This warm and welcoming all-round boarding school has an impressive range of offerings – from its own cookery school to a formidable reputation in sport. Hockey players and equestrians in particular will feel right at home here.
Set on a spacious 20-hectare campus in the charming town of Cheltenham in the West of England, Dean Close School makes a striking first impression with its red-brick Victorian architecture. But beyond the buildings, it’s the genuine warmth and care for each individual that shines through – from weekly academic clinics offering on-the-spot help, to the enduring spirit of community that once nurtured Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones.
This all-rounder offers pupils rich academic and co-curricular opportunities. Whether it’s art, hockey, music of every genre, or even wine tasting, pupils thrive here. We’re particularly fond of the on-site cookery school, where pupils learn about nutrition, practical cooking, and the finer points of food and wine appreciation.
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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
Age of students: 2–18
Total number of students: 480
Boarding students: 60%
International students: 15%
Boarding fees for senior school per term: £19,150
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: hockey, horse riding, swimming, dance, shooting, golf, tennis, water polo, athletics
Nearest airports: Bristol (1 hour), London Heathrow (2 hours)
https://www.deanclose.org.uk
Key Strengths at a Glance
All-round boarding school
Own culinary school
Strong in sports, arts, and music
Diverse enrichment programs
Dean Close School – Photo Highlights
Dean Close School in Detail
Sport
It’s difficult to single out just one strength at Dean Close, but sport is undoubtedly a highlight. The school’s hockey teams regularly reach national finals, and their equestrian provision – from show jumping to dressage – is delivered under the respected British Horse Society framework. Polo is available at a nearby club, and alumni can be found competing in the Rugby Premiership and national hockey leagues.
Academics
Dean Close offers a broad and personalised academic programme, with pupils choosing from 28 subjects – ranging from the traditional to the niche. Alongside Greek, Latin and Psychology, students can pursue Theatre Studies and Product Design. Tech enthusiasts benefit from an enrichment programme offering Microsoft and Adobe certification. Budding athletes can earn a Sports Leader Level 3 qualification, and musicians may pursue a Music Diploma. The school boasts a 100% A-level pass rate, with 64% achieving A*–A grades in 2021 – an outstanding result by any standard.
The Arts
Creativity is taken seriously at Dean Close. Art, product design and technology are supported by outstanding studios and passionate teachers, with the BonBernard Gallery offering space for exhibition and inspiration. Students flourish in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and digital design. The school’s music life is equally rich, featuring professional-standard choirs and ensembles, with around 50 concerts staged each year. The 550-seat professional theatre is home to ambitious student productions, and a woodland amphitheatre adds an extra touch of magic.
Cookery School
Dean Close is the only school in Cheltenham with an official link to London’s renowned Leiths School of Food and Wine. Pupils can earn the industry-respected Basic Certificate in Food and Wine – gaining a foundation in both traditional and modern cookery. The course covers practical skills, food science, wine knowledge, budgeting, time management, and sustainable shopping – including how to cook creatively with store-cupboard staples and leftovers. We love this real-world preparation for life beyond school.
This is Dean Close School
Dean Close School Fees
Boarding fees at Dean Close are £19,150 per term, or £57,450 per academic year.
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Final Thoughts
Dean Close is a dynamic and diverse school with strengths across sport, music, and the arts – all delivered with genuine care and warmth.
That said, it is by no means the only school in the UK to offer such breadth. For tailored advice based on your child’s specific interests and personality, we invite you to get in touch. With our years of experience and close relationships with admissions teams, we can help you find the school that truly fits.
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.
- authentic, first-hand insights
- trusted links to admissions offices
- years of successful placements
- support with everything from visas to interviews
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.
