Shrewsbury School Review: Rankings, Fees, And More

Shrewsbury School is a co-educational day and boarding institution, offering exceptional educational programmes for students aged 13 to 18. The school delivers a vibrant and engaging learning experience, dedicated to nurturing the unique talents and passions of each individual student.

shrewsbury school review

Table of Contents

Shrewsbury School Summary

  • Type of school: Co-educational
  • Age range: 13-18
  • Pupils: 842
  • Boarders: 65%
  • Fees: Boarding £49,359 – £51,084 per annum
  • 2024 A Level Results: 43% A*-A
  • 2024 GCSE Results: 54% 9-7

Overview

Shrewsbury School champions a holistic approach to education, prioritising personal growth both academically and beyond, within an inclusive community that celebrates individuality. With a steadfast commitment to fostering inner virtues, essential life skills, and character strengths, the school empowers its students to lead confident, purposeful, and successful lives.

This unwavering dedication to excellence earned Shrewsbury School national recognition as the Independent School of the Year in 2020. Further highlighting its impact, the school was also honoured with the Community Outreach Award 2020 at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards, reflecting its exceptional contributions to social impact and community engagement.

Shrewsbury School Courses and Programmes

Shrewsbury School provides a broad curriculum for GCSE courses, offering students a comprehensive educational experience. For A-Level, the school offers a choice of 25 subjects, with the additional option to pursue Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ).

The school excels particularly in Maths and Further Maths at A-Level/Pre-U. Beyond the academic subjects, pupils can access a wide range of extracurricular options, including ceramics, photography, computing, art and design, theatre studies, and PE. Students may even combine these subjects to tailor their learning experience.

Shrewsbury School 2024/2025 Fees

Lower School 

(Third, Fourth and Fifth Form)
(Termly Fees) 

  • Boarding, UK/EAA Resident: £15,598
  • Boarding, UK/EAA Non-Resident: £16,453
  • Day: £10,697

Sixth Form

(Termly Fees)

  • Boarding, UK/EAA Resident: £16,166
  • Boarding, UK/EAA Non-Resident: £17,028
  • Day: £11,277

Shrewsbury School Entry Requirements

13+ and 14+ Application Procedure

Applicants are required to sit the School’s entrance exams in Maths, English, and, if applicable, French (for those who have studied it for more than a year). Registration must be completed before taking the exams.

Ideally, all exams are taken on the same day in November of the preceding year, in preparation for the September intake. The exams can be held at Shrewsbury School, the applicant’s current school, a local law firm, or a local Consulate. Results are typically released within two weeks of the exam date. Parents are responsible for covering any administrative costs involved in overseeing the exams.

Additionally, the School requires an academic and character reference from the applicant’s current school to issue an unconditional offer. Admission staff prefer to meet applicants in person during a School tour or through an online interview.

16+ Application Procedure

Applicants are required to sit the School’s entrance exams, consisting of four written papers of their choice, along with an interview with one of the Admissions Tutors. While applicants should visit the School and meet the Admissions Tutors in person, an online interview is also an acceptable alternative.

All applicants must register before taking the examinations. A conditional offer will be made once the School has received a satisfactory reference, along with a minimum of three GCSEs in Grade 7 and three GCSEs in Grade 5, or 3As and 3Bs.

International Applicants

For entry into Year 9, Year 10, or Year 12, international students must sit entrance tests in Maths, English, and Non-verbal Reasoning. Successful performance in these tests will result in an invitation to an interview, which can be conducted online if needed. Prospective students and their families are also warmly encouraged to visit the school in person to experience Shrewsbury School firsthand.

Shrewsbury School Boarding and Pastoral Care

The House system at Shrewsbury School is central to pupils’ well-being, providing a supportive “home from home” environment. Housemasters and housemistresses manage the houses as extensions of their own families, prioritising the care and welfare of every individual. The school has 12 houses: 7 for boys, accommodating both boarding and day pupils, and 5 for girls, with a similar setup.

Each House is led by a dedicated Housemaster or Housemistress who takes primary responsibility for pupils’ well-being and emotional support throughout their time at Shrewsbury. With an open-door policy, they maintain a close relationship with pupils and serve as the main point of contact between parents and the school. Their role is pivotal in ensuring pupils’ happiness, welfare, and academic progress.

Shrewsbury’s House system fosters a dynamic and inclusive community where pupils are encouraged to engage according to their individual talents and interests. House loyalty is strengthened through a variety of competitions, ranging from sports to activities such as debating and performing, contributing to the vibrant life of the school.

Shrewsbury School Extracurricular Activities

All pupils are actively encouraged to engage in a wide range of sports, music, drama, and activities. With such a diverse array of opportunities, it is rare to find a student who hasn’t discovered their passion. With excellent facilities and dedicated staff, students are supported and motivated to achieve their full potential, regardless of their abilities or ambitions. While many arrive with established interests, others find new passions ignited during their time there.

Sports

Shrewsbury School boasts a distinguished sporting legacy, having pioneered cross-country running through ‘The Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt’ (RSSH), an achievement honoured with a World Athletics Heritage Plaque. Additionally, the school played a key role in shaping the rules of football, with the oldest set of written laws preserved in its library. Some of the sports offered at Shrewsbury School include:

  • Cricket 
  • Cross-country 
  • Football 
  • Hockey 
  • Rowing 

Music

The school aims to engage as many students as possible in music, working to match each individual with the appropriate standard. The Maidment Building features acoustic wall panels in its main auditorium, optimising sound quality for both speech and various musical forms. It includes several teaching rooms, the majority of which are fitted with pianos. The auditorium, designed in an elliptical shape, has fully retractable seating and serves as a flexible space for both social and musical events. Additionally, there is a modern recording studio within the building.

Drama

All productions are backed by a student technical team, trained and supported by two full-time technicians. Former students are currently employed by the BBC, the Royal Opera House, and the National Theatre. Furthermore, the aim is to host at least one professional visiting company or artist in the studio theatre during the Michaelmas and Summer terms. Theatre visits are common and well-received.

Shrewsbury School Reviews

Ex-Pupil
5/5

They encourage you to be ambitious but most of all to find the right thing for you.

Paul Snook
5/5

Another of Shrewsbury’s leading educational establishments, with a track record steeped in history.

Nazmi Nurudin
5/5

This place was very fantastic. The environment is good and I love it.

Ex-Pupil
5/5

Over my five years at Shrewsbury, I have always felt that I have been pushed to the best of my abilities.

Shrewsbury School Frequently Asked Questions

Shrewsbury School provides a broad curriculum, including GCSEs and A Levels across various subjects. The school emphasises academic rigour and encourages students to excel in their studies.

Shrewsbury School prioritises pastoral care, ensuring that every student feels supported. Each student is overseen by a dedicated pastoral team and assigned a tutor who oversees their well-being and academic progress.

The school provides tailored support for university applications, including guidance on choosing courses, personal statement writing, and interview preparation.

Yes, Shrewsbury School welcomes international students and provides support for their integration, including English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes.

Shrewsbury School Contact Information

  • Official website: https://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/
  • Phone call: +44 01743 280552
  • Email: admissions@shrewsbury.org.uk
  • Location: Shrewsbury School, The Schools, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BA, United Kingdom

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Apply To A UK Boarding School Today!

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