In the elegant white villa of Sidcot School, nestled in the beautiful county of Somerset, the Quaker values of compassion, respect and tolerance shape daily life. At this wonderfully creative school, these principles are not just ideals, but lived realities.
Sidcot stands for happy pupils. In its peaceful, open and supportive atmosphere, every child can flourish. Alongside a strong focus on emotional well-being and inspiring creativity, this IB school also offers rigorous teaching supported by the latest technology. Sidcot aims to provide its students with creative, intellectual and communal adventures that leave a lasting impact.
Because pupils here learn how to motivate themselves, they achieve above-average results. Sports and science also have their place, ensuring everyone can find something they love. Young equestrians who can’t bear to part with their horses will find understanding — and a wonderful stable. At the same time, the school instils social awareness and a sustainable mindset, helping students grow into responsible young adults.
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 pupils: 3–18
Total number of pupils: 471
Boarders: 28%
International pupils: 21%
Pupils in Sixth Form: 154
Average class size in Sixth Form: 9
Boarding fees per term: £15,930 (Sixth Form), £17,030 (Year 11)
Main sports in addition to traditional team games: riding, archery, fencing, water polo
Nearest airports: Bristol 20 min, London Heathrow 2 hrs
https://www.sidcot.org.uk/
Key Strengths at a Glance
Outstanding Art Department
IB Diploma
Modern & Digitally Equipped School
On-Campus Riding Stables
Sidcot School – Photo Highlights
Sidcot School in Detail
The Arts
At Sidcot, artists take centre stage, and the individuality of each pupil shines through. This idyllic school is officially recognised by the Arts Council as one of the best in the country for the arts. Whatever a creative student dreams of exploring, the opportunity is there: ceramics, media design, sculpture, video art, photography, painting — nothing is off limits. Budding musicians can also enjoy cutting-edge music technology in the school’s own recording studio, with plenty of support to develop their creative talents.
Beyond the Classroom
Sidcot is proud of its own riding stables, home to numerous horses — and yes, boarding pupils can even bring their own! Other activities include tending the school’s 150 hectares of organic farmland and gazing at the stars through the impressive school observatory. Students can also immerse themselves in theatre, radio and film, make jewellery, keep bees, cook, volunteer in the community or work on environmental projects. A particularly special feature is the yurt village on campus, where sixth-form students can retreat to study in peace.
Academic Strength
Sidcot doesn’t just excel in creativity — it also shines academically. The school boasts a 100% pass rate and offers both IB and A-Levels. Strong support is not limited to artists; mathematicians also benefit from particularly intense teaching, and linguists have an exceptional choice of languages. The IB programme includes subjects such as Economics, Visual Arts, Italian (in addition to Spanish, French and German) and Psychology. Teaching facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology, and digital learning is a given.
Sport
Sports at Sidcot are about passion and enjoyment rather than pressure. With a swimming pool and modern sports pitches, there are countless ways to get moving. We’re especially taken with the more unusual offerings such as trampolining, underwater hockey and dry-slope skiing — alongside the classics like athletics, football, tennis and golf. Fencing, water polo, archery and dance also have their fans.
A Word from the Headmaster
James Jones
“As Head of Sidcot School, it is a pleasure to continue our close collaboration with Akademis. This long-standing relationship has benefited an entire generation of pupils who, I am sure, will go on to become the leaders of tomorrow. Akademis’ professionalism, efficiency and focus on individual care mean that the right students are connected with us and recognised as individuals even before they join. In an ever-changing educational landscape, Akademis provides families with valuable insights and guidance, enabling young people to make the most of their education in the UK. I, for one, look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.”
Photos From Our Visit
Our Visit
We extend our sincere thanks to Ailsa, the international coordinator, for her impressive and welcoming tour. In addition to the school’s fantastic location and beautiful buildings, its reputation for outstanding art and design departments is well-deserved. The school’s excellent organisation was also striking: they even designed and provided their own face masks for pupils. We were also inspired by our enriching interview with the passionate Headmaster, Iain Kilpatrick.
Sidcot School – A Place of Inspiring Creativity
This is Sidcot
What our clients say about us
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Our Verdict: Sidcot School
Sidcot is a creative and friendly school in the UK.
However, it is by no means the only school in Britain offering excellent education. We encourage you to contact us for free advice tailored to your specific wishes and priorities. With years of experience and close relationships with schools, we understand what makes each one unique and can offer authentic insight.
We are confident we can find the right school for your child. You can browse an overview of options on our English boarding schools page.
With Akademis You Benefit From:
- A higher likelihood of acceptance at Sidcot
- Insightful video material with Headmaster Kilpatrick
- Authentic impressions of everyday life at Sidcot
- Our strong relationship with the Admissions Office
- Support with visa questions
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.
