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Sidcot School

United Kingdom, Bristol

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £11,610 - 56,700
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 616
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1699
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC Qualification, IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Japanese
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Sidcot School is an independent, co‑educational day and boarding school on 150 acres of Somerset countryside. Founded in 1699 as a Quaker institution, it is rooted in community values and offers a modern, international curriculum. The school offers Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC qualifications and the IB Diploma, catering for ages 3 to 18. In the Junior School, Reception to Year 6 study French, Spanish and German, with additional language introductions during International Week of Languages. The Foundation Stage begins in Nursery, prioritising early literacy and numeracy. Sidcot combines strong academics with facilities including an Equine Centre, a 25‑metre pool, science labs, an Arts Centre and Drama studio, plus a Sixth Form Centre. The campus supports field trips, international exchanges and more than 100 extracurricular activities. Notable features include Forest School and Duke of Edinburgh's Award. About 500 pupils, including around 160 from over 30 countries, study here today.

Sidcot School, Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset, BS25 1PD

The Essentials

Sidcot School has 616 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset, BS25 1PD, England. The campus sits on a 150‑acre rural site in the Mendip Hills, with Bristol, Bath and London within easy reach. It is located on the A38, just south of Bristol International Airport, and is accessible via the M4/M5 networks.

Stages
Junior School (Pre‑School to Year 6, ages 3–11) and Senior School (Year 7 to Year 11) with Sixth Form (Year 12–13).

Type
Independent, co‑ed, day and boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Around 30 nationalities are represented in the international community.

Additional learning support
Learning Support is available; EAL support is provided and specialist tuition can be arranged.

Religious affiliation
Quaker

School day structure
Pre‑School morning 08:45–11:45; afternoon 12:45–15:45. Breakfast Club 07:45–08:30. After School Care offered with the first hour free until 16:30 and charges from 16:30–18:00. Senior Day includes supper if staying after school for activities and prep.

Bus service
The School operates 13 minibus routes across Bristol and Somerset; Year 3 and above may use the school buses, and junior pupils are escorted by bus drivers on arrival. Full bus routes and details are published; spaces are limited and interest should be registered with the school bus team.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available from Year 7 (Third Form) in the Senior School, continuing through Sixth Form. Full boarding, weekly boarding, and flexi (flexible) boarding are offered.

Uniform Requirement
The uniform is staged by school section. Junior School has its own uniform guidance; Senior School has separate Trouser Clothing, Skirt Clothing, and Sportswear guides; Sixth Form is more relaxed but formal business wear is expected on Mondays.

Food Options
The school provides varied, nutritious meals with fresh produce; vegetarian options are available; special dietary needs are accommodated; meals are served in the Refectory; boarding students receive three meals daily and have access to kitchens in the boarding houses; The Hub offers snacks and drinks.

House System
There are four boarding houses: Newcombe House, School House Girls, Wing House, and School House Boys. Lower Sixth share with one or two students; Upper Sixth typically have their own study space or bedroom, or may share; each house has a common room and a small kitchen; three meals per day are provided in the refectory.

Governance and Ownership
Sidcot School is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The Governors are the proprietors of the School and Trustees. The School has two wholly owned non-charitable subsidiaries, Sidcot Leisure Activities Limited and Sidcot International Limited, and a linked charitable trust, Sidcot School Trust.
Fees

Annual tuition at Sidcot School ranges from GBP 11,610 to GBP 56,700 for 2026/27.

Application, registration and deposits

- Registration (application) fee: £200 (Junior School and Pre‑School registration fee: £105). All registration fees are non‑refundable.
- Deposit to accept a place:
- Pre‑School, Junior and Senior day places: £1,000 (non‑refundable if a child leaves before the end of Reception).
- International boarding places: £5,000 to secure a place (or £1,000 where the student is staying for one term).
- Deposits are in addition to the termly fee and are refunded when the student finally leaves the school, once all fees and extras have been settled (subject to the non‑refund condition above).

Tuition fees — termly and annual (2026/27 academic year)

Note: the school publishes separate boarding rates for UK/Non‑Visa and Non‑UK/Child‑Visa students where indicated; some Sixth Form rates show a lower figure in brackets which reflects a loyalty discount for students who took the two‑year GCSE course at Sidcot and continue into Sixth Form. The figures below are inclusive of VAT and exclude lunch unless otherwise stated.

- Pre‑School (per day session): Total £70 per day broken down as:
- 08:45–11:45: £33.00
- Lunch: £4.00
- 12:45–15:45: £33.00.

- Junior School (Reception to Year 6):
- Reception to Year 2: £3,870 per term — £11,610 per year.
- Year 3 to Year 4: £4,870 per term — £14,610 per year.
- Year 5 to Year 6: £5,920 per term — £17,760 per year.

- Senior School (Day fees):
- Year 7 to Year 9 (day): £8,170 per term — £24,510 per year.
- Year 10 to Year 11 (day): £8,480 per term — £25,440 per year.

- Senior School (Boarding fees — termly and annual):
- Year 7 to Year 9 (UK / Non‑Visa): £14,390 per term — £43,170 per year.
- Year 7 to Year 9 (Non‑UK / Child‑Visa): £14,800 per term — £44,400 per year.
- Pre‑GCSE Pathway (Year 8–9) (UK / Non‑Visa): £16,350 per term — £49,050 per year.
- Pre‑GCSE Pathway (Year 8–9) (Non‑UK / Child‑Visa): £16,740 per term — £50,220 per year.
- Year 10 to Year 11 (UK / Non‑Visa): £15,660 per term — £46,980 per year.
- Year 10 to Year 11 (Non‑UK / Child‑Visa): £16,070 per term — £48,210 per year.
- Year 11 Pathway (UK / Non‑Visa): £18,510 per term — £55,530 per year.
- Year 11 Pathway (Non‑UK / Child‑Visa): £18,900 per term — £56,700 per year.

- Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13):
- Day (termly): £9,010 per term (bracketed figure £8,480 indicates the loyalty discounted rate where applicable) — annual: £27,030 (bracket £25,440).
- Boarding (termly): UK / Non‑Visa students: £17,260 per term — annual £51,780. Non‑UK / Child‑Visa students: £17,680 per term — annual £53,040. (Bracketed lower boarding figures shown in the fee sheet reflect the loyalty discount where applicable).

Meals, wraparound care and small routine charges

- Lunch is charged separately at £252 per term (Junior, Senior and Boarding arrangements list lunch as excluded from the standard fee and charged per term).
- After School Care (Junior School): free for the first hour until 16:30; thereafter charged at £2.60 per half hour until 18:00. Supper in the Refectory is available at £2.60. Breakfast Club costs £3.90 per session (07:45–08:30).
- Parental permission is sought for any trip or activity that incurs a charge of more than £25; smaller trip charges may be applied as invoiced extras.

Additional charges and optional services

- Specialist tuition (music, drama, sports, EAL, learning support): individual lesson rate £47.00 per 50‑minute lesson; group lesson rate £27.00 per hour (or per group session as shown). Charges for lessons are billed in arrears; missed lessons not notified will not be rescheduled.
- Flexi boarding: £64 per night (flexi/weekly boarding options are available subject to availability). Full boarding includes laundry, healthcare and most extracurricular activities; lunch remains charged separately.
- Examination charges: external exam board charges are passed to parents and billed as incurred; International Baccalaureate examination charges are approximately £750. University application fees are passed on where the school pays them on behalf of the student.
- A voluntary £10 donation to the Sidcot Community Parent and Teacher Association (SCPTA) is added to the Spring Term Extras invoice each year.

Discounts, notice and refund conditions

- Sibling discount: 10% discount applied where a family has one full fee‑paying sibling; the discount is deducted from the lowest fee at that time.
- Loyalty discount: where a pupil has taken the two‑year GCSE course at Sidcot and continues into Sixth Form, the Year 10/11 rate may continue to apply (the fee sheet shows the discounted figures in brackets where this applies).
- Notice and refunds:
- A full term's written notice, or a term's fee in lieu, is required before removal of a student other than at the end of the Upper Sixth Form year.
- No reduction in fees can be made for absence through illness. Insurance that covers fees is available to parents who wish to protect themselves against this eventuality.
- Deposits are refunded when the student finally leaves the school once all fees and extras have been settled, except where the deposit is stated as non‑refundable (for example if a child leaves before the end of Reception). Registration fees are non‑refundable.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The annual fee is split into three equal payments (one per term). Termly payments are payable one month in advance of the first day of each term. A full term's notice in writing, or a term's payment in lieu, is required for withdrawal except at the end of Upper Sixth.
- Monthly direct debit option: UK bank account holders may elect to pay by 10 monthly instalments by direct debit. Direct debit payments start on 1 August and continue on the first of each month until 1 May. The direct debit application deadline is 30 June; extras are invoiced separately and are payable in full.
- Overdue accounts: interest or a charge for debt collection may be added to overdue accounts. Acceptance of a place carries parental responsibility for payment of school fees for the period the student remains at the school (unless another party accepts that responsibility in writing).

Fee payment methods and bank details

- Payment methods accepted and options referenced in the fee documents include:
- Direct debit (monthly instalments for UK bank account holders),
- Debit card payments,
- Bank transfer (school bank details are provided in writing to parents and may be used for fee payments). Extras are invoiced separately from any direct debit arrangement. The school will notify in writing if bank details change. For administration or to set up direct debit the school's fees office should be contacted as indicated in the fee documents.

Key practical points for parents

- Lunch is charged per term at £252 and is not included in the standard day or boarding termly tuition fee. After‑school care and breakfast carry small per‑session charges as above. Flexi boarding is priced per night. Specialist lessons, exam charges and certain trips are invoiced as extras. All of the above are itemised in termly extras invoices.
Academics

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

Curriculum
The Junior School curriculum includes the formal requirements of the National Curriculum and a broad programme of enrichment activities. It is SATs-free; statutory SATS tests are not used. Reception to Year 6 learn French with specialist teachers, and Junior School pupils study three languages in total: French, Spanish and German, with additional introductions to Italian, Chinese and Russian during the International Week of Languages. ICT is used as a cross-curricular tool and there is a Forest School and environmental learning on Sidcot's campus. The Foundation Stage (Nursery to Reception) forms the start of the curriculum and emphasises early reading, writing and numeracy within the EYFS framework. The Junior School curriculum is designed to develop literacy, numeracy, information and communication technology, and creative and citizenship education, in line with Sidcot's values.

Student Teacher Ratio
Sidcot maintains small class sizes with a strong emphasis on personalised teaching and small staff-to-pupil ratios.

Exam Results
GCSE results for 2025 show 29% of grades were A* to A and 89% were A* to C; 72% of grades were grade 5 and above. Year 13 results for 2025 across GCSE, A Levels, BTEC and IB were A*-A 31.5%, A*-B 54.6% and A*-C 75%; 100% of the IB Diploma was passed and the top IB score was 43/45. One student was accepted at the University of Cambridge and 21% of leavers joined international universities, with 95% heading to UK institutions and 49% to Russell Group universities.

Higher Education Progression
Leavers' destinations for 2025 show 95% secured a place at UK institutions, with 49% choosing Russell Group universities and 21% studying at international universities. Destinations include a wide range of universities in the UK and abroad, such as Bath Spa University, Cardiff University, Loughborough University, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, University of York and the University of Amsterdam, among others. One student was accepted at Cambridge, illustrating the breadth of pathways pursued by Sidcot graduates.

Gifted and Talented
The Gifted and Talented programme selects students who excel academically in particular subjects and provides differentiated in-lesson work, enrichment tasks, and leadership opportunities in lessons. The school also offers tailored Scholarships with enrichment activities and specialist support in the awarded subject.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a clear structure for student support and wellbeing across the whole school. Tutors deliver thorough, up-to-date PSHE sessions every week, supporting emotional literacy, resilience and social development. Zones of Regulation provides a shared language to describe feelings across the school. The school places importance on honest communication, empathy and restorative justice to support students' social and emotional development. Rose Cottage is the Wellbeing Hub offering a reflective space with access to wellbeing support, including 1:1 sessions and tailored counselling when needed, staffed by a Wellbeing Lead and the health-centre team. The wellbeing team provides crisis support and resilience workshops as part of a broad approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Sidcot is a mainstream school with a supportive environment where teaching and learning, achievements, attitudes and wellbeing matter. The Learning Support Department and SENDCo coordinate provision, with day-to-day responsibility delegated to the SENDCo in conjunction with the Learning Support team. The policy aims to make reasonable adjustments to increase access to the curriculum and environment, ensure engagement in activities, and provide provision additional to and different from the differentiated curriculum. The school caters for mild to moderate needs including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, ADHD and some emotional needs; it is not a special school and cannot support severe or complex needs or extensive personal care. Differentiation is embedded in teaching, and the SENDCo works with external agencies when needed, with EHC plans used where appropriate.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Sidcot is a mainstream boarding and day school with language at the centre of learning. All teachers support EAL students and aim to provide social and emotional conditions for learning that value all languages and cultures. The majority of non-native speakers receive direct in-class EAL support, with group lessons or one-to-one tuition available depending on need and often at additional cost. In Years 9–11, EAL may substitute for one MFL option; students in Years 10–11 take group EAL toward IGCSE English as a Second Language, and Years 12–13 may pursue IELTS or related pathways; one-to-one lessons are timetabled as needed. The Head of EAL timetables one-to-one lessons at the start of the Autumn Term, and external exam entries are coordinated by the Examinations officer and Head of EAL.

Mental Wellbeing
The school recognises responsibilities to protect the mental health and wellbeing of students and aims to foster a culture of positive mental health and wellbeing with early intervention. The policy describes staff protocols and aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, provide guidance to staff and families, and reduce stigma through curriculum integration. The Whole School Context includes a Wellbeing Lead, a dedicated Wellbeing Hub, health-centre support, and trauma-informed PSHE and resilience programming; there are zones of regulation and school-wide mental health initiatives. PSHE programs cover health and wellbeing topics such as Healthy Body, Healthy Mind and Coping with Change. The school offers a counselling service, Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) provision, Take Ten and Talking Sticks in the Junior School, and a Health Centre to support students' mental and emotional health.

Safeguarding
The Designated Safeguarding Lead for the whole school is Mr Samuel Drew, Deputy Head (Pastoral), with Deputy Safeguarding Leads in the Senior and Junior Schools and a Digital Safety Lead; a safeguarding team provides cross-school support. The whole school staff undergo annual safeguarding training and follow a Child Protection and Safeguarding policy updated to reflect current guidance such as KCSiE; concerns are discussed in weekly safeguarding meetings and through tutor time and PSHE. When a serious safeguarding or child protection concern is raised, the DSL and safeguarding team inform relevant parties, including external agencies such as social services and the Police. Contact details for the DSL and DDSLs are published for accessibility.
Parent Experience

History
Sidcot School began in 1699 when a Quaker school was opened in Sithcott by Headmaster William Jenkins. It moved briefly to nearby Yatton in the eighteenth century and reopened in 1808 in the current main building, welcoming both boys and girls and becoming one of the first co-educational schools in the UK; it was not until the late nineteenth century that pupils were taught together across the whole school. From nine pupils in 1808, Sidcot is now home to over 500 pupils, including around 160 students from over 30 countries. The 160-acre site is equipped with dedicated centres for sport, arts, media and music.

Community
Sidcot is rooted in Quaker heritage, with truth, equality, peace and sustainability at the heart of school life. The Sidcot Learning Wheel binds the community with values such as Respect, Integrity, Resilience, Engagement and Kindness. The school is culturally diverse, with students from many nationalities and backgrounds and it celebrates a wide range of festivals and traditions. International Languages Week and a languages program in the Junior School bring languages and cultures into daily life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Sidcot Community Parent and Teacher Association (SCPTA) supports school initiatives. A voluntary £10 donation to the SCPTA fund is added to Spring Term extras invoices to support its initiatives. SCPTA funds support a wide range of school activities and events across the curriculum, sports, arts and campus life. Volunteering is encouraged, with policies allowing parent helpers to assist with activities. SCPTA activities include events such as the Summer Festival. Details about SCPTA involvement and administration are published in Sidcot's handbooks and parent information pages.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Sidcot occupies 150 acres of countryside. It has modern and inspiring facilities, including an Equine Centre, a swimming pool, and a dedicated Forest School area. The campus also features recently renovated science laboratories, a Sixth Form Centre, an Arts Centre and a Drama studio.

Sports Facilities
Sidcot Sports Centre includes a 25m indoor swimming pool, a sports hall with sprung floor, a dance studio, and a multi-gym. There are four tennis courts and extensive playing fields. A full-size hockey all-weather pitch and a rugby/football training pitch are available. A dedicated Equestrian Centre is on site.

Academic Facilities
Recently renovated science laboratories support STEM learning. A Sixth Form Centre provides dedicated spaces for older students. An Arts Centre and a Drama studio support creative subjects. Languages in Junior School include French, Spanish and German.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Sidcot offers over 100 extracurricular activities, ranging from archery to trampolining, maths club to beekeeping. Activities run at lunchtime, after school, after tea, and into the evening, as well as at weekends. There are opportunities beyond the classroom, including field trips, gallery and museum visits, international exchanges, music tours and lectures. The Senior School includes co-curricular activities and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Sidcot offers a wide range of academic enrichment. Years 7-11 can apply for the Lead Learner Programme in up to two subjects, enabling deeper study and acting as ambassadors for their chosen subjects. Students participate in external competitions, represent their subject in the Academic Enrichment Showcase held in June, and organise events to promote their subject to the wider school community, such as International Languages Week. In the Sixth Form, students can become Subject Captains, work with subject mentors, take part in conferences and competitions, and help promote their subject through enrichment activities.

Arts & Creative
Sidcot Creative Arts Centre bridges traditional genres with the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities for fine art, music, drama, sculpture, photography and digital media. The music school has a dedicated performance hall, practice rooms, a recording studio and a music technology suite. Drama provides opportunities to work on theatre, radio and film productions, with regular school performances and in-school workshops. The Arts also offer Open Studios, specialist workshops, leadership opportunities, masterclasses from visiting artists, and trips to galleries and cities such as London and New York.

Cultural & Language
International Languages Week is organised as part of the academic enrichment programme. The school runs a broad languages and cultural programme through enrichment activities and subjects, including languages-focused events. Language-related opportunities appear in the Academic Enrichment framework, with activities such as Languages Week and, for senior students, initiatives like Debating Club and Model United Nations.

Social & Hobbies
Sidcot offers a broad menu of lunchtime and after-school clubs across the Senior School, including Mindfulness, Choir, Chess, Photography, Drama, Lego, Street Dance and Board Games. The Senior Activities list features numerous clubs and activities, from Open Art Studio to Kayaking, Choirs and Sports clubs. There are extensive indoor and outdoor options, designed to appeal to a wide range of interests and talents.

Community & Service
Working for the community is part of Sidcot's Quaker values, with students organising charity events for Red Nose Day, Children in Need, Macmillan and local charities. The school also has links with local community groups, charities and businesses, reflecting its community-facing ethos.

Leadership & Professional
The Programme of Activities for Sidcot Students (PASS) is designed to develop leadership skills and to foster teamwork, wellbeing and resilience. In Years 7-11, students can join the Lead Learner Programme in up to two subjects, serving as subject ambassadors, while in Sixth Form, students can become Subject Captains, work with mentors, attend conferences and competitions, and promote their subject through enrichment activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Outdoor learning is a central feature, with many students taking part in Duke of Edinburgh's Award schemes and outdoor adventures. Junior School activities include Forest School, equestrian facilities with riding lessons, and a focus on mindfulness and wellbeing. The senior offering includes a 25-metre pool, a multi-gym and a sports hall, and mindfulness and wellness activities are integrated into the programme.
Languages

Language Provision
All Sidcot students learn at least one language other than their mother tongue in Years 7–9 and can continue to GCSE level; French begins in Year 7 and students choose German or Spanish in Year 8, with GCSE, IB and A‑Level options in French, German and Spanish. The school also offers Italian and German Language A at IB, and Ab initio Spanish within the IB programme. In Junior School, French, Spanish and German are taught; Italian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and Russian are introduced during International Week of Languages. EAL support is provided for international students, with tailored lessons and occasional EAL-based substitution for a second language in Years 8–9.

Immersion Programs
Junior Pathway – an immersion programme for Year 9: Students whose level of English indicates they would need more than two individual lessons per week will be offered a tailored programme to support learning across the curriculum; they transfer to the mainstream year group when ready. Summer Immersion Programme (age 12-14) gives international students a taste of life as a UK boarder, with bespoke EAL support and English, Maths and other subjects taught alongside UK students.
Admissions

Admissions
1. The school invites prospective parents to contact the Admissions Team to ask questions and arrange a visit. The team welcomes inquiries and will guide applicants through the application process. A visit provides an opportunity to see the campus and meet staff and pupils. 2. The school does not use Common Entrance Examinations to admit pupils. From Year 7 upwards, applicants sit a Maths and English assessment to gauge current ability; these assessments are not pass or fail. The results help determine suitability for admission and inform the next steps in the process. 3. International applicants follow a slightly different process. An assessment in English and Maths is required before joining the school. An international agent may register interest with the Admissions Team, and reports from the pupil's most recent school are used to inform decisions. 4. Most pupils join at the start of the school year in September. The school can admit pupils throughout the year if there are places available in the relevant year group. 5. After assessment, offers are made where appropriate. Families complete the admissions process before joining the School, following the Joining Information guidance on next steps for enrollment.

Scholarships
Sidcot Scholarships are available for new students and entitle recipients to a 10% reduction in tuition fees. Scholarship students engage in tailored enrichment activities and receive extra support in their awarded subject, with staff who are experts in their field supporting their development. Scholarship students are ambassadors of Sidcot who share enthusiasm for their subject and encourage fellow pupils to participate. For September 2027, Scholarship applications are invited; deadlines are 15 October 2026 for Sixth Form entrants (Year 12) and 7 December 2026 for Senior School entrants (Years 7, 9 and 10).
School Events
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