Whether gifted or in need of learning support, every child at Pangbourne College is encouraged to thrive at their own level. And for rowing enthusiasts, this is a school with serious pedigree.
Whether gifted or in need of learning support, every child at Pangbourne College is encouraged to thrive at their own level. And for rowing enthusiasts, this is a school with serious pedigree.
Set in beautiful English countryside just 40 kilometres south of Oxford, the red-brick buildings of Pangbourne College stand proud on a 230-acre campus, a school that has been honoured multiple times with visits from The Queen.
The site is vast, with space for riding, golf, and much more – but it is rowing that gives Pangbourne its sporting reputation.
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: 11–19
Number of students: 450
Boarders: 50%
International students: 20%
Boarding fees for Sixth Form per term: £17,928
Key sports besides traditional team sports: rowing, riding, climbing, sailing, golf, swimming in the school pool
Nearest airports: London Heathrow (30 min)
https://www.pangbourne.com
Key Strengths at a Glance
strong in rowing
support for both gifted and struggling students
modern music department
close to London
Pangbourne College – Photo Highlights
Pangbourne College in Detail
Rowing and Sport
With 14 different sports offered against the backdrop of an idyllic rural landscape, sport at Pangbourne is a major strength. Its rowing programme is one of the most successful in the country, welcoming both seasoned athletes and beginners. Pupils train on a dedicated six-kilometre stretch of the River Thames, and the school has won the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley four times – a rare achievement. Other popular sports include swimming, sailing, equestrianism, cricket and rugby. Sports teams regularly tour abroad, with recent trips to the Netherlands, Gibraltar, South Africa and Barbados.
Music and the Arts
Pangbourne’s music department is forward-looking, boasting its own recording studio, numerous practice rooms, and three Steinway pianos – the school is officially an ‘All Steinway’ institution. Budding musicians can join bands, choirs or orchestras, while those interested in music production can explore new frontiers in the music technology suite. Creativity extends beyond music. Pupils take part in annual drama productions and enjoy facilities for photography, textiles and design technology. Design trips include the Clerkenwell Design Week and even behind-the-scenes visits to the workshops of Land Rover, Morgan and Mini.
Academics and All-Round Development
In the classroom, lessons are brought to life with hands-on experiences and educational visits. Whether a student is enrolled in the High Potential Achiever Programme or receives targeted support for specific learning needs, the school ensures everyone is seen and supported. The Learning Support department is staffed by specialists in areas such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. Pangbourne offers a wide range of subjects, including Business, Media Studies, Theatre and Film – and the results speak for themselves: 72% of leavers secure places at top UK universities, including Oxford, Durham and Exeter.
Life Outside the Classroom
After classes, the choice is huge: students might explore politics, take up shooting, start a business, or delve into French culture. Clubs range from the school’s own smallholding to a thriving maths society. Even a Wine Society meets on Tuesday evenings – here, senior students learn to pair wine with food, and appreciate everything from table wines to Champagne. What we find especially impressive is the school’s commitment to service. Every two years, students travel to the Nabugabo Community Learning Centre in Uganda, where they contribute to meaningful local projects and support the surrounding community.
Pangbourne College Fees
Full boarding fees at Pangbourne College are £17,928 per term, or £53,784 per academic year.
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Final Thoughts: Pangbourne College
Pangbourne College is a warm, supportive school with a proud rowing tradition and a real commitment to nurturing students of all abilities. But it’s not the only UK school offering a strong academic programme and outstanding co-curricular opportunities.
If you’re curious about finding the right school for your child – be it for rowing, academic enrichment, learning support or something else entirely – we’d be delighted to offer you tailored advice. Our experience, longstanding school partnerships and first-hand insight mean we can help you make a confident and informed decision.
Explore more of our recommended UK boarding schools on our dedicated Boarding Schools in England page.
With Akademis, you benefit from:
- First-hand insight into schools
- Trusted relationships with admissions teams
- Years of placement experience
- Friendly advice on visas and applications
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.
