Blundell’s School is one of England’s most traditional boarding schools, with a history dating back to 1604.
The school is located in the small market town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, in South West England. The surrounding area is characterized by rolling hills, green landscapes, and a quiet, rural atmosphere that offers students plenty of space for physical activity and personal development. The campus, with its old buildings, large lawns, and modern facilities, feels almost „Hogwarts-like.“
At the same time, Blundell’s is a school that places great value on community and personal relationships. At the heart of its educational philosophy is the belief that young people need a strong foundation to develop their own goals and dreams. The school aims to help its students build meaningful relationships, value personal achievements, and discover their own passions.
Furthermore, its location in South West England offers exceptional opportunities for outdoor activities. Located a short distance away are several national parks, as well as the impressive coastlines of Devon and Cornwall, which are regularly integrated into the school’s leisure program.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Total number of students: 620
Age of students: 11–18
Boarding students: 50 %
International students: 17%
Boarding fees for senior school: £19,128
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: rugby, hockey, netball, cricket
Nearest airports: Exeter (30 min.), Bristol (1 hr.)
Key Strengths at a Glance
Very strong academic development with outstanding value-added
Beautiful 40-hectare campus in the Devon countryside
Exceptionally strong rugby program with links to the Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears
Diverse outdoor and leisure program thanks to its location near the coast and national parks
Blundell’s School – Photo Highlights
Blundell’s School in Detail
Academics
At Blundell’s School, students learn for life, not just for exams. The academic philosophy is driven by „intellectual curiosity“: students are encouraged to ask critical questions and think outside the box. What makes it special? Although the school is non-selective, students achieve results that place them among the best nationwide. Over 80% of A-Level grades consistently range from A* to B. The school’s academic development potential is particularly noteworthy. Blundell’s achieves outstanding „value added,“ meaning students make exceptionally strong academic progress relative to their starting levels. Nationwide, the school ranks 31st for progress from GCSE to A-Level. At the same time, cognitive assessments show that students achieve, on average, +0.65 A-Level grades and +0.55 GCSE grades per subject above the independent school average. A true highlight is the Science and Innovation Centre. Here, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comes to life—from robotics projects to national olympiads. Simultaneously, the curriculum remains broad: whether Latin, Mandarin, Design Technology, Drama, Philosophy, or Psychology, everyone finds their own individual path here.
Creativity & Music
When the curtain rises in the school’s own theater, or the school choir sings at Westminster Abbey, the creative energy of Blundell’s School becomes particularly palpable. Music plays an important role in school life: many students learn an instrument, sing in choirs, or participate in ensembles and school concerts. With over 30 music ensembles, as well as numerous performances and concerts, the school regularly provides young talents with the opportunity to showcase their skills to an audience and collaborate on musical projects. Diverse opportunities for creative expression also open up in art and drama. In the studios, young people experiment with different techniques and materials, guided by dedicated subject teachers who view art not as a minor subject, but as an important component of personal development. Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or through creative design, Blundell’s encourages its students to discover and further develop their artistic interests.
Sports & Rugby
Sport has a long tradition at Blundell’s School and plays an important role in everyday school life. Rugby, in particular, is legendary. With coaches who have international professional experience themselves and close partnerships with clubs like the Exeter Chiefs or Bristol Bears, Blundell’s offers a real pathway into professional sports for talented players. Notable alumni include Ben Coen, an Under-20 Rugby World Cup winner with England. Alongside rugby, hockey, netball, and cricket are among the school’s flagship sports. To support this sporting excellence, Blundell’s is currently investing four million pounds into its infrastructure. Students benefit from a modern sports center with artificial turf pitches, a swimming pool, and even state-of-the-art VALD testing equipment for professional performance analysis, typically only seen in elite sports. But whether an elite athlete or a recreational player, the focus is on team spirit, resilience, and the joy of movement—whether kayaking in the local area or horseback riding in the Devon countryside. For those looking for challenges beyond the major team sports, there is a huge and sometimes highly unusual selection available: from fencing, fives, and golf to sailing, mixed martial arts, American flag football, and yoga.
Leisure
Blundell’s School’s extracurricular program offers students numerous opportunities to try out new hobbies and discover their own interests. With over 50 different clubs—from astronomy and photography to an in-house darts league or mountain biking—there is something for every taste. The school’s location is fully utilized: proximity to several national parks and the impressive Devon coast enables a diverse outdoor program featuring hiking, climbing, kayaking, surfing, or shooting. Those who prefer creative pursuits can work in the school’s studios, learn an instrument, or try their hand at acting. Large annual theater productions and inter-house competitions also offer exciting challenges behind the scenes, such as in the technical crew. For students with clear career goals, academic societies for aspiring doctors, veterinarians, or Oxbridge applicants provide a valuable framework to engage with their interests beyond the curriculum.
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Conclusion
Blundell’s School combines over four hundred years of tradition with a modern educational approach and a strong boarding community. The school provides its students with an inspiring environment where academic achievements, sporting development, and personal growth are equally nurtured. The expansive campus, the exceptionally strong sporting tradition—particularly in rugby – and the impressive academic development of its students make Blundell’s a particularly exciting choice for young people looking for a traditional British boarding school with diverse opportunities. We are confident that together, we will find the right boarding school for your child.
We are confident that, together, we can find the right boarding school for your child. We’re also happy to advise you on other boarding schools in England. You’ll find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Benefit from:
- straightforward communication and support
- guidance on visa questions
- authentic insights from first-hand experience
- increased chances of admission thanks to our strong relationship with the school
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within your home country’s education system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
