Sedbergh is the perfect school for riders, sailors and mountain bikers – a true paradise for those who thrive on outdoor adventure. What’s especially exciting is that nearly all pupils are full boarders, which means there’s always something happening on campus!
Nestled in the rolling Yorkshire Dales of northern England, Sedbergh School is beautifully located for those who love the outdoors. Set in rugged, open, and sparsely populated countryside, it offers a dream setting for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
With around 550 pupils, Sedbergh is a medium-sized boarding school. An impressive 95% of students live on site seven days a week. This high proportion of boarders – most of them British – creates a uniquely strong sense of community.
Pupils are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, whether it’s by pushing themselves academically, joining one of the many school choirs, or taking on a wild outdoor challenge.
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
Total number of students: 550
Boarding students: 95%
Students in the Sixth Form: 220
International students: 19%
Average class size in Sixth Form: 1:8
Boarding fees for senior school per term: £18,431
The most important sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: sailing, shooting, golf, athletics, tennis
Nearest airports: Manchester (1.5 hours), Leeds (1.5 hours)
https://www.sedberghschool.org
Key Strengths at a Glance
Excellent outdoor program
Full boarding school
High proportion of British students
22 choirs
Sedbergh School – Photo Highlights
Sedbergh School in Detail
Outdoor Adventure
Very few schools in the UK can match Sedbergh for outdoor experiences. From fishing and kayaking to sailing and rowing – there’s plenty of fresh air and physical activity on offer. Pupils can also explore caving, shooting, mountain biking and horse riding, all as part of the regular programme. The school has its own stables, complete with an outdoor arena, 25 hectares of trails, and a jumping field. Sedbergh’s equestrian team regularly wins competitions and often produces national champions. One feature we particularly admire: expert instructors lead small-group adventures in survival skills, raft-building and navigation, giving pupils hands-on experience in the wild.
Creative Arts
Creative pupils will feel right at home here. Alongside subjects like design, drawing and photography, the school stages a musical every two years in partnership with the Brewery Arts Centre in nearby Kendal. Sedbergh also has its own 100-seat theatre, where students can explore all aspects of performance – from acting to costume-making, set design and props. Musically, the school is just as impressive: over 60 concerts a year, 22 choirs, and a wealth of ensembles and orchestras mean every talent has a place to shine.
Academic Life
That strong sense of community is just as visible in the classroom. Teachers are available for one-to-one support in the evenings and even at weekends. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including Art, History, Drama, Music, English and French – and also offers more specialist options such as Agriculture, Product Design and TV Journalism. The school also places a strong emphasis on practical learning, with excursions, talks and workshops built into the academic programme. The results speak for themselves: in 2021, around 50% of A-level grades were A*-A.
Sport and Co-curricular Life
With more than 30 sports on offer, Sedbergh is known nationally for its excellence in Rugby. It is also a top-performing hockey school and feared opponent on the national stage. Other popular sports include Netball, Cross-country, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. Girls enjoy options such as Aerobics, Badminton and Ballet, while boys often shine in Football, Golf or Cricket. Beyond sport, there’s a rich variety of clubs and creative outlets: design and jewellery workshops, debating, windsurfing, water polo and table tennis – just to name a few. Volunteering and community service are also key parts of the school experience.
Sedbergh School Fees
Boarding fees for Sixth Form students are £18,431 per term, or £55,290 per academic year. There is also a one-time registration fee of £125.
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Final Thoughts
Sedbergh is a full-boarding school with exceptional outdoor opportunities and a tightly-knit community.
That said, it is far from the only British boarding school offering outstanding experiences. We warmly encourage you to explore other options too. We’re here to guide you through every step – with first-hand insights, excellent relationships with admissions teams, and years of experience matching students with schools where they can truly thrive.
We’re confident we’ll find the right school for your child. You can browse an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
What we offer:
- First-hand insight into each school
- Trusted relationships with admissions offices
- Years of experience in school placement
- Support with visas and logistics
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.
