Bromsgrove School Review – Rankings, Fees, And More
Bromsgrove School is a co-educational independent boarding institution located in the Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, England that was founded in 1553. It ranks among the oldest public schools in Britain and is one of the 14 founding members of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference. The school offers both boarding and day options, comprising three divisions: the Pre-Prep Nursery School for ages 2-7, the Preparatory School for ages 7-13, and the Senior School for students aged 13-18.
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Bromsgrove School Summary
- Type of school: Co-educational
- Age range: 2-18
- Pupils:1049; sixth formers: 446
- Boarders: 80%
- Fees: Day £23,364 per annum; Boarding £52,254 per annum (includes VAT)
- 2024 IB Results: 38.9 Point Average
- 2024 A-Level Results: 60% A*-A
- 2024 GCSE Results: 62% 9-7
Overview
At Bromsgrove, students join at various stages of their educational journey. Some are just beginning, while others are only a few years away from confidently navigating an ever-changing world. The school accommodates both day pupils and boarders, with some living nearby and others travelling from across the globe to study. A wide range of subject and course options are available, including A levels, the International Baccalaureate, and BTECs. Regardless of their chosen ambitions or interests, whether they are in the Nursery, Pre-Preparatory, Winterfold, Preparatory, or Senior School, each pupil is valued as an individual, with personal pathways designed to help them achieve success and fulfil their potential.
Bromsgrove School Courses and Programme
Fourth and Fifth Form
Bromsgrove offers a wide variety of GCSE subjects. Pupils in the Fourth Form have the opportunity to experience pre-GCSE lessons across many different options before finalising their selection of typically eleven GCSE subjects in the Fifth Form. A core set of subjects is mandatory, including English, Maths, the Sciences, and a Modern Language, but beyond this, students are given flexibility in their choices. Some AS qualifications can be taken early, and an extended project AS Level option is available for those with the maturity to undertake sustained analytical work.
The Sixth Form
At Bromsgrove School, students have the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate, A-levels, or a limited selection of BTEC courses. The variety of subjects available is extensive, and the school demonstrates considerable flexibility in accommodating uncommon subject combinations. Students pursuing the A-level pathway typically study four AS-levels in the Lower Sixth, followed by three A2-levels in the Upper Sixth. Those following the International Baccalaureate programme prepare for terminal examinations over two years.
Admissions Process to the Bromsgrove School
Students can be admitted to Bromsgrove School in most year groups, with the main entry points being at Kindergarten, 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+. Admissions during the academic year require special arrangements with the Assistant Head (Admissions), and entry into Year 10 is generally not possible due to curriculum constraints.
Prospective candidates seeking admission to Bromsgrove School are required to complete a registration form and pay the associated fee before sitting the entrance examinations. Offers of entry are based on performance in these examinations, except for Sixth Form applicants from the UK, who are not required to sit entrance tests but must still complete a registration form.
For entry into Years 3 and 4, applicants will sit the online CAT4 (Cognitive Ability Test) and complete a 30-minute Creative Writing task on Saturday, 11th January 2025. A video presentation must also be submitted to the school by 6:00 pm on Friday, 10th January 2025.
For Years 5, 6, and 8, the same assessment process applies, with the Creative Writing task extended to 45 minutes. The deadline for submitting the video presentation is also 6:00 pm on Friday, 10th January 2025.
Year 7/11+ and Year 9/13+ applicants will take the CAT4, complete a 45-minute Creative Writing task, and submit a video presentation by 6:00 pm on Monday, 25th November 2024. The video presentation, lasting up to three minutes, will cover a topic provided a week before the examination date.
For Sixth Form entry, students from other British schools are admitted based on an interview with the Headmaster, a confidential reference, and GCSE results. A conditional offer is made, which is confirmed upon publication of GCSE results. Candidates applying for a scholarship must also submit a scholarship application form and sit the scholarship examinations.
International applicants are expected to meet the normal GCSE qualifications for Sixth Form entry, with a minimum of five grade 6s, usually including English and Mathematics. Some subjects require a grade 7 or above. They must sit an examination, take the UKiset, and attend an informal interview in person with the Registrar.
Boarding Experience in Cardiff Sixth Form College
Senior School
- Day: £7,788
- Weekly Boarder: £11,544
- Boarder: £17,418
Preparatory School
Year 3-6:
- Day: £5,430
- Weekly Boarder: £8,255
- Boarder: £11,316
Year 7-8:
- Day: £7,038
- Weekly Boarder: £9,996
- Boarder: £13,962
Registration Fee
- Day Place: £120
- Boarding Place: £240
Bromsgrove School Results 2024
The 2024 IB cohort at Bromsgrove School achieved an impressive average score of 38.9 points. For GCSEs, the school attained 62% grades 9–7, while at A-Level, 60% of grades were A*–A. These results highlight the exceptional quality of education and teaching at Bromsgrove.
Bromsgrove School Rankings 2024
Bromsgrove School ranked 71st in the A-Level League Table for 2024 and 152nd in the GCSE League Table for the same year.
Bromsgrove School Boarding and Pastoral Care
Bromsgrove provides a nurturing environment that feels like a home away from home. At the Senior School, there are two mixed, two girls’, and three boys’ boarding houses, each with its own unique character while upholding shared values and structures. Houseparents, who are members of the academic staff, live in the boarding houses with their families and are supported by a housemother. A resident assistant houseparent and a team of tutors also ensure round-the-clock care and guidance.
The houses foster a family-like atmosphere, with students supported through encouragement and trust. Meals are taken centrally, except for evening meals at Housman Hall, which promotes integration across the school’s thirteen day and boarding houses.
The school’s pastoral care team is dedicated to each student’s welfare, development, and progress, which are central to Bromsgrove’s mission. The Form Tutor acts as the primary point of contact for students and parents, maintaining effective communication between home and school. A Student Counsellor provides support for personal challenges or informal advice, while the Head of Secondary leads the Pastoral Team in ensuring that every student thrives and reaches their potential. Team members are always available for parent consultations.
Extracurricular Activities at Bromsgrove School
Bromsgrove Badge
In the Lower Fourth, Bromsgrove offers a wide range of outdoor experiences, including campcraft, orienteering, and climbing, alongside public speaking, local history, and general knowledge. One of the initial challenges is a demanding map-reading and walking exercise across the Malvern Hills. The programme concludes with a weekend camp at Symond’s Yat on the River Wye, where students apply their skills in activities such as abseiling, camping, canoeing, cooking, and rock climbing.
Clubs and Societies
At Bromsgrove, clubs and societies play a significant role alongside the CCF, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and Community Service. The thriving Debating Society, for instance, has achieved outstanding success. Its teams have won national competitions and represented the country in the International Final of the European Youth Parliament in Kiev. Locally, the society regularly participates in events such as the Three Counties Debate in Malvern, the English-Speaking Union Competition, and university debates at Oxford and Cambridge.
Sports
Bromsgrove School provides an exceptional sports program with diverse activities to cater to all interests and abilities. With over 40 teams for hockey, rugby, and netball alone, as well as competitive opportunities in badminton, tennis, swimming, and basketball, students have numerous chances to participate and excel. The school’s state-of-the-art facilities—including two sports halls, astroturf pitches, squash courts, a swimming pool, and a new sports arena—offer an excellent environment for training and competition. These resources, combined with expert coaching, enable students to achieve their athletic potential. Bromsgrove’s dedication to sports has earned national and regional championships, with former students gaining international recognition in rugby and hockey.
Bromsgrove School Reviews
“I was a full boarder. Educationally it really helped me progress, I had fantastic opportunities for sport, CCF and the expedition club. I excelled more outside of the classroom than in it. In the lower school I had access to a film darkroom and I went on to become a photographer, occasionally making money from this.”
“Bromsgrove is a lovely, well-respected school and has fabulous facilities. It’s large but very welcoming. Has a nice coffee shop and gives great food to visiting teams!”
“I think Bromsgrove is a hidden gem of a school. It is a very pupil centred school and from our experience, pastoral care is amazing. I really feel they look after the students and guide them well. The facilities are also amazing and the girls boarding houses are very modern and comfortable. As it is a big school it offers something for everyone. There are lots of sports on offer (sport is a real strength) loads of drama and music.”
Bromsgrove School Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Bromsgrove School offers a range of scholarships for academic excellence, music, sport, art, and drama. Means-tested bursaries are also available to assist families with the financial aspects of education.
Bromsgrove School consistently achieves excellent academic results. Pupils regularly perform well in GCSE, A-Level, and IB examinations, with a high proportion of students gaining entry to prestigious universities in the UK and internationally.
Bromsgrove School places a strong emphasis on pastoral care, ensuring that each pupil is supported in their academic and personal development. Housemasters, housemistresses, tutors, and support staff work together to create a nurturing and safe environment for all students.
Bromsgrove School Contact Information
- Telephone: 01527579679
- Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7DU.
- Official Website: bromsgrove-school.co.uk/
- Email: enquiries@bromsgrove-school.co.uk
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Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!