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
The Richard Pate School
About The Richard Pate School
The Richard Pate School is an independent day preparatory school and nursery for boys and girls aged three to 11 years.
Founded in 1946, it forms part of the Pate’s Grammar School Foundation, a charity set up by local historic figure Richard Pate in the year 1586.
Situated on an 11-acre semi-rural site in the Leckhampton area of Cheltenham, the school describes itself as 'happy and aspirational', with a focus on community and a wide breadth of learning opportunities. The school aims to motivate children and build a love of learning within their lives, all while championing values like the importance of manners, respect and self-discipline.
Highlights
Pupils at The Richard Pate school benefit from access to a wide range of on-site facilities, including an art studio, science lab, Astro pitch, dedicated music centre, and even a three-acre woodland where children are able to attend 'Forest School' sessions immersed in nature.
The school is also committed to the safety and care of its pupils, with pastoral support including 'here to hear' drop-in sessions, a 'chat and chill' club for mindfulness, and dedicated wellbeing counsellors.
Across the curriculum, pupils will learn traditional values with a 'forward-thinking approach', and can also engage with further academic and extra-curricular experiences to develop their confidence and skills.
The school passed in all areas of its latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report, with strengths highlighted under Section 1 – Leadership, Management and Governance; Section 2 – Quality of Education, Training and Recreation; Section 3 – Pupils’ Physical and Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing; and Section 4 – Pupils’ Social and Economic Education and Contribution to Society.
How much does The Richard Pate School cost?
Per term, fees for the 2026-27 academic year range from £1,769 per term for nursery children attending in the mornings; £4,237 per term for full-day pre-prep pupils starting in Reception; and from £5,256 per term for full-day Junior Department pupils starting in Year 3.
Which famous people went to The Richard Pate School?
Double Olympic Gold Medallist Alex Gregory MBE; politician Martin Horwood; Scotland International Rugby player Simon Danielli; author Vivian French, BAFTA-winning writer and children's animation author Jon Foster; Cross Country runner Emily Pidgeon; and the youngest female trainer in UK horse racing history, Amy Weaver.
Get in touch
Address: The Richard Pate School, Southern Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9RP
Telephone: 01242 522086
Email: office@richardpate.co.uk
Website: richardpate.co.uk
Social media: instagram.com/richardpate_school
Gloucester independent schools
The King's School Gloucester
About The King's School Gloucester
The King’s School Gloucester is an independent, all-through day school for girls and boys aged three to 18, which benefits from an impressive location and a special relationship with Gloucester Cathedral, located next door. Founded in 1541 by King Henry VIII as one of only seven cathedral schools, the institution welcomes children of all faiths and of none to its Pre-school, Junior and Senior Schools, and Sixth Form.
Its inspiring campus blends historic buildings with state-of-the art facilities and the school fosters a pupil-centred environment, where students benefit from small class sizes, excellent pastoral care and a broad range of academic subjects. It instils a lifelong love of learning with stimulating and engaging lessons, while encouraging pupils to pursue their own passions through a wide range of co-curricular activities spanning sports, music, languages, and performing arts lessons and clubs.
Highlights
King's scholarships and bursaries recognise and reward pupils who show exceptional talent in academic performance, sporting, musical, dramatic or artistic abilities and provide a significant reduction in school fees – running annually, offering entry into Years 7, 9 and 12.
This includes its prestigious King's School Choristers experience, where talented singers aged six to eight can audition to become members of the Gloucester Cathedral choir and receive a substantial discount on school fees during their time as a chorister, performing at cathedral services throughout the year and taking part in events like the Three Choirs Festival.
The King's School Gloucester results
King's achieves consistently excellent academic results at GCSE, A level and BTEC, with pupils going on to study at prestigious universities including Oxford. In 2026, 87 per cent of its A Level pupils achieved A* to C grades.
In its most recent ISI inspection, the school was praised for promoting a robust safeguarding culture across the school. It has also received glowing praise from the Good Schools Guide – as well as winning Independent School of the Year at the Gloucestershire Lifestyle & Community Awards three times.
How much does The King's School Gloucester cost?
For the 2026/27 academic year, term fees for the Junior School range from £3,910 in Reception up to £6,930 in Year 6, while senior school term fees range from £8,065 in Year 7 up to £9,500 in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13.
The King's School Gloucester also offers a sibling discount from five to 25 per cent for children from the same family whilst they are all in attendance at the school.
King's also offers music lessons, LAMDA Speech and Drama lessons and English as a Foreign Language lessons for an additional cost, ranging from £11.50 to £38.50 per lesson.
Which famous people went to The King's School Gloucester?
Actor Simon Pegg; BBC Breakfast presenter, Charlie Stayt; conductor with the English National Opera, Edward Gardner; rugby player, John Brain; and SLG founder Miles Dunkley.
Get in touch
Address: Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG
Telephone: 01452 337337
Email: admissions@thekingsschool.co.uk
Website: thekingsschool.co.uk
Social media: instagram.com/kingsschoolglos or facebook.com/KingsSchoolGlos.
