2025 A level results: 41% of entries graded A*, 76.2% graded A* or A.
A leading UK girls' boarding school in Buckinghamshire
Why this school
2025 A level results: 41% of entries graded A*, 76.2% graded A* or A.
The school runs its own boathouse on the Thames, supporting a competitive rowing programme.
Eleven boarding houses, each led by a dedicated housemistress, structure daily pastoral life.
Wycombe Abbey is one of the most academically selective girls’ boarding schools in the United Kingdom. Dame Frances Dove founded it in 1896, and the school sits on a 170-acre parkland campus in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, roughly 30 minutes from central London. It accepts girls aged 11 to 18 and has around 650 pupils. ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) inspected and consistently placed at the top of independent school rankings, Wycombe Abbey draws students from across the UK and internationally — a genuinely global community operating from a distinctly English country setting.
Girls study towards GCSEs in the lower and middle school before progressing to A levels in the sixth form. The school’s 2025 A level results place it firmly among the strongest academic performers in the country: 41% of all A level entries were graded A*, and 76.2% were graded A* or A. University destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, and leading American universities.
The curriculum covers the standard range of academic subjects with particular depth in the sciences and humanities. Small class sizes and a full-boarding structure mean academic work and structured study time are woven into the daily routine rather than treated as an add-on.
The sixth form offers A level combinations across arts, sciences, and social sciences. Pupils typically apply to highly competitive UK and overseas universities. The school has a strong track record of supporting those applications through dedicated academic mentoring.
A-Level results
2025: 41% of A Level entries graded A*; 76.2% A*/A. Pupils secured places at top UK and overseas universities.
Wycombe Abbey is a full-boarding school: all pupils live on site, day-place arrangements aside. Eleven boarding houses each have a housemistress who oversees pastoral welfare. This house structure shapes daily life directly — meals, social time, and weekend activities all revolve around the house community.
Day places are available, with day fees at £46,800 per year (2025/26) compared to full boarding at £58,572 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are charged termly at £20,500. An international deposit of £17,000 is required for overseas pupils in addition to the standard acceptance deposit of £3,500.
Weekends are structured rather than unscheduled, with a programme of sport, cultural visits, and house activities keeping pupils engaged across the full seven-day week.
Lacrosse has a particularly strong tradition at Wycombe Abbey, with the school holding a national reputation in the sport. Rowing is another signature activity: the school has its own boathouse on the Thames. Over 50 clubs and societies operate across the school, covering STEM and robotics, drama, choral singing, and various music ensembles. Pupils have performed both nationally and internationally through the music and drama programmes. Leadership and service sit alongside these activities as a structured part of school life, not optional extras.
The campus covers 170 acres and includes a lake, extensive sports grounds, and a mix of historic and purpose-built academic facilities. High Wycombe is a market town in Buckinghamshire, set within the Chiltern Hills. The site is large enough to feel genuinely self-contained while remaining close to London, which matters for school trips and for international families travelling through Heathrow.
London Heathrow Airport is approximately 30 miles from the school, typically 35 to 50 minutes by road depending on traffic. London Paddington connects to High Wycombe by direct rail in around 25 minutes. For families arriving from Europe or further afield, Heathrow is the most practical entry point.
Annual tuition
£61,500 per year · full boarding
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full boarding | — | £61,500 | ||
| Day | — | £46,800 |
Additional fees
Deposit
£3,500
Registration
£420
London Heathrow Airport, approximately 30 miles (35–50 min by road)
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Full boarding fees are £58,572 per year (2025/26), charged at £20,500 per term. Day places are available at £46,800 per year (£15,600 per term). International pupils pay an additional deposit of £17,000 alongside the standard acceptance deposit of £3,500. A registration fee of £420 also applies.
Yes. Wycombe Abbey is a full-boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, with all pupils living on site in one of 11 boarding houses. Day places are also offered, though boarding is the primary model and shapes the school’s daily structure and weekend programme.
The school offers GCSEs in the lower and middle years, followed by A levels in the sixth form. There is no IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma programme. The 2025 A level results show 41% A* entries and 76.2% A*/A grades across all entries.
The school has approximately 650 pupils across years 7 to 13, all girls, aged 11 to 18.
The school is in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, roughly 30 miles from London Heathrow Airport, typically 35 to 50 minutes by road. A direct train from London Paddington to High Wycombe takes around 25 minutes, making the school straightforwardly accessible for international families.
Lacrosse and rowing are among the school’s signature sports, with a dedicated boathouse on the Thames for rowing. More than 50 clubs and societies are available, covering STEM and robotics, drama, music ensembles, choral singing, and leadership programmes. Pupils have taken part in performances nationally and internationally.
The school was founded in 1896 by Dame Frances Dove. It is an ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) inspected independent school and has operated as a girls’ boarding school throughout its history.
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