West Buckland School is an all-round school nestled in the countryside, delighting students with fantastic opportunities for nature-lovers and budding artists. It has a high proportion of British pupils, and excellent facilities for Sixth Formers.
Founded in 1858, this boarding school sits on a 36-hectare campus in the south-west of England, in the tranquil countryside of North Devon. Just minutes from both Exmoor National Park and the coast, the school makes full use of its idyllic surroundings through an impressive Outdoor Learning programme. Here, children grow beyond themselves as they kayak, mountain bike and surf in stunning natural settings.
With around 85% of students being British, international pupils are fully immersed in English language and culture. The school combines its historic charm with modern innovation: a brand-new boarding house exclusively for Sixth Formers, a state-of-the-art Art and Design centre, and a new library and study hub all demonstrate its forward-thinking character. Young artists, in particular, thrive here thanks to outstanding support and facilities.
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 of boarders: 8–18 years
Number of pupils: 655
International pupils: 15%
Boarding fees per term: £16,635 (Years 7–11) – £17,922 (Years 12–13)
Main sports on offer in addition to traditional team sports: tennis, swimming, dance, rugby, cricket, netball
Nearest airports: Exeter (60 minutes), Bristol (90 minutes), London Heathrow (3 hours)
Key Strengths at a Glance
Outdoor Learning Programme
Very British character
Modern Art and Design Centre
Parkers – modern boarding house exclusively for Sixth Formers
West Buckland School – Photo Highlights
West Buckland School in Detail
Creative Arts
West Buckland is especially renowned for its Art and Design offerings. In the spectacular “150 Building” – a £5 million project – creative students find everything their artistic hearts desire. Sixth Formers enjoy their own studio and art library, making it a haven for aspiring designers, architects, and artists. Drama and dance are equally popular, with classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and street dance. Music here is all about enjoyment and participation. Alongside individual lessons, students are encouraged to join ensembles — with a dazzling choice of concert bands, chamber orchestras, choirs, jazz bands, and a symphony orchestra, there is something to inspire every musician.
Academic Excellence
With an impressive 53% of A-Level grades at A*-A, West Buckland ranks among the strongest schools academically in the south-west. Over 60% of leavers secure places at Russell Group universities. The choice of subjects is broad, ranging from Product Design and Business to Drama, Psychology, and more. Intriguing BTECs — like Digital Music Production, E-Sports, and Outdoor Leadership — are also available. The new Michael Morpurgo Library and Study Centre offers spacious study rooms, library and computer facilities, a dedicated Sixth Form area, and a careers and university advice centre. Since 2023, the school also offers the IB Career-related Programme.
Sport and Outdoor Education
Sporty and nature-loving, West Buckland offers a wealth of outdoor opportunities all year round: climbing, surfing, kayaking and canoeing, horse-riding, mountain biking, conservation work, archery, and more. Students can also undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Award or take on the Ten Tors Challenge. Within the timetable, they can choose from a wide range of sports including hockey, rugby, netball, tennis, athletics, and swimming. Additional activities — like basketball, badminton, squash, football, and yoga — are available too. On campus, students have access to a fitness studio, a 25-metre swimming pool, a 9-hole golf course, an outdoor activity centre, extensive playing fields, squash and tennis courts, and even two shooting ranges.
Boarding and Leisure
The school takes great pride in its new Sixth Form boarding house, Parkers. With 70 single rooms (all en-suite) and inviting communal spaces, it offers Sixth Formers a warm and supportive home. West Buckland’s shortlist recognition in the TES Independent School Awards 2022 further attests to its superb facilities. At weekends, activities include surfing, horse-riding, tennis, and trips to nearby towns. Students also enjoy visiting cultural landmarks like Exeter Cathedral or London’s Tate Modern. The extra-curricular programme is wonderfully diverse, offering creative writing, sign language, chess, animation, gymnastics, and much more.
This is West Buckland School
West Buckland School Fees
Fees are £16,635 per term for Years 7–11, and £17,922 per term for Years 12–13. There is also a one-off registration fee of £85.
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In Summary: West Buckland School
West Buckland School is a rural boarding school best known for its outstanding Art and Design provision.
That said, it is far from the only British boarding school with such an inspiring offering. We strongly encourage you to explore other excellent schools too — we are happy to advise you further and introduce you to many more outstanding options!
With years of direct contact with these schools, we understand their unique character and can offer authentic insights.
We are confident that, together, we can find the perfect school for your child.
You can find an overview on our Boarding Schools in England page.
Take advantage of:
- Authentic first-hand insights
- Our strong relationships with Admissions Offices
- Years of experience in school placement
- Guidance on 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.
