One of England's few remaining full boarding schools, with pupils resident seven days a week across nine houses.
Premier co-educational full boarding school in northern England
Why this school
One of England's few remaining full boarding schools, with pupils resident seven days a week across nine houses.
Outdoor Pursuits Club runs climbing, fell walking, and mountain biking directly within the surrounding national park.
Founded in 1525, Sedbergh reaches its 500th anniversary in 2025, making it one of England's oldest independent schools.
Sedbergh School was founded in 1525 and marks its 500th anniversary in 2025, making it one of the oldest independent schools in England. The school sits in the market town of Sedbergh, Cumbria, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and within easy reach of the Lake District. That setting shapes much of school life beyond the classroom. Sedbergh is accredited by HMC, IAPS, BSA, AEGIS, and ISC, and operates as a fully co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Around 530 pupils are on roll — large enough to offer genuine breadth, compact enough for every pupil to be known well. Annual boarding fees stand at £55,293 (2025/26).
The school offers GCSE, A-level, and BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) programmes, balancing rigorous academic preparation with real flexibility of subject choice. The sixth form — Years 12 and 13 — sits at the centre of the school’s academic identity, with pupils regularly progressing to Russell Group universities including Oxford and Cambridge. GCSE subject provision covers humanities, sciences, languages, and creative subjects. A-level and BTEC options then allow pupils to follow more specialised pathways into higher education or vocational routes. Small class sizes and the residential setting mean academic conversation continues well beyond the formal timetable. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available for international pupils integrating into the curriculum.
The sixth form sits within the broader boarding community rather than on a separate campus. Older pupils remain embedded in the houses and daily rhythms of school life while taking on greater academic independence. University preparation, including Oxbridge and international applications, is a structured part of sixth-form provision.
Sedbergh is one of the few remaining full boarding schools in England. Pupils are in residence seven days a week rather than departing at weekends. Nine boarding houses each form the core pastoral unit for the pupils within them, with house staff providing day-to-day oversight and clear structures for mentoring and support. Weekends are programmed: sporting fixtures, expeditions, cultural visits, and house activities rather than empty timetable slots. This rhythm is central to how the school functions and why many families choose it.
Sport features prominently, with over 35 options including rugby, hockey, cricket, and athletics. Sedbergh has a particular tradition in rugby and has produced a number of national and international athletes. Music, drama, and debating run alongside a strong outdoor pursuits programme. The Outdoor Pursuits Club organises climbing, fell walking, and mountain biking, making direct use of the national park immediately around the school. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is available. Co-curricular engagement is treated as a structured part of each week, not an optional extra.
The school campus occupies the town of Sedbergh itself, with buildings spread across a site that includes science laboratories, art studios, sports complexes, and a Grade II* listed chapel dating from the late nineteenth century. The chapel serves as a focal point for school gatherings and community events. The surrounding countryside — fells, rivers, and open moorland — is an active part of how the school uses its environment throughout the year, not simply a backdrop.
Sedbergh sits in Cumbria, roughly equidistant between Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport, both approximately 60–75 minutes by road. Manchester Airport offers the broader range of international connections and is the more practical arrival point for families travelling from the UAE, Nigeria, Russia, or mainland Europe. Train services to Oxenholme (Lake District) provide an onward connection by road.
Annual tuition
£58,275 per year · boarding & day
Manchester Airport or Leeds Bradford Airport, approx. 60–75 min by road from Sedbergh, Cumbria.
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Sedbergh School accepts pupils from age 3 through to 18. The senior school and sixth form are the primary focus for boarding pupils, with the broader age range reflecting the school’s all-through provision in Cumbria.
Yes, Sedbergh operates as a fully co-educational school across all year groups. Both day and boarding places are available to pupils of all genders.
Boarding fees stand at £55,293 per year (2025/26). The school publishes updated fee schedules annually, with the most recent list covering September 2026 available directly from the school.
The school offers GCSE, A-level, and BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) programmes. The sixth form (Years 12–13) provides a range of A-level and BTEC pathways, with structured support for university applications including Oxbridge and international institutions.
Sedbergh is a full boarding school. Pupils remain on campus throughout the week and at weekends rather than returning home on Fridays. Nine boarding houses form the pastoral core of school life, with house staff providing day-to-day support and weekends structured around fixtures, expeditions, and house activities.
Yes, the school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for international pupils. This provision is designed to help pupils integrate into the curriculum and the broader school community as they develop their language confidence.
The school offers over 35 sports, including rugby, hockey, cricket, and athletics, alongside music, drama, and debating. The Outdoor Pursuits Club organises climbing, fell walking, and mountain biking in the surrounding national park. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is also available.
Leeds Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport are both approximately 60–75 minutes from Sedbergh by road. Manchester offers wider international connections and is generally the more practical option for families arriving from overseas. Oxenholme station provides a rail connection with onward road transfer.
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