The CLEAR Learning Programme covers Confidence, Leadership, Engagement, Achievement, and Resilience, designed around how girls learn.
A leading UK independent boarding school for girls in Shropshire
Why this school
The CLEAR Learning Programme covers Confidence, Leadership, Engagement, Achievement, and Resilience, designed around how girls learn.
2025 A-Levels: 57% A*/A overall; 80% A*/A in Further Maths, Biology, and Chemistry; one third of leavers received.
The gymnastics team has won national championships multiple times; a graduate holds the title of British Equestrian Champion.
Adcote School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 12 to 18, set on a country estate in Little Ness, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Founded in 1907 by Amy Gough, the school occupies a Grade I listed building and has operated as a girls-only institution ever since. Around 250 pupils: small enough that teachers know each student, large enough to sustain a full curriculum. Adcote holds membership with the ISA, GSA, and BSA, and offers both day and full boarding places to UK and international students. Full boarding fees for Years 7–13 run to £45,000 per year (2025/26).
The school runs GCSEs and A-Levels across a broad subject range, with a particular emphasis on STEM. 2025 A-Level results placed 57% of grades at A* or A, with nearly 25% at A*. In Further Maths, Biology, and Chemistry combined, 80% of grades were A* or A. University outcomes reflect that: 93% of offers came from Russell Group universities, and one third of leavers received offers from a UK G5 institution.
The school’s own CLEAR Learning Programme — built around Confidence, Leadership, Engagement, Achievement, and Resilience — sits alongside the standard curriculum and is designed around how girls learn. Small class sizes allow teachers to adapt pace and approach at the individual level, rather than working to a class average.
A-Level students can access an Internship Programme that places them in professional settings relevant to their intended university subjects. A One-Year A-Level Fast Track Programme is also available for students joining at sixth form who need to compress their preparation timeline.
A-Level results
2025: 57% A*/A grades; nearly 25% at A*. STEM excellence: 80% of Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry grades at A*/A. 93% of university offers from Russell Group; one-third received offers from UK G5 universities.
Boarding is available to both UK and international students, with full boarding fees for KS3–KS5 at £45,000 per year (2025/26). With around 250 students across day and boarding, pastoral relationships develop across the full school community rather than within a single house. Weekend life is structured around a co-curricular programme covering more than 100 activities per week. The registration fee is £300 for domestic applicants; international applicants pay a £150 application fee ahead of full registration.
The co-curricular programme covers sport, performing arts, and a wide range of clubs. The gymnastics team has won national championships on multiple occasions. Equestrian sport is also offered on site, and an Adcote graduate holds the title of British Equestrian Champion. The Chamber Choir has won a national a cappella competition, and students have taken part in professional productions. Weekly sport options include horse riding, swimming, and gymnastics, with over 100 activities available across all year groups each week.
The school occupies a Grade I listed country house in Little Ness, a village roughly six miles north-west of Shrewsbury. The estate provides outdoor space for sport and equestrian activity alongside the main academic buildings. A historic building in a rural Shropshire setting gives the campus a character that differs markedly from urban or peri-urban independent schools.
The nearest major airport is Birmingham International, approximately 50 miles from the school. The drive typically takes around an hour, depending on traffic. Shrewsbury railway station is the closest mainline stop, with connections to Birmingham New Street and beyond.
Annual tuition
£54,000 per year · full boarding · Senior · Year 7-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | Year 3-6 | Day | — | £26,400 |
| Senior | Year 7-13 | Day | — | £32,400 |
| Junior | Year 3-6 | Full boarding | — | £48,000 |
| Senior | Year 7-13 | Full boarding | — | £54,000 |
Additional fees
Registration
£300
Birmingham International Airport — approx. 50 miles from Little Ness, Shropshire (approx. 1 hour by road)
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Adcote accepts girls from age 12 through to 18 (Years 7 to 13). Both day and full boarding places are available across that age range.
Full boarding fees for KS3–KS5 (Years 7–13) are £45,000 per year (2025/26). Day fees for the same year groups are £32,400 per year. A registration fee of £300 applies for UK applicants, and a £150 application fee applies for international applicants.
The school offers GCSEs and A-Levels. There is no IB Diploma or BTEC listed. A One-Year A-Level Fast Track Programme is available for students entering sixth form who need an accelerated route.
In 2025, 57% of A-Level grades were A* or A, with nearly 25% at A*. STEM performance was particularly strong: 80% of grades in Further Maths, Biology, and Chemistry were A* or A. 93% of university offers were from Russell Group institutions.
Yes. The school offers boarding places to international students alongside UK boarders. A separate international application fee of £150 applies. International fees are published via a downloadable PDF from the school’s admissions office.
CLEAR stands for Confidence, Leadership, Engagement, Achievement, and Resilience. It is a structured learning framework developed by Adcote and designed around the ways in which girls learn, running alongside the standard GCSE and A-Level curriculum.
Over 100 activities run each week, spanning sport, performing arts, and clubs. The gymnastics team competes nationally, the Chamber Choir has won a national a cappella competition, and equestrian sport is offered on site. Students in sixth form can also access an Internship Programme placing them in relevant professional environments.
Birmingham International Airport is the closest major airport, approximately 50 miles away. Shrewsbury railway station provides mainline connections to Birmingham New Street and the wider UK network.
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