

The flexibility of boarding options reflects modern family needs. Flexi-boarding allows students to board selected nights; weekly boarding (5 nights) provides structure whilst maintaining family contact; full boarding suits those requiring total immersion or living at distance. The B&B option permits occasional boarding for competition travel or specific circumstances. School fees reflect this positioning: Year 7-8 full boarders pay £12,360 per term, weekly boarders £10,664, and day pupils £7,611. For Years 9-11, fees rise to £13,722 full boarding and £11,807 weekly. Sixth Form fees remain steady at the Year 9-11 full boarding level, offering value for older students.

Military families receive particular support through a long-standing commitment to the forces community. Discounted boarding fees apply to families in receipt of the MOD Continuity of Education Allowance, with families expected to fund a minimum 10% of fees as required by the MOD. This targeted support acknowledges the specific challenges of service family mobility.

Leweston's extracurricular provision stands as one of its genuine strengths. The school rejects the generic "wide range of activities" descriptor in favour of specific, ambitious programmes across multiple pillars.

Music: A Special Place

Music holds a genuinely special position at Leweston, permeating all aspects of school life from Reception onwards. Weekly music lessons with the Head of Music begin in Reception; individual instrumental lessons are available from Year 2. The new Music School, opened in 2019 in the Manor House, provides an ensemble room, two music classrooms, multiple instrument teaching spaces, dedicated GCSE and A-Level workspaces, and a state-of-the-art recording studio equipped for professional production.

The instrumental teaching staff combine visiting specialists in voice, piano, organ, woodwind, strings, brass, and percussion. The department boasts an outstanding record in Associated Board and Trinity College examinations up to Diploma level. Alumni progress to conservatoires including Royal College of Music, Guildhall, and the Sorbonne, as well as leading university music departments at Kings College London and Royal Holloway.

Ensemble participation is extensive and genuinely popular. The Prep's Chapel Choir (Years 5-6) performs weekly Mass; the junior choir Cantemus includes all Year 7-8 singers and has won external awards; the prestigious Schola Cantorum accepts auditionees from Year 9 and above and performs at festivals, concerts, and services in England and internationally. The Jazz Band, Baroque Group, String Ensembles, Flute Group, Recorder Consort, Worship Band, and Training Orchestra provide pathways at different levels. Most recently, the school launched a Community Orchestra inviting pupils, parents, alumni, and local friends to participate weekly.

Musical theatre is a major part of creative life. Recent productions have included "9 to 5" and "Mary Poppins," with multiple performance venues on campus. The Choral Society draws together students, staff, parents, and community members for biennial performances of major choral works with professional orchestras and soloists.

Drama and Performing Arts

Drama permeates all ages. All Pre-Prep pupils participate in the annual Nativity performed in the main School Theatre; Prep pupils produce a summer term play. The school runs multiple productions annually: the whole-school play or musical (recent years featured "Les Misérables"), a sixth form drama project integrated with A-Level Theatre Studies, and a junior play. House plays occur throughout the year, alongside numerous assembly performances. Opportunities for technical theatre, costume design, and stage management develop cross-curricular skills.

LAMDA classes in Speech and Drama are available individually and in groups from Prep onwards, with pupils prepared for examinations up to Grade 8. The language and confidence acquired through LAMDA often transforms quieter students, an impact parents and teachers regularly observe.

The Music and Drama Pathways programme identifies pupils with passion for performance and provides mentoring, specialist rehearsal spaces, masterclasses, and leadership opportunities. Scholars in Music and Drama receive fee remission and expected to mentor younger pupils and serve as departmental ambassadors. The pathways have produced record-breaking results in recent years, with Leweston's rock band "The Lites" winning the national title for the second consecutive year.

Art and Design

The Art and Design Centre, opened by the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk in 1992, houses two fine art studios, two Sixth Form studios, a pottery workshop, a creative computer suite, a darkroom, a sewing room, and a design studio. From Reception through to Year 6, all pupils receive art and design teaching. From Year 4, specialist Fine Art teachers provide weekly lessons alongside Design Technology and Home Economics taught through a carousel system.

The department encourages students to explore a range of disciplines — from Fine Art and Photography to Graphic Design, Ceramics, 3D Design, and Fashion & Textiles. Art scholarships are awarded at Year 7, Year 9, and Sixth Form entry. The school was shortlisted for the TES Independent School of the Year award in 2019 in the Creative Arts category, and in November 2024 was named finalist for the ISA Fine Art and Design Excellence Award.

Modern Pentathlon and Equestrian Excellence

Leweston maintains significant distinction in two Olympic-adjacent sports. As an official Pentathlon GB Training and Talent Hub, the school develops athletes across modern pentathlon's five disciplines: fencing, swimming, running, shooting, and riding. The newly remodelled outdoor pool is heated, covered, and operational year-round; the equestrian facilities are state-of-the-art; and the school regularly sends students to national and international competition.

The Leweston Chedington Riding Academy is a marked recent development. Housed within the school's 50-acre estate, it provides 20 stables, a flood-lit arena, and dedicated classroom. With links to the leading Chedington Equestrian facility (home to Olympic competitors), pupils have invitation-only access to elite training facilities including dressage arenas, indoor schools, and cross-country schooling fields. The Equestrian team are NSEA Regional Points League winners for the sixth consecutive year. BTEC Equine Management qualifications are available, opening higher education and industry pathways.

The boarding structure accommodates equestrian commitment. Riders can board one, two, three, or five nights weekly on a regular schedule, or full-time, with flexible B&B options available for competition demands. This integration of boarding flexibility with equestrian pursuit is rare and particularly appealing to families where horses are central to their child's development.

Sports Facilities and Participation

Beyond the specialisms, sports provision is extensive. The school operates a covered 25m heated swimming pool, an all-weather hockey pitch converting to nine tennis courts seasonally, a sports hall functioning as indoor netball and hockey court with four badminton courts, and a conditioning suite with Technogym equipment. A recent Sports Day saw an incredible 25 school records broken, demonstrating both the competitive level and the culture of inclusive participation. The school's approach to Sports Day exemplifies its ethos; every pupil contributes to their House by competing in at least one track or field event, ensuring everyone's effort counts.

Rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball, badminton, swimming, cross-country running, athletics, and golf are all offered. House competitions maintain year-round engagement. Individual sports thrive alongside team provision.

Enrichment and Clubs

The enrichment programme extends far beyond standard offerings. Specific named clubs include the Debate Club, Art Academy, Gardening Club, Cookery Club, Comic Making Club, LAMDA classes, Ballet, Fencing, Tennis, Running Club, and many others. The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme flourishes, with Bronze enrollees from Year 9, Silver from Year 10, and Gold from Year 12. Award completion includes expeditions, skills development, physical challenge, and volunteering; the Dorset location provides excellent terrain for expeditions.

Sixth Form students engage the innovative LEaD (Leweston Enrichment and Development) programme designed to develop student leaders of the community. This encompasses leadership and responsibility through prefect roles, house captaincy, mentoring, community service (all Year 12 students participate in weekly visits to residential homes, elderly residents, local Primary Schools, and support services), and subject ambassadorships.

All Year 12 students participate in weekly community service; the programme includes visits to local residential homes, elderly residents, support for the Parish and local Primary schools, and visiting young mothers and children. The students host a tea party termly for those they have been involved with, a particularly popular and moving occasion.

Day fees for Years 7-8 stand at £7,611 per term (£22,833 annually); Years 9-11 are £8,155 per term (£24,465 annually); Sixth Form is £7,973 per term (£23,919 annually). Weekly boarding (5 nights) and full boarding (7 nights) attract substantial premiums: full boarding ranges from £12,360 (Years 7-8) to £13,722 (Years 9-13) per term. Flexi-boarding options are charged on a tiered basis, providing genuine flexibility for families juggling competing priorities.

The registration fee is £100 (Prep) or £120 (Senior). A deposit of £500 (UK and Europe) or £3,500 (worldwide) confirms acceptance. All fees include tuition, lunches and tea for day pupils, all meals for boarders, wrap-around care from 8:00am to 5:45pm, personal accident insurance, and many activities. Parents are notified of extras in advance; termly extras average £250. Payment flexibility includes monthly direct debit across 10 or 12 months interest-free, or 2% annual discount for payments prior to the Autumn term billing.

Sibling discounts apply from Year 1 onwards (excluding recipients of bursaries or fee remission): the youngest child receives 5% discount with two children, 10% with three, and 15% with four. Military families via the MOD CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) receive discounted full boarding fees.

Bursaries are means-tested reductions for families whose circumstances make fees otherwise unaffordable, typically 10-20% of current day fees. The school expects both parents to be in employment and education to be a financial priority before considering applications. All bursaries are subject to annual review; pupils must be registered to apply. Approximately 12-15% of pupils receive bursary support.

Scholarships are merit-based and available in Academic, Music, Drama, Art/Design, Sport, Equestrian, and Pentathlon disciplines at Year 7, Year 9, and Sixth Form entry. These typically offer 10-25% fee reduction and often combine with bursary support. Academic Scholarships go to the highest-performing candidate in the entrance assessment. Music candidates audition on two instruments plus sight-reading and aural tests. Drama candidates perform two contrasting extracts and discuss their experience. Scholars are expected to mentor younger pupils and serve as departmental ambassadors.

The school is selective at entry, though less competitive than many peers. Assessment at Prep and Senior entry evaluates core skills in mathematics and English, recognising that pupils may have studied different curricula or be at different stages developmentally. The school conducts Activity Days (typically January Saturdays) featuring team-building and group exercises followed by lunch. Waiting lists operate for certain year groups, particularly Years 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9, and the school recommends registration two years ahead of intended entry.

Registration reserves a place pending satisfaction of entry requirements and completion of admissions; it does not guarantee offer. As some year groups fill quickly, early registration is genuinely advised. The school conducts bespoke visits on normal teaching days rather than formal open days, permitting prospective families to observe actual school life. These visits include tours with current pupils, opportunity to meet staff and the Headmaster, and observation of lessons in progress.

For sixth form entry, pupils require GCSE grades appropriate to A-level study; the school assesses subject-specific readiness carefully. International pupils are welcomed and can apply for the Short Stay Programme (one term through one-and-a-half years), accessing mainstream lessons with EAL support and full integration into school life.

Pastoral care is emphasised throughout. In the Prep, class teachers know pupils intimately; the personalised approach carries through into the Senior School via form tutors and house staff. Boarding pupils particularly benefit from the Houseparent model; each boarding house has a dedicated Houseparent who understands students' academic and emotional needs.

The school employs counsellors; formal health and wellbeing support extends beyond what one observes at many schools. Behaviour is excellent and supportive rather than punitive. Mobile phones are managed through clear policies: Prep pupils cannot use phones during the day; Years 7-9 store phones in lockers until after registration through end of teaching; Year 10+ can carry phones but must put them away during lessons. This structured approach reduces distraction and encourages genuine classroom engagement.

The integration of day and boarding pupils supports emotional wellbeing. Boarders do not feel isolated or separated from the main school; they experience their entire day with day pupils, creating mutual understanding and friendship. Weekend activities and evening programmes keep boarders engaged without feeling overly structured; there is flexibility for relaxation, family contact, and independent choice.

Selective admissions and waiting lists. Entry is selective and certain year groups have waiting lists. Early registration is essential; families should not assume availability in their preferred year group.

Location and travel. While near Sherborne (a picturesque market town), the school sits in rural Dorset. For day pupils, bus routes exist but may require early starts for distant families. London is roughly a 2½-hour drive; direct train access via Sherborne railway station is available.

Catholic identity. The school's Catholic ethos is genuine and pervasive. While welcoming families of all faiths, weekly Mass is central to school life, and Religious Studies is part of the curriculum. Families uncomfortable with this integration should discuss openly during visits.

Boarding balance at younger ages. While flexible, boarding is encouraged and grows more popular as pupils move up. Younger day pupils may feel their peers are bonding through boarding experiences at weekends, though the school actively integrates day and boarders throughout the week. Families seeking exclusively day provision may find this cultural emphasis significant.

Financial aid limits. While bursaries exist, fee levels remain substantial. The 10-20% bursary typical aid may not reach families requiring more significant support.

Leweston School represents one of the more genuine independent school offerings, combining academic strength with authentic community feeling. The all-through structure allows coherent pastoral continuity; the boarding integration ensures day and boarder experience the same community; the specialist facilities (Pentathlon hub, equestrian centre, music school) provide genuine depth. The recent investments demonstrate confidence in the school's future direction.

The school is best suited to families seeking a genuinely inclusive education where academic rigour coexists with pastoral warmth, where boarding is viewed as an opportunity rather than a necessity, and where the Catholic values framework sits comfortably (or at least respectfully). Parents should visit during a normal teaching day to observe the atmosphere; the school's willingness to welcome bespoke visits reflects confidence in what actually happens rather than marketing presentation.

The Attainment 8 and A-level performance indicate solid academic provision rather than elite competitiveness, positioning the school strongly for families of able all-rounders rather than those pursuing maximum selectivity. The combination of breadth, pastoral care, and genuine community makes it a compelling choice for the "thinking parent" seeking more than league table position.