Nestled in the north-western county of Lancashire, Rossall School has stood proudly since 1844 on a stunning 65-hectare historic campus on the beautiful coastline of the Irish Sea. Here, a fresh breeze is always blowing — and that’s true in more ways than one.
This distinguished independent school, housed in magnificent red-brick buildings, truly is a global village. Pupils from up to 50 nationalities live together on campus, enriching the British way of life with their cultures and colours. Known for its wide array of extracurricular opportunities and outstanding pastoral care, Rossall provides students with a second home where they can pursue all their interests.
Many pupils aim for the IB Diploma before moving on to top universities. During our visit, we were struck by the school’s family-like atmosphere and the warm, genuine interactions everywhere we turned.
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 range: 11-18
Number of students: 512
Boarders: 50%
International students: 40%
Students in Sixth Form: 193
Average class size: 10
Boarding fees per term: £ 18.216 – £ 19.026
Main sports activities besides traditional team sports: tennis, climbing, mountain biking, swimming, golf, squash.
Nearest airports: Manchester, Liverpool, each 1 hour away.
Key strengths at a glance
Extensive leisure activities
Right by the water
Family-like atmosphere
Rossall School – Photo Highlights
Rossall School in detail
Extracurricular Life
The afternoon programme is impressive. Whether it’s astrophysics, chess, film, or literature club — everyone finds something to ignite their passion. In the music and theatre school and the light-filled art studios, creative minds thrive, while budding scientists explore the school’s own Astronomy and Space Science Centre. Rossall even has its own farm with rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and chickens. Travel and excursions are also integral to the experience: geographical fieldwork in the woods, art trips to Edinburgh, science tours to Iceland, concert tours to Texas, sports tournaments in Andalusia — these trips set Rossall apart in a truly unique way.
Academic Life
Attentive tutors help students achieve their goals, encouraging independent research and critical thinking. The broad curriculum ranges from Spanish and Mandarin to business and literature. Long before most other British boarding schools, Rossall established its own international study centre. Pupils can choose between the IB and A-Levels. Of those who go on to UK universities, an impressive 60% head to Russell Group and other top-20 institutions.
Sport
The state-of-the-art sports centre boasts extensive playing fields, a climbing wall, golf academy, and an elite football programme for both girls and boys. Dance, rugby, and shooting are just part of the rich offering. Water sports enthusiasts are particularly well catered for: diving, sailing, canoeing, swimming, and water polo are all on offer. There is also a unique tradition: Ross Hockey, a dynamic mix of rugby and hockey played on the beach. Of course, traditional rugby and hockey are played too, and several alumni have gone on to professional careers in rugby, hockey, and cricket.
Pastoral Care & Ethos
At Rossall, education is about more than just outstanding grades — it’s about nurturing the whole person. The school’s expansive grounds and sensitive pastoral care offer the perfect environment for children to flourish emotionally and socially. Student happiness is never secondary here; the aim is for pupils to leave self-assured, kind, and resilient, with a strong sense of emotional intelligence. In the seven boarding houses, houseparents and a dedicated pastoral team ensure every child feels at home. International students quickly feel part of “their” house family.
Our Visit
„My biggest problem at this school is having so many activities to choose from that I can never decide,“ one student told us during our tour — a sentiment that beautifully confirmed our own impressions. We were also impressed by the food: from classic British dishes to healthy snacks and sweet treats, everyone finds a new favourite here.
A heartfelt thank-you to Gillian for the delightful tour and to the Headmaster for the warm and engaging interview.
Photos from our visit
Our Meeting with Rossall School
What our clients say about us
Get a free consultation and find out more about Rossall School
From a Student’s Perspective
Lucia
„During my first stay abroad at Rossall, I had so many new experiences and I made many new international friends — from France to Bangladesh to Brazil. The teachers were supportive from the very start, helping me adapt to the new school system. My houseparents made sure I felt at home, so I never even felt homesick. Each day was full, from morning to evening: registration in tutor groups at 8:30 am, classes until 4:15 pm, then all sorts of activities. After dinner and two hours of prep, we could meet up with friends from other houses. I especially loved the sunsets and hours spent in the day-room. My time wasn’t over after three months — I came back in September to pursue my IB Diploma. Akademis Internatsberatung were incredibly supportive and committed to finding the right school for me from the start!“
A Word from the Headmaster
Jeremy Quartermain
„Martin and the whole Akademis team offer families considering a British boarding education an exceptional level of service. Their deep knowledge of the independent school sector is matched by their commitment to finding the ‘perfect match’ for each child. Akademis invests considerable time in getting to know both the schools and the children they place — their attention to detail is second to none. It is always a pleasure to work with Martin and the team as trusted partners.“
This ist Rossal
Conclusion
Pupils at this beautiful school in its coastal paradise can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere and countless opportunities to discover and develop their talents.
However, there are many other outstanding boarding schools in England offering excellent benefits as well. We warmly encourage you to explore further and would be delighted to advise you personally. Thanks to our longstanding relationships with schools, we understand their unique qualities and can provide authentic insights.
We are confident that, together, we can find the right boarding school for your child.
Why choose us?
- Genuine first-hand insights
- Excellent relationships with admissions offices
- Years of placement experience
- Friendly, straightforward communication
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.
