On the rugged shores of the Isle of Man lies one of the most prestigious IB schools in the British Isles. Students aiming for the International Baccalaureate find tailored support and an inspiring environment here.
The Isle of Man itself attracts visitors from around the world with its rocky coastline, medieval castles, and unspoilt countryside. Perched right on the picturesque waterfront, next to the historic capital Castletown and in a safe and welcoming setting, King William’s College commands a prime location — and the island airport is just two minutes away by car!
The 15-hectare campus is centred around a magnificent 19th-century school building, framed by expansive sports facilities, green spaces, and two charming boarding houses. With nearly two centuries of history, the school combines tradition with modern, forward-thinking programmes: IB, IGCSE and Pre-IB. Around 400 pupils enjoy a warm, family-like community where mutual support is embedded in the culture. With just 14% of students coming from abroad, King William’s truly is a hidden British gem.
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
Student ages: 11–18
Percentage of boarding students: 25%
Percentage of international students: 14%
Number of nationalities represented: 20
Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:8
Boarding fees per term: £14,220 (Years 9–11), £15,000 (Years 12–13)
Key sports in addition to traditional team sports: golf, swimming, mountain biking, rugby, athletics, football, fitness, cricket, water polo, dance, basketball, hockey, netball, tennis, rounders, badminton, cross-country, table tennis, yoga
Nearest airport: Isle of Man Airport (Ronaldsway Airport) – 2 minutes by car, 10 minutes on foot
Key Strengths at a Glance
IB school
Unique location on the Isle of Man
Airport within walking distance
High proportion of British students
King William’s College – Photo Highlights
King William’s College in Detail
Academic Life
Class sizes are reassuringly small — about 15 pupils per class, and only 10 per class in the Sixth Form — allowing for personal attention. The course offerings are broad, including career-focused BTECs alongside academic pathways. Students preparing for the IB benefit from the two-year IGCSE or one-year Pre-IB programmes, with graduates guaranteed a coveted place on the IB Diploma programme itself. Around 95% of students go on to universities in the UK and beyond, and the international qualification opens doors to the academic world.
Performing Arts
Music and drama are at the heart of life at King William’s. Budding musicians can join choirs, ensembles, and take individual lessons, while creative talents shine in the school’s impressive annual productions — recent shows include Sweeney Todd, Macbeth, and Mary Poppins. Students explore acting, set design, painting, and teamwork through these performances. A highlight of the autumn term is the House Drama Festival, where self-devised productions take to the stage after seven weeks of intense rehearsals. Pupils can also showcase their talents in speech, drama, and music at the celebrated annual Manx Music Festival.
Sport
If you love cycling or golf, you’ll be in heaven here. The Isle of Man is famed for its mountain-biking trails of all levels, including the challenging climb to Barrule and thrilling coastal descents. Right next to the school is the 6km Castletown Golf Course, with breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and a legendary tee-shot over open water. Beyond that, the school offers an impressive range of sports — football, athletics, hockey, dance, basketball, swimming, tennis, and more. The sporting calendar’s highlights include the traditional annual triathlon and the College Bay Swim, where students tackle an 800-metre swim across Derbyhaven Bay.
Enrichment & Leadership
The extracurricular offering is equally rich — from Model United Nations and sewing to history clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Students are encouraged to embrace community spirit, teamwork, and responsibility through initiatives like the Charity Challenge, Peer Mentoring, and the Junior Achievement Company Programme. Ambitious pupils are invited to take on leadership roles such as being Head of School or House Captain. Friendly inter-house competition is a hallmark of school life, with houses vying for the coveted Kelly Trophy in sport, music, drama, and debating. But there is also space for quiet reflection — in the beautiful St Thomas Chapel, or during family-style dinners in the boarding houses.
The Head’s Perspective
Damian Henderson
This is King William’s College
What our clients say about us
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In Summary: King William‘s College
King William’s College is a strong academic IB boarding school on the Isle of Man — but it is far from the only school in Britain delivering excellent results. We encourage you to discuss your family’s specific wishes and expectations with us so we can guide you towards the right school. With our years of experience, close relationships with schools, and authentic, first-hand insights, we can help you find the perfect fit for your child.
We are also happy to advise you on other boarding schools in England — an overview can be found on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Our expertise includes:
- Authentic, first-hand knowledge of schools
- Excellent relationships with admissions offices
- Years of experience in student placement
- Help with visa queries
Feel free to get in touch — we look forward to supporting you!
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.
