Seventy-five acres of Suffolk countryside, a short walk from the sea, and a 125-year heritage of educating independent thinkers. Saint Felix School combines the intimacy of a small school with the breadth of an all-through education, welcoming children from age two through to eighteen. Founded in 1897 by the pioneering educator Margaret Isabella Gardiner with support from suffragist Millicent Fawcett, the school retains a distinctive character shaped by its founding vision: to treat pupils as sensible creatures capable of genuine intellectual engagement.
The school became fully co-educational in 2002 and now serves approximately 300 pupils across day and boarding places. Mr Matthew Oakman, who joined as Head in September 2023 following two decades at Wellington College, leads the school with a focus on combining academic rigour with extensive co-curricular opportunity. The February 2023 ISI inspection confirmed that all regulatory standards are met, with Good ratings for both academic achievement and personal development.
The setting shapes the experience. Saint Felix occupies a secure campus within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just minutes from the Suffolk Heritage Coast and the picturesque town of Southwold. This is not a school hemmed in by urban pressures; space and nature are woven into daily life through Forest School programmes and extensive outdoor pursuits.
The three boarding houses carry names that speak to the school's heritage. Fawcett House, newly renovated in 2024 for sixth form students, honours the suffragist who supported the school's founding. Gardiner and Somerville houses, connected but with separate wings for boys and girls, accommodate younger boarders in Years 6 to 11. The naming reflects a school conscious of its pioneering history in girls' education, now extending that legacy to all students.
The school's values centre on developing pupils who are curious, independent, aspirational, reflective and resilient. Class sizes remain small, allowing teachers to know each student as an individual. International students from fifteen to twenty countries add cultural richness, and the school takes pride in helping them feel at home quickly.
The Silcox Theatre, seating 150 and equipped with professional-standard lighting and sound, serves as the hub for drama productions and whole-school events. The building honours Lucy Mary Silcox, the second headmistress who led the school from 1909 and counted artists and writers among her friends. John Masefield wrote the school song for her; this is an institution where cultural connections run deep.
At GCSE, Saint Felix ranks 746th in England for outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it above the England average within the top 25% of schools. Locally, it ranks 1st among schools in the Southwold area. In 2024, 37% of grades achieved 9-7, with 21% at the top grades of 9-8. The school reported that 90.6% of pupils achieved five passes at grades 9-4 including Mathematics and English Language.
Results show continued improvement year on year. Perfect scores across Biology, Chemistry, French, Physics, and Textiles demonstrate particular strength in science and languages. The flexibility of the GCSE programme allows students to choose the number of subjects they study, with only Mathematics and English Language compulsory.
A-level performance sits within the middle range for England. The school ranks 1643rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in line with the middle 35% to 40% of schools. Locally in the Southwold area, it ranks 1st. In the latest results, 40% of grades achieved A*-B, with 15% at A*/A.
The 2024-2025 academic year showed improvement, with one in five grades earning A or A* distinction, 67% achieving B or above, and 87% reaching C or above. The school notes this represents significant progress from prior years.
Saint Felix offers approximately twenty A-level subjects, including several rarely found elsewhere. It is one of the few schools in the UK to offer Ancient History and Latin at A-level, making it a distinctive choice for students with classical interests. The school is the only institution in Suffolk to provide tailored Oxbridge preparation for Ancient History and Classics applicants. Additional offerings include Criminology as a Level 3 Diploma, introduced in 2024.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
39.71%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
36.52%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching follows a philosophy that encourages students to become independent learners. The ISI inspection noted that writing skills excel, supported by varied teaching approaches, and that pupils with special educational needs receive effective support, making progress in line with their peers.
Class sizes are small by independent school standards, particularly at sixth form level where subject groups can be intimate. This allows for personalised attention and flexible timetabling. Students typically take three A-levels, with the option to add an Extended Project Qualification for those wanting to develop independent research skills.
The curriculum at GCSE is notably flexible. Beyond the core of English and Mathematics, students can tailor their programme to their strengths and interests. Optional subjects span from Ancient History and Latin to Graphic Communication and Textile Design. This breadth is unusual for a school of this size and reflects a commitment to nurturing individual talents rather than forcing a standard mould.
Science teaching benefits from dedicated laboratory facilities, while languages are supported by specialist staff including native speakers for certain courses. The school offers Chinese at A-level for native speakers and provides EAL and IELTS preparation for international students.
In the 2023/24 cohort of 29 sixth form leavers, 45% progressed to university. Graduates have secured places at prestigious institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Bath, and UCL. International placements have taken students to Madrid, Amsterdam, and San Francisco.
Oxbridge applications receive dedicated support. In the measurement period, two students applied to Cambridge, with one receiving an offer and accepting a place. This success rate, while based on small numbers, reflects the school's commitment to supporting ambitious applications.
The school reports that 94% of sixth formers gain places at their first or second choice university, including Russell Group institutions. Approximately 78% secure their preferred destination outright. Beyond higher education, alumni have pursued diverse careers including military service, nursing, aviation, sports, and physiotherapy. In 2024, 28% of leavers moved directly into employment rather than further study.
Parents comparing progression options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page to view destination data alongside other schools in the area.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 50%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
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Offers
Saint Felix welcomes applications throughout the year, though spaces for September 2026 entry are already limited in some year groups. The school operates a direct admissions process rather than coordinating through local authority systems.
Entry points span the full age range: Nursery from age two, Pre-Prep from Reception, Prep School from Year 3, Senior School from Year 7, and Sixth Form from Year 12. Each transition point has its own assessment process. Senior school applicants sit entrance examinations in English and Mathematics, with Year 9 and 10 candidates adding a third subject of their choice. All candidates meet the Head for interview.
For sixth form entry, standard GCSE requirements apply to most subjects, though some have specific prerequisites. Mathematics A-level requires Grade 7 or above at GCSE Higher Tier; sciences generally need Grade 6 minimum; languages typically require Grade 5-6.
Registration requires a non-refundable fee of £100. Acceptance deposits are £500 for UK families, £1,500 for EU families, and £2,500 for non-EU families. International students requiring a Home Office visa pay an additional compliance management fee of £500 plus VAT.
Open mornings and individual visits are available by appointment. The admissions team can be contacted at admissions@stfelix.co.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1502 727048.
Mrs Alicia Mann, Assistant Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead, coordinates pastoral provision across the school. The ISI inspection confirmed that pupils feel secure and that the school maintains robust safeguarding measures.
Boarding houses are led by House Parents who live on campus full-time and develop individual relationships with each student. The Somerville and Gardiner House serves Years 6 to 11, with boys accommodated on the Gardiner side and girls on the Somerville side. Both wings share four social rooms downstairs where students can relax in the evenings. Fawcett House, renovated in 2024, provides a more mature environment for sixth formers preparing for university or the workplace.
The school's medical centre provides on-campus healthcare support. For international students, the combination of house parents, tutors, and dedicated support staff creates a structured network to help young people far from home feel welcomed and cared for.
Saint Felix is one of the leading schools in the UK for swimming, consistently ranked in the top five. The five-lane, 25-metre pool provides facilities from learn-to-swim sessions through to elite squad training. Head of Swimming Mr Kevin Ayers has developed swimmers from beginners to international junior level, with students winning Junior European medals, national championship titles, and setting national records.
Previous students have competed and medalled at the 2024 Paralympics, the World Short Course Championships, the Youth Olympics, and the Commonwealth Youth Games. Swimming scholarships offering up to 50% fee remission recognise exceptional talent in this area.
The 75-acre campus provides extensive outdoor facilities. The purpose-built sports hall accommodates four badminton courts and can convert for indoor football, netball, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. Two indoor cricket nets were designed and funded with support from the England Cricket Board. Outside, grass pitches serve rugby union, football, hockey, and cricket. Hard and soft tennis courts, a fully equipped gym and fitness studio, and a full equestrian cross-country course complete the sporting provision.
Drama productions take place in the Silcox Theatre, equipped with professional lighting and sound systems. The Drama Studio offers natural light for dance, drama, and martial arts. Music benefits from the Chapel's exceptional pianoforte and organ, with the space seating up to 200 for concerts and examinations.
Over forty co-curricular activities are available, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. The school's countryside location enables Forest School sessions and outdoor education. Evenings and weekends for boarders include organised trips to Norwich, Cambridge, and local attractions, alongside cinema outings and social activities.
Saint Felix operates termly billing with all fees now inclusive of VAT following the January 2025 changes. The school absorbed half the VAT increase, limiting the uplift to 10% rather than the full 20%.
Flexi-boarding options are available: two nights per week adds approximately £1,677 to day fees for seniors; three nights adds approximately £2,516. Ad hoc boarding is available at £72.50 per night.
Catering charges are embedded within fees, ranging from £351 per term for Pre-Prep to £490 for Senior and Sixth Form students.
Scholarships offering up to 50% tuition fee remission are available in Academic, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Swimming, and Visual Arts disciplines. Emerging Talent Awards provide similar support for Reception to Year 6 pupils showing exceptional promise. Scholarships are available at Year 7, Year 9, and Sixth Form entry.
Means-tested bursaries can supplement scholarship awards, assessed by an external agency. This combination means that talented students from families with limited means can access substantial fee support. Sibling discounts apply: 10% for the eldest child when two siblings attend, with an additional 5% for third and subsequent children.
Scholarships and bursaries do not apply to catering charges or boarding supplements.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
The school day follows standard independent school hours. Breakfast Club is available from 7:45am at £8.30 per session, with After School Club running until 6pm at £13.75 per session. Holiday Club services operate during main school holidays.
Transport options include school bus services costing £377 to £565 per term depending on route. The campus is accessible from major transport links, with Norwich, Cambridge, and London reachable by road or rail. Ipswich station, approximately 35 miles away, connects to London Liverpool Street.
The 75-acre site includes ample parking for visitors and parents attending events. The campus is secure, with sign-in required at Reception for all visitors.
A-level results context. While GCSE outcomes place the school above England average, A-level results sit closer to the middle nationally. Families focused primarily on academic league table positions may find stronger statistical performers elsewhere. However, the small cohort size means individual results can significantly affect percentages year to year.
Rural location. The school's position near Southwold offers a peaceful, secure environment with access to nature and coastline. This comes at the cost of urban amenities. Students seeking the buzz of city life or easy access to cultural institutions will need to travel to Norwich or beyond.
Boarding culture. With flexible boarding options from occasional nights to full boarding, the school attracts a mix of day pupils and boarders. Families should consider whether the boarding environment suits their child, particularly for sixth form students considering Fawcett House.
Small school dynamics. With around 300 pupils across all ages, Saint Felix offers a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. Some students thrive in this environment; others may prefer the anonymity and variety of larger schools. Peer groups at each year level are relatively small.
Saint Felix offers something distinctive: a small, nurturing school in an exceptional coastal setting, with a progressive heritage dating back 125 years. The swimming programme is genuinely elite, the classical languages provision rare, and the pastoral care enhanced by small class sizes and dedicated house staff.
Results are solid rather than stellar at A-level, though GCSE outcomes are strong and the school demonstrates year-on-year improvement. The flexible boarding arrangements and welcoming approach to international students make this accessible to families with varied needs.
Best suited to students who will flourish in a small community, appreciate outdoor space and proximity to nature, and value individual attention over competitive intensity. The school is particularly well-matched to committed swimmers, aspiring classicists, or families seeking boarding with flexibility rather than rigid traditional structures.
Saint Felix is a well-regarded independent school with a Good rating from ISI for both academic achievement and personal development. GCSE results place it in the top 25% of schools in England, ranking 746th overall. The school has featured in the Times and Telegraph lists of top independent schools. Its swimming programme ranks among the top five nationally, and it offers rare A-level subjects including Ancient History and Latin.
Day fees for 2025/26 range from £3,573 per term for Pre-Prep to £7,375 per term for Sixth Form. Full boarding fees are £12,994 per term for seniors and £13,165 for sixth formers. Weekly and flexi-boarding options are also available. All fees are now inclusive of VAT. Scholarships offering up to 50% fee remission and means-tested bursaries can significantly reduce costs for eligible families.
Yes, Saint Felix offers full boarding, weekly boarding, and flexible boarding arrangements. Three boarding houses accommodate students: Somerville and Gardiner House for Years 6-11, and the newly renovated Fawcett House for Sixth Form. Boarders enjoy organised evening and weekend activities including trips to Norwich and Cambridge. International students from fifteen to twenty countries are welcomed each year.
Sixth form applicants generally need strong GCSE results, with specific requirements varying by subject. Mathematics A-level requires Grade 7 or above at GCSE Higher Tier. Sciences typically need Grade 6 minimum. Languages usually require Grade 5-6. All candidates are interviewed by the Head. Applications are accepted year-round, though early application is advisable as spaces are limited.
The school is distinctive for offering Ancient History and Latin at A-level, subjects rarely available elsewhere. It is the only school in Suffolk providing tailored Oxbridge preparation for Classics applicants. The curriculum spans approximately twenty-five subjects at GCSE and twenty at A-level, including newer options like Criminology. Small class sizes allow for personalised teaching approaches.
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