Concord College UK Guide: Reviews, Ranking, Fees, And More
Concord College is an independent day and boarding school that is globally recognised for its quality of education, world class teaching faculty and modern facilities. The school is truly international, welcoming students from over 40 countries at any one time.
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Concord College Summary
- Type of school: Co-educational
- Age range: 13-18
- Pupils: 571; sixth formers: 353
- Fees: Day £18,300; Boarding £53,400 pa
- 2023 GCSE Results: 90% 9-7
- 2024 A Level Results: 73% A*-A
Concord College Overview
Concord College is a co-educational day and boarding school that serves students aged 13-18 in preparation for GCSE or A Level success. The word ‘Concord’ means harmony, a value which remains at the heart of what the school is today.
Situated in the beautiful countryside of Shropshire, the school is very popular among the global community, with majority of its students coming from overseas. Academic excellence is a major focus, as seen from its number of graduates gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge as well as other top universities.
Students are grouped into small class sizes, ensuring they get sufficient personalised attention. The 73-acre campus is also home to over 100 clubs and societies, giving students the opportunity to explore their passions, make friends and develop holistically.
Concord College Courses and Programmes
Lower School 13+ Entry
Students who begin at Lower School 13+ will join a vibrant mix of boarding and day students. Entrants will be welcomed and supported by the Head of Lower School, their Head of Year and a highly professional pastoral team who help them to settle in quickly. Lower School consists of a structured and well-established curriculum combines academic rigour that is supplemented by a programme of extra curricular activities. Form 3, which is a foundation year before the GSCE/IGSCE, comprises an interesting and varied curriculum to prepare them for the next step of their academic life.
Lower School 14+ Entry
Students entering at 14+ will embark on a two-year programme leading to the GSCE and IGSCE examinations. The curriculum will comprise core subjects, and students have the option to select other optional subjects.
Students will find that they will be fully supported by their personal tutor, highly qualified subject specialists, their Head of Year and the Head of Lower School. Unlike age demarcations typically found in other schools, Lower School students will get the opportunity to interact with and learn from Sixth Form students, with the hopes of instilling and inspiring them to follow in the footsteps of their senior counterparts in achieving strong work ethics and academic excellence.
The student will also expect to further have their personal development seen to, through a dynamic extra curricular programme that may be pursued both on and off campus, as well as inter-house competitions across a range of creative areas.
Sixth Form Entry
At the Sixth Form, academic work will be a strong, core focus, and these young adults will learn to and be encouraged to take on increased responsibilities in their lives, through the development of self-motivated studies and opportunities to challenge, excite and cultivate independence of thought.
Pastoral care is greatly emphasised as well, and students will find that they can find support from their teachers, individual tutors, boarding parents and Head of House.
Achieving higher education is the goal for Sixth Form students at Concord, and all Sixth Formers will be given comprehensive career guidance to enable them to make informed and educated decisions on enrolling in an appropriate University course.
Concord greatly recognises the importance of University entries, and acknowledge that any small advantage can make a huge difference to students, bearing in mind how competitive admissions can be at the top Universities of the world.
All Sixth Formers will be supported on the University application process, and will be able to get further guidance and advice from their tutors, Head of House, specialist subject teachers, and university coordinators.
At Sixth Form, students will also find that there will be more opportunities for personal development and growth, and learn how to balance academic expectations with new freedoms, possibilities and further opportunities.
Concord College Application Deadline
Applications for boarding places should be submitted to the College before the September prior to the start of the academic year the student wishes to enter. For example, applications for entry in either September 2025 or January 2026 should be submitted before September 2024.
Concord College Ranking
In 2023, Concord College ranked 16th in the A-Levels League Table, and in 2023 the institution achieved the ranked 25th in the GCSEs League Table.
Concord College 2023 Results
In the recent 2024 A Level examinations, 73% of Concord College students scored A*-A. In 2023, the institution achieved 90% 9-7 for their GCSE. These stellar results are a testament to the quality of education and teaching provided at Concord College.
Concord College Fees
Boarding fees for the 2023/24 academic year are £17,800 per term and £53,400 per annum. This includes tuition, accommodation, use of all College Clubs and Societies (except horse riding), meals, laundry, and regular visits to Shrewsbury and elsewhere (refer to website).
Not included in the fee:
- Public examination fees
- Horse riding
- Pocket money
- Text books and stationery
- Private academic or instrumental music tuition
Day fees for the 2023/24 academic year are £6,100 per term and £18,300 per annum.
Concord College Entry Requirements
Entrance to Concord College is highly selective, particularly at the sixth form level – it is truly a place for the most academically-minded students. Concord College requires all prospective students to take its bespoke entrance exams. These exams are generally conducted online and cover English (with separate tests for native and non-native speakers), Mathematics, and Critical Thinking for Form 3 and Form 4 applicants.
For those aiming to enter the Sixth Form, the tests focus on the subjects the student plans to study at A Level or closely related disciplines. Additionally, non-native English speakers may need to take an English proficiency test.
Following the evaluation of these tests, interviews are scheduled for selected candidates. Not every applicant will be invited for an interview; in some cases, students may secure admission based solely on their impressive test scores and school records.
Concord College Reviews
What a fantastic school, is all one can say my daughter has flourished and done exceptionally well here the staff are just the best the head mr Hawkins is the most approachable head with a interest in every student, all the communication is spot on any issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently making this the best learning environment I have ever experienced.
A very nice and peaceful physical environment conducive to studying. I would love to study here if I was a student. The principal was an extremely pleasant and knowledgeable person, who explained to us everything we needed to know about the college.
Having the best time of my life. Time flies but friendship stays. Concord doesn’t give me not only chances to get into the best university but also give me my second family.
My daughter is always happy to go to school and always has interesting activities to tell us about. I attribute this to the exemplary standards of teaching and the sense of community they have fostered at Concord.
My son has just finished his 2 years of A levels at Concord. It has been a wonderful experience for him and we have seen him blossom into a confident and happy young man. He achieved excellent results: 2A*s in Maths and Further Maths and As in Physics and Chemistry. He was pushed to his best ability and had exceptional support when he needed it. The best compliment I can give is that he is already missing his Concord family, after only a few months.
I was a bit hesitant to send my young child to boarding school at first, being that we are so far away and have to entrust their care entirely to the school. However, when we visited the school, I was heartened to see that there are many international students here and the principal was really pleasant. It has been a joy having my child study at Concord.
Concord College Accommodation
Concord College has seventeen distinct boarding residences, strategically placed throughout the campus as well as in the neighboring villages of Acton Burnell and Acton Pigott. The accommodation options are a blend of contemporary, purpose-built structures and charmingly renovated older buildings, all designed to foster a warm and inviting atmosphere. Each student enjoys the privacy of a single-occupancy bedroom, complemented by cozy social areas and kitchenettes—perfect spaces for making friends and unwinding.
The college dining hall offers three well-balanced meals daily, all prepared in a state-of-the-art kitchen. For those who enjoy cooking, students also have the option to prepare snacks in the main student kitchen located in the picturesque walled garden. For social activities, the ‘West End’ common room presents a contemporary, glass-fronted space equipped with a snack bar and a shop. It offers ample room for weekend discos, board games, and casual relaxation on comfortable sofas. Adjacent to this is a mini amphitheater, ideal for outdoor performances and gatherings.
Concord College Student Services And Extra-Curricular Activities
Concord College adopts a holistic approach towards education. Students are encouraged to study hard and also to engage in extracurricular activities. The campus comes equipped with extensive sports facilities, such as sports fields, three gyms, two sports halls, a high ropes course, tennis, squash, basketball courts and an indoor pool. Outdoor activities such as canoeing, caving, climbing, and cycling are also provided.
Students can also opt to join any of the 100 clubs and societies that cater to a wide array of passions and interests. For those interested in the performing arts, they can take part in the multitude of events held at the school’s very own amphitheatre. There are also opportunities for outdoor education, where students take part in regular activities both on campus and in locations elsewhere in the UK. This opportunity allows students to broaden their horizons, build self-confidence and foster values such as teamwork.
Pastoral Care And Wellbeing
At Concord College, every staff member—whether involved in teaching, pastoral roles, or other areas play a role in supporting students throughout their time at Concord. Lead Boarding Parents, residing in accommodations connected to each of the 17 boarding houses, along with Assistant Boarding Parents, Boarding Assistants, Pastoral Assistants, and Tutors, collaborate to maintain the daily wellbeing of students. This team is bolstered by the Heads of Year, Heads of House, and Heads of Boarding Divisions, as well as the Senior Team, creating a comprehensive support network.
The school fosters the growth of well-rounded individuals through PSHE lessons, assemblies, and talks, some of which are delivered by external experts. These sessions cover vital topics such as relationships, healthy lifestyles, and navigating social pressures. A purpose-built medical centre staffed by a dedicated nursing team addresses both ongoing medical needs and acute illnesses, offering support seven days a week. Students also have access to a range of listening supports—from trained staff listeners to professional counsellors—ensuring they always have someone to turn to.
Concord College Contact Information
- Official Website: https://concordcollegeuk.com
- Location: Concord College, Acton Burnell Hall, Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7PF, England.
- Email Address: enquiries@concordcollege.org.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)1694 731631
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Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!