Gloucestershire is home to some of the most prestigious and historic independent schools in the country, with impressive academic performance and pastoral care, not to mention first-class facilities.
SoGlos’s comprehensive independent schools guide spans some truly exceptional institutions for children aged from two to 18, whether you’re considering a co-educational or single-sex school; day or boarding; pre-preparatory, preparatory, senior or Sixth Form.
What is an independent school?
In the UK, independent school is another term for 'private school' — these schools charge fees to attend, instead of being funded by the government and do not have to follow the national curriculum.
Cheltenham independent schools
Cheltenham Ladies' College
About Cheltenham Ladies' College
The world-renowned Cheltenham Ladies’ College has been educating girls from across the globe for more than 160 years. The boarding and day school welcomes girls from 11 through to 18 to its diverse community of over 850 students. By creating an educational environment that’s supportive, challenging, innovative and creative, CLC helps pupils achieve success both inside and outside the classroom.
The independent school consistently achieves outstanding results in GCSE, A Level and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations; with the school being named the South West Independent School of the Decade in 2021.
Class sizes are small and encourage active participation, while expert teaching and regular feedback help pupils realise their full potential. Pupils can also benefit from the extensive range of co-curricular activities, from music clubs and creative societies to sports.
Highlights
Pupils are invited to pursue a broad and varied curriculum, with engineering, enterprise and technology; language acquisition; and philosophical enquiry offered alongside the core subjects of maths; English language and literature; sciences; and modern languages.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College students benefit from a state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Centre, complete with two sports halls; a 58-station fitness gym with free weights and spin area; multi-purpose activity and dance studio; squash courts; swimming pool; and climbing wall, too.
The school is also opening its brand-new Sixth Form Centre in autumn 2026, designed to 'provide innovative learning spaces, that prepare students for university, work and life'.
Cheltenham Ladies' College results
In 2025, Cheltenham Ladies' College saw 35 per cent of A Level pupils achieve an A*; 70 per cent of pupils achieve A* to A; 87 per cent of pupils achieve A* to B; and 96 per cent of pupils achieve A* to C.
At GCSE, 74 per cent of pupils achieved grades 9/8/A*; 88 per cent achieved 9 to 7/A* to A; and 99 per cent achieved 9 to 4/A* to C.
While 52 per cent of International Baccalaureate pupils achieved 40+, with the average points achieved being 38.9.
How much does Cheltenham Ladies' College cost?
Fees cost £20,100 for boarding and £12,660 for day pupils in the Lower and Upper College per term; and for those joining CLC at Sixth Form, fees are £22,290 for boarding and £14,340 for day pupils per term.
Cheltenham Ladies' College offers a bursary scheme, The Beale Awards, offering up to 100 per cent fee support on a means-tested basis, with pro-rated assistance towards additional costs such as uniforms and co-curricular activities.
Which famous people went to Cheltenham Ladies' College?
Actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas; scientist Dame Mary Archer; artist Bridget Riley; politician Amber Rudd; fashion designer Amanda Wakeley; the first female chief of MI6, Blaise Metreweli; and author Robin Stevens.
Get in touch
Address: Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3EP
Telephone: 01242 520691
Email: enquiries@cheltladiescollege.org
Website: cheltladiescollege.org
Social media: facebook.com/CheltLadiesColl or instagram.com/cheltladiescoll.
Dean Close School
About Dean Close School
Established in 1886, Dean Close School offers an outstanding all-through education for day and boarding pupils aged two to 18, underpinned by a strong Christian ethos. Located in the heart of Regency Cheltenham and deeply rooted in the local community, the school is set within 50 acres of picturesque grounds, featuring a blend of original Victorian buildings and modern, purpose-built facilities including boarding houses, sports amenities and a theatre, all on one campus.
The school aims to give pupils the very best preparation, not only for their exams, but for life beyond them, equipping them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Academic ambition is balanced with a strong pastoral focus, ensuring each pupil is supported to develop both confidence and character.
Highlights
Dean Close has just welcomed its new head, Ali Harber, who brings a wealth of experience and a thoughtful approach to school leadership.
Describing itself as 'academically ambitious without being oppressive', Dean Close achieves consistently strong GCSE and A Level results with pupils going on to leading universities including Oxford and Princeton.
But its emphasis isn't solely on exams, with a wide ranging co-curricular programme that spans drama productions and orchestral concerts to engagement with emerging technologies and a structured exploration of AI.
Sport is an integral part of life at Dean Close, with participation encouraged across all year groups. The school's hockey teams are a regular fixture in national finals; its netball programme recently qualified for the national finals; and the school unveiled its brand-new all-weather cricket practice facility in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to outstanding sporting facilities and opportunities for its young people.
In Sixth Form, its unique NEXUS programme runs alongside A Levels to 'connect academic study with leadership development, super-curricular exploration and tailored preparation for university, apprenticeships and careers', helping to bridge the gap between school and adult life.
Pastoral care is also extremely important, with pupils' happiness and wellbeing at the heart of the school. Its house system provides mentorship across year groups; each pupil has their own 'key person' to support them; and pupils in Dean Close Prep School have access to The Wellbeing Hub – an award-winning online platform offering a proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing, with expert resources for pupils, staff and parents.
Dean Close School results
In 2024, 94 per cent of pupils achieved GCSE grades 9 to 4; 51 per cent achieved grades 9 to 7; and 32 per cent achieved grades 9 to 8.
While at A Level, 66 per cent of pupils achieved A* to B; and 34 per cent achieved grades A* to A.
How much does Dean Close School cost?
Per term, full-day fees for the 2026-27 academic year range from £4,150 a term for pre-prep pupils starting in Reception; from £5,600 per term for preparatory school pupils starting in Year 3; and from £12,150 per term for senior school pupils and sixth formers in Years 9 to 13.
Dean Close also offers boarding, flexi boarding and international boarding options.
Which famous people went to Dean Close School?
Rolling Stones founding member, Brian Jones; artist Francis Bacon; actors Hugh Quarshie and Will Merrick; composer John Metcalfe; lexicographer and former editor-in-chief of the Oxford English Dictionary, John Simpson; and former president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Baron Bernard Ribeiro.
Get in touch
Address: Dean Close Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory Schools are on Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6QS; Dean Close Senior School is on Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6HE
Telephone: 01242 258000
Email: For Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, email preprepadmissions@deanclose.org.uk; for Dean Close Preparatory School, email dcpsregistrar@deanclose.org.uk; and for Dean Close Senior School, email registrar@deanclose.org.uk
Website: deanclose.org.uk
Social media: facebook.com/DeanCloseSchool and instagram.com/DeanCloseSchool
Gloucester independent schools
Independent schools beyond the border
Tockington Manor School
About Tockington Manor School
An independent co-educational nursery and preparatory school for children aged two to 13, Tockington Manor School in South Gloucestershire prides itself on upholding traditional family values and allowing 'children to be children' for as long as possible.
Housed in the beautiful 18th century Tockington Manor and set in 28 acres of countryside, just north of Bristol, the school offers a breadth and depth in education boasting an excellent success rate in its Common Entrance exams, with a high percentage of its pupils winning academic, design and technology and sports scholarships to the country's top senior schools, too.
The academic experience at Tockington is enhanced by additional childcare that aligns with modern day family life, offering all families extended hours from breakfast until after supper.
Highlights
Pupils at Tockington benefit from access to its extensive sports facilities, which include a 25m heated indoor swimming pool; dual all-weather astroturf pitch; club standard cricket wicket with modern pavilion; numerous rugby and football pitches; and 2.5km of cross-country running trails and running track.
Children are encouraged to embrace the outdoors throughout their school lives, with things like forest school, 'wellie walks' around the grounds, creative activities and wildlife investigations helping to inspire learning and encourage a love of nature.
The school also has a proud tradition of performing arts, including through private music lessons, music technology and dance, while pupils who have starred in its drama productions have even gone on to land roles in the West End.
Its art, design and technology provision covers everything from classical art study to textiles and bridge building; and it has an extensive offering of extracurricular activities, with everything from yoga and ballet, to computing and debating.
Tockington Manor School results
The school boasts an impressive 100 per cent success rate for Year 8 leavers gaining entry to their first choice senior schools. In sports, 2025 saw the school become national champions in both touch rugby and IAPS Swimming.
How much does Tockington Manor School cost?
Fees for 2025-26 start at £4,860 per year for Reception through to Year 2; while Year 3 costs £6,570; Year 4 costs £6,960; and Year 5 through to Year 8 costs £7,500 per year.
Get in touch
Address: Tockington Manor School, Washingpool Hill Road, Tockington, BS32 4NY
Telephone number: 01454 613229
Email: admin@tockingtonmanorschool.com
Website: tockingtonmanorschool.com
Social media: facebook.com/tockingtonmanorschool and instagram.com/tockingtonmanorschool.
