With its array of sports academies, Buckswood School is a dream destination for young athletes – and for those who simply love to move. Rooted in values like honesty, humility and a family spirit, students at Buckswood grow in every sense: academically, socially and physically.
Just ten minutes from the historic seaside town of Hastings in southern England, Buckswood describes itself as a British-international school, and boasts a high proportion of international boarders. The school still houses original suits of armour and exudes a genuinely warm, village-like feel. To us, the entire campus felt like a lovingly crafted little community.
The dedicated team of teachers, house parents and mentors works to bring out hidden talents in every student. Given the range of opportunities on offer, the school is remarkably good value. We especially appreciate the admissions team – one of the quickest and friendliest in England. There’s always someone to speak to.
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
Number of students: 506
Boarders: 302
International students: 45%
Boarding fees per term: £ 12,485
The most important sports on offer besides the traditional team sports: football, archery, horseback riding, golf, fencing, dance, modern pentathlon, sailing
Nearest airports: London Gatwick (1 hour), Heathrow (1.5 hours)
https://www.buckswood.co.uk/
Key Strengths at a Glance
six different sports academies, including an equestrian academy
very down-to-earth environment
not just for top athletes
IB Diploma
Buckswood School– Photo Highlights
Buckswood School in Detail
Sport
Whether it’s football or rugby that excites you, the school’s Sports Academy – led by former professionals – pushes students to perform at their best. There’s also netball, riding, futsal and golf. The facilities include a swimming pool, indoor sports halls, playing fields, a dedicated riding centre and even a woodland outdoor adventure hub. Football training takes place five times a week. Buckswood competes at the top tier of English school football and regularly participates in regional, national and international competitions – it currently holds the U-15 national title. With eight horses in its stables and British Horse Society-qualified instructors, the riding academy completes an outstanding offering for aspiring athletes.
Music and the Arts
The creative arts are equally valued. Buckswood’s Performance Academy encompasses dance, drama and singing – and even features its own bagpipe academy. Music lessons are available for everything from woodwind and saxophone to cello and drums. Budding sculptors, too, will find expert guidance here. The school proudly takes part in the Hastings Music Festival each year, with its students – including the bagpipe band – showcasing their skills.
Academic Life
Buckswood offers both A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), with an average IB score of 33 points. The curriculum spans subjects such as IT, business, languages, history, art, maths and sciences. Beyond the classroom, the school excels with activities like debating clubs, virtual learning tools, well-equipped science labs, and the “Knowledge is Power” initiative. A standout feature is the school’s University Foundation Courses, designed to prepare students for academic life at university.
Clubs and Activities
Life at Buckswood is lively. The on-campus student café is open every day. Students enjoy trips to Canterbury, London, and nearby countryside, or compete in various school tournaments. There are clubs to sharpen minds and creativity – from debating and sign language to sushi-making and even wine brewing. Activities such as kickboxing, archery and fishing are also on offer. The school puts great emphasis on travel and cultural exchange. Recent trips have included skiing in the Alps, a cricket tour in the Netherlands, and an educational visit to Beijing. Freizeitwert in der Buckswood School ist hoch: Das Student Café auf dem Campus hat 7 Tage geöffnet. Die Schüler nehmen an Ausflügen nach Canterbury, London oder in die nähere Umgebung teil oder bestreiten im Team eines der zahlreichen Turniere. Debattierclubs laden dazu ein, das Denken und Sprechen zu schärfen. Buckswood verfügt außerdem über einzigartige Clubs, wie den Sushi-Club oder den Gebärdensprache-Club. Hier brauen die Schüler sogar selbst Wein! Auch Kickboxen, Bogenschießen und Angeln sind Teil des vielfältigen Angebots. Viel Wert wird außerdem auf Reisen gelegt, denn so können Schüler neue Kulturen kennenlernen und viele spannende Abenteuer erleben. Zu letzten Fahrten gehörten zum Beispiel ein Ski-Trip in die Alpen, eine Cricket Tour in die Niederlande oder ein Besuch in Beijing, China.
Words from the Heads
Kevin Samson (left) and Michael Shaw (right), Heads of Buckswood School:
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Martin and the team at Akademis over the past few years. They are passionate, well-organised, professional and a delight to work with. They collaborate effectively with us and with the families they support, ensuring every student they send to us is a great fit. These students quickly feel at home and become valued members of our community. Martin’s visit helped strengthen our partnership further, and we look forward to welcoming more students from Akademis in the years to come.”
Pupil Perspective
Madeleine
“When I arrived on a Sunday evening, I was warmly welcomed by the Housemistress – a young woman who showed me to my room and explained what to expect over the coming days. I quickly became part of the Buckswood community. The school organised plenty of activities and excursions. Personally, I loved the movie nights and the formal dinners. Everyone, from teachers to boarding staff, truly cared about the students’ wellbeing. What I found most enriching was the cultural diversity – I made friends from all over the world. The campus is surrounded by nature, and there are endless opportunities to get involved in sport or the arts. It’s not unusual to see a peacock, horse or chicken on the way to breakfast – or even have to shoo one out of the classroom!”
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
Buckswood School is truly one of a kind. One detail we particularly loved was the glass-fronted, open-door office of the Headmaster – always ready to listen. We had the pleasure of another warm conversation with the kind and charismatic Head, Kevin Samson, and an insightful interview with Football Director Trevor Bumstead. Once again, we were reminded that Buckswood is rightly considered one of the best football boarding schools in England – but it offers far more than just football.
Buckswood School Fees
Tuition and boarding at Buckswood School costs £12,485 per term, or £37,455 per year. A one-off registration fee of £300 applies.
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Conclusion Buckswood School
Set in a beautiful rural location, Buckswood School nurtures its students into confident, capable global citizens. Footballers, rugby players and golfers will thrive in the Sports Academy. But creative minds, performers and artists will also find their place and their voice here.
It’s one of many outstanding football boarding schools in the UK. If you’re considering a football-focused education, we’d be delighted to offer you tailored advice.
Why Families Choose Akademis
- Exclusive interviews with Buckswood’s Football Director
- Excellent working relationship with the Admissions Office
- Years of experience matching students with the right schools
- Guidance on visa processes and documentation
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 the German school 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.
