Ancient Schools' group

Charterhouse is a co-educational independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated on a 250-acre campus in Godalming, Surrey. Founded in London in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, the school relocated to its present site in 1872, where it is housed in distinctive Gothic Revival buildings. The curriculum balances academic rigour with music, the arts, and sport. Notable facilities include the Queen’s Sports Centre and an art studio. Historically, Charterhouse is recognised for its significant role in the early development and codification of association football rules.

Christ's Hospital is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for students aged 11-18, situated on a 1,200-acre estate south of Horsham, West Sussex. Established in 1552, the school operates under a royal charter and is known for its charitable foundation. It claims to challenge inequality by providing a nurturing education to young people from diverse backgrounds, with a majority of students receiving means-tested bursaries. The curriculum aims to combine academic ambition with a focus on broader opportunities in sports, music, art, and drama.

Situated near Pulborough in West Sussex, Dorset House School is a co-educational preparatory school. Located in the village of Bury, the school offers day, flexi, and weekly boarding options. The school claims to provide a “high challenge, low threat” environment, often describing its ethos as a “greenhouse” rather than a “hot house” to foster pupil confidence. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on art, drama, and music, while the rural setting supports a range of outdoor learning and sporting activities.

Haileybury is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within a 500-acre campus in Hertford Heath. Established in 1862 on the site of the former East India College, the school is home to historic architecture, including a chapel by Arthur Blomfield and one of the largest academic quadrangles in the UK. Academically, the school offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a recently developed Science and Technology Centre, which supports an ethos focused on intellectual curiosity and global citizenship.

King’s School Rochester is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Founded in 604 AD, it is the world’s second oldest school and is situated within the historic Cathedral precinct, overlooking the River Medway. The school maintains a close relationship with Rochester Cathedral, which serves as its chapel. Housed in buildings ranging from the 16th-century Satis House to modern facilities, it emphasises well-rounded development through academic rigour and a diverse co-curricular programme, including a notable rowing tradition and an established choral heritage.

Kingston Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1561 by Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, the school's historic site features the 14th-century Lovekyn Chapel, the only remaining free-standing chantry chapel in England. The school provides a broad academic curriculum alongside a diverse co-curricular programme. Extensive sporting facilities are located nearby at Ditton Field, covering 22 acres. The school's ethos encourages pupils to be intellectually curious and socially responsible within a supportive community.

Latymer Upper School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Hammersmith on the banks of the River Thames. Founded in 1624 by Edward Latymer, the school features a mix of Victorian heritage buildings and modern facilities, including a performing arts centre and a riverside boathouse. The school is noted for its commitment to social diversity through a significant bursary programme. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside a broad extracurricular offering, while its location supports a long-standing rowing tradition and access to London’s wide-ranging cultural resources.

Located in Lewes, East Sussex, Lewes Old Grammar School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18. The school operates with dedicated departments for Junior, Senior, and Sixth Form students. It claims to provide a positive atmosphere where traditional values are blended with a contemporary approach to learning. The curriculum focuses on the personal development and individual talent of each student, offering an educational pathway that extends from the nursery years through to the Sixth Form in an urban setting.

Northwood College for Girls GDST is an independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Northwood, Greater London. Founded in 1878 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust since 2014, the school moved to its current site in 1892. Facilities include a performing arts centre with a recital hall, a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool, and specialist studios for dance and art. The school’s ethos focuses on character development and intellectual curiosity, aiming to nurture confident individuals within a supportive community.

Reigate Grammar School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located in Reigate, Surrey. Founded in 1675 by Henry Smith, the school occupies a site near the town centre and maintains extensive sports facilities at its Hartswood grounds. The campus features a blend of traditional architecture and contemporary additions, such as the Harrison Centre library and learning hub. The school provides a broad academic curriculum complemented by a diverse range of extracurricular activities in music, drama, and sport, focusing on the development of well-rounded individuals.

Royal Grammar School Guildford is a historic independent day school for boys aged 3 to 18, situated in the heart of Guildford, Surrey. Founded in 1509 and granted a royal charter in 1552, the school is centred around its landmark Tudor building, which houses a rare sixteenth-century chained library. The ethos emphasises academic boldness and scholarship, supported by extensive modern facilities and over 70 extracurricular clubs. While the main campus is located on the High Street, the school also utilises its 20-acre Bradstone Brook site for competitive rugby and cricket.

Sevenoaks School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated on a 100-acre campus in Kent, bordering Knole Park. Founded in 1432, it is one of the United Kingdom's oldest non-denominational schools. The school emphasises a global outlook and was a pioneer in adopting the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which it has offered exclusively since 1999. The site features a mix of historic buildings and contemporary facilities, including 'The Space', a purpose-built performing arts centre, and a state-of-the-art science and technology centre.