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Bryanston School

United Kingdom, Dorset

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 813
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1928
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP), BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Bryanston School is a co-educational day and boarding school on a 400-acre campus beside River Stour in Dorset. It educates pupils aged 3 to 18 and offers a broad academic programme through Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, the IB Diploma and Cambridge Technicals, with the Bryanston Method at heart of curriculum. In Year 9, learners begin Method classes and work on a self-determined research project with tutor guidance, while the Sixth Form timetable reserves substantial independent study time. The school houses facilities for the arts, sciences and design: the Tom Wheare Music School, the Sanger Centre for Science & Mathematics, the Don Potter Art School, the Coade Hall Theatre and the Creative Centre. Outdoor education runs alongside sport and a High Performance Sports Programme, with a Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Ten Tors training and a Boathouse on River Stour. The result is an environment that supports exploration, creativity and development.

Bryanston, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0PX

The Essentials

Bryanston School has 813 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Bryanston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0PX; 400-acre site with a riverside location near Blandford Forum; accessible from surrounding towns and with on-site transport options including daily minibus routes and a coach service for international pupils.

Stages
Pre-Prep; Prep School; Senior School; Sixth Form.

Type
Co-educational day and boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
International pupils represent approximately 15% of total pupil numbers; pupils come from a broad range of nationalities; some British pupils have parents overseas and English language proficiency is required.

Additional learning support
Learning Support department offers assessment, IEPs and targeted help; SENDCo leads inclusive teaching and coordinates interventions; support across Pre-Prep, Prep, Years 9–11 and Sixth Form with small-group and one-to-one options.

School day structure
Day pupils begin in their houses and attend lessons and activities; day starts around 8:15am and ends around 6:00pm on weekdays; day pupils have a designated study area within their house; after-school events and weekend activities are available.

Bus service
Daily minibus routes: Route 1 (Sandbanks), Route 2 (Dorchester), Route 3 (Ringwood), Route 4 (Shaftesbury/Salisbury); booking via StudentSafe; standard cost per journey £8 (£12 if not booked in advance).
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Bryanston is a full boarding school with some day pupils. There are 12 boarding houses (five girls' houses, two junior boys' houses and five senior boys' houses); from September 2026 this will change to six senior boys' houses, five girls' houses and a prep school boarding house. Each boarding house is run by a House Parent, a Deputy House Parent, a Matron and two Resident staff; boarders eat main meals in the central dining hall, and day pupils are integrated into boarding life with no separate day house. Weekends come in three types: Whole School Weekends, Exeat Weekends and Open Weekends.

Uniform Requirement
There is a dress code governing appearance. School dress is worn from 8:30am and for specified occasions; the dress code emphasizes smart, businesslike appearance and is administered by the Head and Senior Deputy Head, with House Parents enforcing it in their houses. The dress regulations reference a Clothes List for specific items and include exclusions (e.g., no cargo or combat-style clothing, no shorts, no hoodies, no T-shirts worn as outer garments, no denim, etc.). Sixth Form has no uniform.

Food Options
Menus are curated to offer a diverse range, with options for meat, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan diets. All pupils and staff eat together in the dining hall, where menus include items such as stir fries, tortillas, omelettes and poke bowls alongside traditional dishes; a dedicated café serves items like pizzas and social space in the heart of the school, and the catering team accommodates dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, etc.).

House System
The house system is central to Bryanston life. There are 12 boarding houses (five girls' houses, two junior boys' houses and five senior boys' houses); day pupils are integrated into boarding houses and do not have a separate day house. Each house is led by a House Parent with a Deputy House Parent, a Matron and two Residents, and weekends feature house-based events and activities.

Governance and Ownership
Bryanston is governed by a Board of Governors; the Head and Chair of the Board of Governors are listed on the site. Bryanston Prep merged with Knighton House Prep (now Bryanston Prep) with effect from 1 September 2021.
Fees
Application and registration fees

- Senior School (Years 9–12) registration: non‑refundable £300.
- Sixth Form application: non‑refundable administration fee £300.
- Prep School (Nursery–Year 8) registration: non‑refundable £120.
- Acceptance deposit (Senior School): £2,200 payable on acceptance. Of this, £1,000 is credited to the pupil's first term fees and the remaining £1,200 is credited to the final leaver's bill; the acceptance deposit is non‑refundable if the place is not taken up. For parents resident outside the UK, an additional one‑term fee deposit is payable at acceptance.
- Acceptance deposit (Prep School): £420 payable on acceptance; parents resident outside the UK pay the £420 plus a one‑term fee deposit. The deposit is non‑refundable if the place is not taken up.

Tuition fees — Senior School (Years 9–12) — 2026/27

- Boarding (full boarding): £19,750 per term (equivalent to £59,250 per year).
- Day with Bed (flexi/part boarding — bed allocated in house): £16,195 per term (equivalent to £48,585 per year). Additional nights for Day with Bed pupils who stay overnight are charged at £74.53 per night.
- Day Only (no bed): £13,555 per term (equivalent to £40,665 per year).

Tuition fees — Prep School (termly, 2026/27)

- Nursery and Reception–Year 2 (per term / per session details for Nursery available): Reception–Year 2 (Day): £3,883 per term.
- Years 3–4: Day £5,704 per term; Boarding £9,650 per term.
- Year 5: Day £6,550 per term; Boarding £10,785 per term.
- Year 6: Day £6,785 per term; Boarding £10,785 per term.
- Years 7–8: Day £7,450 per term; Boarding £11,450 per term.
- Prep flexi‑boarding (per week): 1 night £67.08; 2 nights £130.81; 3 nights £191.18; 4 nights £248.20; 5 nights £305.21.
- Nursery session fees (per session / full day): Morning session (8:30–11:30) £23.63; Midday with hot lunch (11:30–12:30) £7.88; Afternoon session (12:30–15:30) £23.63; Full day (8:30–15:30) £55.13. (Early years funding may apply where eligible.)

What boarding fees include

- Boarding fees cover: tuition for the standard curriculum, use of school facilities, travel for most sports and games, personal accident insurance, meals, accommodation and laundry services. Day with Bed pupils who stay overnight incur the additional nightly charge noted above; Day Only pupils do not have breakfast or evening meals provided.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard payment timing: school fees are payable seven days before the start of each term by Direct Debit or bank transfer. Fee bills are published on the Parent Portal prior to payment due dates.
- Planned fee bill publication and payment due dates (example 2026/27 schedule): Autumn Term published by 14 August 2026, payment due 31 August 2026; Spring Term published by 22 December 2026, payment due 28 December 2026; Summer Term published by 7 April 2027, payment due 12 April 2027.
- Late payment charges: £40 per invoice for payments 7–14 days overdue; a further £40 for payments 15–28 days overdue; if a balance remains outstanding after 28 days, interest is charged at 5% above the Bank of England base rate.
- Bank details for UK payments and overseas payments (IBAN/BIC) are provided for bank transfers; parents are asked to ensure any bank charges are borne by the payer so the school receives the full amount. The school operates a Fees in Advance scheme (lump‑sum prepayment option).

Boarding‑related charges

- Additional night charge for Day with Bed pupils: £74.53 per night (Senior School, 2026/27).
- Prep flexi‑boarding nightly/week prices detailed above.

Other costs and typical extras (charged separately)

- iPad provision and charge: pupils are issued with an iPad, keyboard, cover and stylus; a Parent iPad Agreement applies and a charge of £100 per term is added to the bill (this includes AppleCare but not loss or non‑accidental damage cover).
- Individual music tuition: £397.50 per term per instrument (up to ~30 lessons a year); instrument hire and sheet music charged separately.
- Equestrian (when riding as a sport): £525 for ten lessons per term; horse livery example rate £285 per horse per week.
- Typical co‑curricular/recreational charges (examples): rowing £75–£125 per term, kayaking £59.50 per term, sailing ~£36 per term (2026/27 prices indicated as TBC for some items), squash/dance/sessional costs and Duke of Edinburgh expedition/registration charges. School trips, examinations, textbooks, art/DT materials and other course materials are charged separately.
- Personal expenditure that may appear on bills: school shop purchases (uniform, sports kit, stationery), transport to/from term, theatre tickets, school photographs, dry cleaning, damage charges, private medical treatment and transport for hospital visits. The campus operates cashless payments for on‑site spending and pupils should have a debit/prepaid card or digital payment method such as Apple Pay.
- Overseas pupils requiring a Child Student Visa incur a compliance fee of £600.

Refunds, deposits and notice

- Acceptance deposits are non‑refundable if the accepted place is not taken up or if the pupil is withdrawn after acceptance; for Senior School the acceptance deposit is applied as described above (credit to first term and final leaver's bill).
- A full term's written notice to the Head's Office is required to withdraw a pupil; failure to give the required notice will render the parent liable in accordance with the Parent Contract and Terms & Conditions. Example: to withdraw for September intake a notice deadline was stated as before the start of the preceding Summer Term (example date shown in the 2026/27 schedule).
- Fees are not normally reduced or refunded for absence (including illness); parents may opt into a Pupil Absence Insurance scheme which may provide reimbursement in specified circumstances.
- Refunds of payments by card or bank transfer are normally returned to the same account or card used for payment, subject to the School's anti‑money‑laundering and refund procedures.

Fee payment options and practical notes

- Primary methods for standard termly school fee payments: Direct Debit or bank transfer (UK sort code and account number provided; overseas payments by IBAN/BIC). Parents are asked to cover any bank charges so the school receives the full invoice amount. Fees in Advance (lump sum) is available as a prepayment option.
- On‑campus spending is cashless; pupils should use a debit card, prepaid card, or digital payment (e.g. Apple Pay). Holiday and short‑course bookings are paid via the course booking system and accept credit card, debit card and childcare vouchers for those bookings.

VAT and price notes

- Termly fees are quoted inclusive of VAT where indicated; the school applies VAT in accordance with HMRC rules introduced on 1 January 2025 and indicates where VAT is included or applied. Fees are reviewed periodically and may increase in accordance with the School's Terms & Conditions.
Academics

Bryanston School teaches Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP), BTEC Qualification for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Bryanston Method is the heart of the curriculum and is tailored to each pupil's strengths and interests. The curriculum is deliberately broad, emphasising independent study and creative thinking across subjects. In Year 9 (D) pupils begin with Method classes and work on a self-determined research project under tutor guidance, with weekly assignment periods. GCSE years offer a broad range of subjects within a flexible timetable, with ongoing support through one-to-one or small-group sessions. In the Sixth Form, pupils may choose between A Levels, the IB Diploma, Cambridge Technicals or a combined programme, with around 40% of the timetable devoted to independent study from the start.

Exam Results
Bryanston's 2026 A Level results show strong progression to university, with 91% of A2 pupils securing a university place of their choice and 83% achieving their first-choice destination. A Level grades were strong, with 66% of all A Level grades awarded A*-B, and the IB Diploma average reached 33.2 points. There were 123 university applications across the cohort.

Higher Education Progression
Bryanston offers strong pathways to higher education with high rates of progression to university. The Higher Education roadmap includes early lectures in Year 12, UCAS registration and interview preparation, and a Futures Fair that connects pupils with universities and career sectors. Pupils go on to study at a wide range of institutions in the UK and overseas.

Gifted and Talented
Bryanston recognises academically gifted pupils and provides scholarships and enrichment opportunities. Year 9 Scholarships are available for entry to Year 9, and Richard Hunter all-rounder scholarships reward talents in at least three areas (art, drama, music, sport) alongside strong academic potential; scholarships are complemented by academic enrichment and co-curricular programmes.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a strong focus on mental and emotional wellbeing for all pupils. A Mental and Emotional Health team, located within the Medical Centre, provides casual check-ins, counselling, and more specialised interventions. The team is trauma-informed and understands the impact of adverse childhood experiences. In boarding houses, House Parents and Matrons provide daily support, and tutors are assigned to every pupil with weekly one-to-one meetings to support personal development. The school works with parents through regular communication between House Parents and tutors. A confidential pupil reporting platform, Whisper, gives pupils a space to speak up.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Support department provides a multi-sensory approach to education and creates an inclusive environment for pupils to thrive. The SENDCo oversees provision and works with teachers to implement inclusive teaching practices. The Learning Support team comprises six teachers with dyslexia-specialist training and subject-specific expertise. Interventions take place in class and in the boarding house, including small-group sessions and targeted one-to-one support. Assessments at entry screen reading, writing and processing speed, with internal arrangements for access accommodations; the school also maintains a relationship with an educational assessor to provide full dyslexic reports. IEPs are created for pupils accessing direct learning support and progress is monitored termly; the school works with pupils, teachers and parents to maximise potential.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school has a Language Policy (EAL) and a Pupils with English-as an Additional Language Policy. The SENDCo has an EAL background and oversees EAL provision. The Learning Support department includes staff with EAL experience and trauma-informed background. Interventions are delivered in class and in small groups to support language development. Assessments screen reading, writing and language needs at the start of a pupil's time at Bryanston, and progress is monitored. The school works with families to support language development.

Mental Wellbeing
The school has a dedicated Mental and Emotional Health team located in the Medical Centre. Pupils can access casual check-ins, counselling and more specialised therapies. The team is trauma-informed and understands the impact of adverse childhood experiences on adolescence. House Parents and Matrons provide daily emotional support in every boarding house, and tutors meet pupils weekly for personal and emotional development. The wellbeing programme has been recognised with two national awards for wellbeing. The school works in partnership with parents to build a trusting relationship and maintains regular communication about each child's wellbeing.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is central to Bryanston's approach; safeguarding guidelines are understood by all staff and pupils. The Senior Deputy Head has overall responsibility for safeguarding, supported by a Safeguarding Governor and a safeguarding team of eight professionals. Policies and procedures are updated regularly and aligned with Independent School Standards Regulations and National Minimum Standards for Boarding. The school uses MyConcern for secure reporting and Whisper as a confidential pupil portal to raise concerns. The Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Procedures Policy are published on the Policies page. If there has been a substantiated allegation against a member of staff, the School will work with the LADO to determine improvements to safeguarding arrangements. The school adheres to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) standards and welcomes reports of harm or misconduct from any member of the community.
Parent Experience

History
Bryanston School was founded in 1928 by JG Jeffreys, an innovative Australian schoolmaster, on a site designed by Richard Norman Shaw. It began with seven teachers and 23 boys in the first term and adopted the Dalton Plan, combining classroom lessons with assignment work in subject rooms. The school's motto et nova et vetera reflects a blend of new and old approaches. A pioneering programme, Pioneering, was established in 1933 to foster practical training and community work; the first girls arrived in 1972, and the move to full co-education was completed under Reverend David Jones. The modern era saw the Sanger Centre opened in 2007, the Boathouse opened in 2012, and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form, with Bryanston merging with Knighton House in 2021 to form a through-school and Bryanston Prep using senior facilities.

Community
The Bryanston community has a long-standing tradition of charitable giving and outreach. Whole-school charity events take place on three weekends each year, with the Year 13 Charities Weekend as the largest of these events, coordinating fundraising and inviting parental participation. The Nepal Charities Fair is hosted each autumn term, with each house running stalls and a fireworks finale. Outdoor education and adventure are integral to Bryanston life, with opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Ten Tors Challenge.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Bryanston Parents' Association (BPA) is a community that supports school initiatives and strengthens connections between parents, families and the school. It funds projects each term to enhance pupils' learning and extra-curricular experiences, hosts parent workshops, and organizes social events to foster community. Contributions are charged to parents at £15 per term to support initiatives and engagement. BPA welcomes new members and provides an email to learn how to get involved.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Bryanston sits on a 400-acre campus beside the River Stour and houses a collection of specialist facilities. The Tom Wheare Music School, Sanger Centre for Science & Mathematics, Coade Hall Theatre, The Don Potter Art School, and the Creative Centre form key hubs for learning in the arts, sciences and design. The Technology Building, Edwin Evans Music Room and Languages Classrooms provide further dedicated spaces for academic subjects. For outdoors and adventure, there is a Climbing Tower & Outdoor Adventure area, a Manege indoor riding arena, an Equestrian Centre with outdoor arenas, and an All-Weather Arena. A private Boathouse on the River Stour supports rowing, while the Sports Centre, playing fields and River Courts anchor the school's athletic programme.

Sports Facilities
The sports provision includes a 25m pool on-site, 400 acres of grounds and 18 watt bikes as part of a full High Performance Sports Programme facility. The Rowing facilities feature a six-lane indoor swimming pool, two gyms, a spin/bike room, a 40m indoor sprint track and a private boathouse on the River Stour with a dedicated training area and rowing machines. The Equestrian Centre offers a 75m x 30m outdoor arena, a 30m x 40m outdoor school and a 20m x 40m indoor school with show jumps and portable XC fences. The All-Weather Arena, three sports halls, four squash courts, a spinning room and two dance studios are part of the Sports Centre, with additional facilities such as Manege and Indoor Riding School supporting riding and other activities. The campus also includes River Courts, tennis and netball facilities and extensive playing fields to support a breadth of sports.

Academic Facilities
Bryanston hosts the Sanger Centre for Science & Mathematics, The Tom Wheare Music School and The Don Potter Art School as central academic and arts hubs. The Creative Centre and Edwin Evans Music Room support music, drama and arts learning, while Languages Classrooms and the Technology Building serve language and technology subjects across the curriculum. Geddes Pavilion provides dedicated space for science subjects, alongside teaching facilities housed in the Main School Building and various academic blocks across the campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Outdoor Education offers the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Ten Tors adventure training, with Year 7–8 pupils taking part in climbing, canoeing, caving, bouldering, pool kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, navigation and orienteering. In Years 9–10, Adventure Training includes residential trips with activities such as climbing, canoeing, biking and coastal exploration. Kayaking is run on the River Stour (and in open-water sessions), with regular trips to Dartmoor for white-water kayaking. Rock climbing is supported by an outdoor climbing tower and an indoor bouldering wall, with trips to Portland and Dartmoor. Mountain biking uses school grounds trails and local routes, with additional expeditions and trips arranged as part of the Outdoor Education programme. Music, drama and the arts feature prominently through ensembles and productions, including choirs, orchestras and theatre performances.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school runs around 100 ECAs each term, spanning sports, arts, music and academic societies. Pupils can set up their own societies with staff and peer support. Sixth Formers participate in pioneering through the International Baccalaureate, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and leadership roles within ECAs. The annual ECA Fair introduces pupils to available activities and signs up for the coming year.

Arts & Creative
Art is part of the co-curricular programme, with pupils creating art around the school and in the local community. The school offers a Creative and Performing Arts strand as part of ECAs. ECAs include music and other arts activities.

Social & Hobbies
Weekends feature social activities such as mixing in the DJ booth, BRY.RADIO, concerts and theatre. There are social spaces including a bar and a central cafe, and house dinners are common. Pupils also participate in sport and outdoor activities such as rowing, canoeing, horse riding and skateboarding.

Community & Service
Charities and outreach are central to the co-curricular programme. Pioneering activities include Tuesday Club meeting local senior citizens, SEN swimming and Riding for the Disabled, and local primary schools volunteering as classroom assistants and climbing instructors. The Nepal Charities Fair is held annually and whole-school charity events take place three weekends a year. The A2 Charities Weekend is led by Year 13 pupils who organise fundraising activities for chosen charities.

Leadership & Professional
Sixth Formers engage in pioneering through the International Baccalaureate, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and by taking on leadership roles within ECAs. Pupils are encouraged to lead their own initiatives and projects within the ECA programme. This develops professional skills and leadership capabilities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Outdoor Education includes the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Ten Tors Challenge. BODY – Strength and Conditioning and Health & Wellbeing Programme are part of the High Performance Sports Programme, supported by sports psychology and academic coaching. Physical Education emphasises health and wellbeing as a through-line of sport. Over 80 per cent of pupils represent the school in at least one sport and participate in sport at least three times a week.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. Pupils learn French from Year 1, with a Latin and Spanish taster session at the end of Year 5 to prepare for starting a second language in Year 6. In the Senior School, all Year 9 pupils are taught French, German, Spanish and Latin; in the Sixth Form, French, German, Spanish and Latin can be studied at A Level, and the IB Diploma requires choosing Group 1 and Group 2 languages. EAL support is provided for international pupils, including mother-tongue assistance from language staff (French, German or Spanish) and Cambridge First Certificate preparation if requested; language enrichment includes regular language trips, a language library, and translation and essay competitions.
Reputation

Accreditations
The Heads' Conference (HMC) member, which forms part of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
Regularly inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
Admissions

Admissions
1) Enquiry. Families submit an enquiry form or contact the Admissions Team on 01258 484 633 to begin the process and receive information about the admissions journey. 2) Group Visit. The school hosts group visits with a personal tour of the campus, opportunities to meet academic staff, and a chance to hear from a senior member of the leadership team. 3) Discovery Day. Discovery Day is held for pupils in Year 5; places are limited and early booking is recommended; attendance does not require prior registration. 4) Registration. Complete the registration form with a £300 registration fee. 5) Assessment. Assessment for a Year 9 place can start when the child is in Year 6; the current school is contacted for a reference, a CAT4 assessment is arranged, and Year 6/7 pupils may be invited to Imagine Day; Year 8 pupils may be interviewed. 6) Imagine Day. Imagine Day is an afternoon of problem solving, communication games, puzzles and activities designed to show pupils at their best. 7) Offer & Acceptance. If a place is offered, an acceptance form is completed and a £2,200 deposit is paid; £1,000 is refunded against the first term's fees and the balance against the final term's fees. 8) Activities Day. Children in Years 7 and 8 who have confirmed places for Year 9 attend Activities Days to get to know peers and staff and to support tutor allocation. 9) Year 9 Scholarships. In Autumn term of Year 8, pupils can be considered for Year 9 Scholarships in various subjects; scholarship assessments take place in the first half of the Spring term and scholarships can carry up to 10% fee remission. 10) Familiarisation Day. Familiarisation Day is held in the Summer term of Year 8; pupils meet the House Parent and visit the boarding house they have been assigned. 11) Year 6/7 Offers. Firm offers can be made in Year 6 and Year 7 to provide certainty for the transition to Year 9.

Scholarships
The school offers scholarships with up to two awards per pupil. Awards range from honorary to a maximum of 10% of the fees. The remission may be enhanced by a means-tested bursary, and a bursary can stand alone or supplement scholarships. Year 9 scholarships and Sixth Form scholarships are available as part of the scholarships program. Scholars are ambassadors for their specialist area and the school, receive one-to-one mentoring, and have access to a range of activities and events to nurture their talents.
School Events
The school has not added events
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