Set amidst the idyllic Yorkshire Dales, Giggleswick School offers a traditional British education with a clear set of principles: “Ambition, Respect, Participation.”
In a warm and nurturing environment, free from urban distractions, pupils are supported to unlock their full potential – to flourish, grow in confidence, and discover who they are.
The school occupies a vast, green, and flower-filled campus in the North of England.
At Giggleswick, the emphasis is on stability and consistency, while each pupil is helped to find their own individual path in close partnership with the staff. Wrong turns aren’t punished here – they are seen as part of the learning journey and a chance to explore new perspectives.
Every member of this tight-knit school community is committed to ensuring that all pupils – whether fast or slow learners – receive the individual encouragement they need to stay curious, try new things, and deepen their interests.
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
Age of Students: 11–18 years
Total Students: 450
Boarding Students: 60%
Sixth Form Students: 120
International Students: 16%
Average Sixth Form Class Size: 7
Boarding Fees per Term (Sixth Form): £15,125
Key Sports Offered (besides traditional team sports): Mountain biking, kayaking, cross-country running, climbing, camping, golf, shooting
Nearest Airports: Manchester (1.5 hours by car)https://www.giggleswick.org.uk
Key Strengths at a Glance
Wide range of outdoor activities
Set in idyllic countryside
Strong boarding community
Own school theatre
Giggleswick School – Photo Highlights
Giggleswick School in Detail
Outdoor Adventure and Sport
Giggleswick takes full advantage of its stunning natural surroundings and is renowned for its expansive outdoor education programme. Climbing, running, kayaking, mountaineering and mountain biking are all part of life here – a paradise for young adventurers who thrive in the open air. The sports programme is just as impressive, with a wide range of options including swimming, football, athletics, hockey, rugby, and more. Facilities include an on-site swimming pool and climbing wall.
Creative Arts
Excellence at Giggleswick isn’t confined to the classroom. The creative arts are also a key part of school life. The state-of-the-art school theatre stages up to ten major productions a year – including a Shakespeare play – and pupils can take part as actors or get involved behind the scenes learning stagecraft or even writing scripts. Musically talented pupils benefit from tuition delivered by graduates of the Royal Northern College of Music, with opportunities to develop both their instrumental skills and vocal talents. The art studio is equipped for painting, drawing, and ceramics, while the impressive design department features cutting-edge CAD/CAM software. Design and architecture students benefit from the school’s strong links with creative industry professionals, including former pupils who return to speak about careers in interior design, architecture, and product design.
Academic Life
Giggleswick combines forward-thinking, interdisciplinary teaching with a firm foundation in traditional British academic values. Pupils study GCSEs and A-Levels within a broad curriculum, which includes subjects such as Design & Technology, English Literature, Music and Singing, Business, Economics, Psychology, and languages including Spanish, French, German, and Latin. We particularly value the small class sizes – an average of just seven pupils – which means every student receives close attention. The results speak for themselves: in 2021/22, 47% of A-Level grades were top marks, and 90% of pupils secured places at their first-choice university.
Pastoral Life & Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Giggleswick is defined by tolerance, kindness, and a strong sense of community. Boarders live together on a beautiful, village-like campus. Pupils with learning differences receive expert support to reach their goals, while those with high academic ability are identified, stretched, and connected with like-minded peers. Even the quietest pupils are given space and support to come out of their shell. With a powerful mix of academic challenge and exhilarating outdoor education, Giggleswick is a true all-rounder. There are nearly eighty different co-curricular activities on offer – from first aid and gardening to Mandarin and astronomy – so every pupil can find something that suits their character.
Giggleswick School Fees
Fees at Giggleswick School are £15,125 per term or £45,375 per academic year.
This is Giggleswick
A Word from the Head
Sam E Hart
“I’m pleased to say that Giggleswick and Akademis have worked closely and harmoniously together ever since we met the agency’s founder, Martin Thierfelder, at ICEF in Berlin.
Over the years, Akademis has introduced us to bright and talented students who have flourished at Giggleswick – not only academically but also on the sports field and on stage.
The Akademis team are always professional and committed, and I know they present our school with accuracy and integrity to potential families.
They have proven to be reliable and consistent partners – even in challenging times – and we look forward to welcoming many more gifted young people through their excellent support.”
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What our clients say about us
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Conclusion: Giggleswick School
Giggleswick is a friendly, down-to-earth boarding school with a healthy balance of academic ambition and outdoor adventure.
We warmly encourage you to explore more English boarding schools with us.
At Akademis, we understand the unique personality of each school thanks to our long-standing relationships and regular visits.
Together, we’re confident we can help you find the right school for your child.
Explore more on our “Boarding Schools in England” page.
Why choose Akademis?
- First-hand, honest insights
- Strong links with school admissions teams
- Years of experience placing pupils successfully
- Step-by-step help with visas and administration
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.
