Ruthin School
Ruthin School is a girls boarding and day school in Ruthin, Denbighshire, educating pupils aged 11 - 18 and founded in 1284. Boarding fees are £18,276 - £18,276 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Girls boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 11 - 18
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Ruthin
The story, ethos and character of Ruthin.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Head
- Ms Frances King
Here at Ruthin School, we the child at the centre of all that we do. Every student is known, supported and stretched - both academically and personally. We offer a broad and ambitious curriculum that promotes intellectual confidence, independence and curiosity.
As a High Performance Learning (HPL) school, we are embedding a research-informed framework that supports every student to reach exceptional academic standards - not just the most able. Our Sixth Formers go on to leading universities in the UK and globally, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and other top Russell Group destinations.
Many progress to highly competitive courses in Medicine, Engineering, Economics and Law.
Set in the historic market town of Ruthin, our community is proudly international - a where students from a wide range of countries, cultures and backgrounds learn from and with one another. These are exciting times at Ruthin School. With new leadership and a clear vision for the future, we remain committed to offering an outstanding and forward-looking education - one that equips our students with the knowledge, values and mindset to thrive in a fast-changing world.
What the school is known for? Ruthin School is one of the oldest schools in the UK, founded in 1284. Today, it is known for academic ambition, excellent university outcomes and a warm, inclusive boarding environment. Set in the Vale of Clwyd - recently named one of The Times' Best Places to Live in 2025 - our school enjoys a peaceful, semi-rural setting with easy access to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester.
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Academics at Ruthin
What pupils study at Ruthin — and where it takes them.
such as Further Mathematics, Electronics, Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textiles, and Photography at A Level cross-disciplinary thinking and innovative problem-solving. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), students follow a broad and balanced curriculum designed to build strong foundations across a wide range of subjects.
This stage develops essential skills, curiosity, and readiness for the academic rigour of GCSEs. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11), all students take core subjects including Mathematics, English Language and Literature, and Science. These are complemented by a wide selection of optional subjects leading to GCSE and IGCSE qualifications.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
Once again, Ruthin School students have secured places at some of the UK's most competitive universities, including Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, London School of Economics, Durham, and Bath, as well as international institutions such as the University of Toronto. This past year's offers span a wide range of disciplines - from medicine, law and engineering to economics, architecture, and the arts - reflecting the academic ambition and individuality of our students.
We are proud of each and every one of them! Bath - Aerospace Engineering Bath Spa - Architecture Birmingham - Culinary Arts Cambridge - Natural Sciences City, University of London - Business Management Durham - History Durham - Law University of East London - Aeronautical Engineering Edinburgh - Chemistry Exeter - Computer Science Glasgow - Pharmacology Hull - Sports & Exercise Nutrition Imperial College London - Biomedical Engineering Imperial College London - Molecular Bioengineering Imperial College London - Biomedical Sciences King's College London - Biomedical Sciences Keele - Data Science with Applied Business Keele - Astrophysics and Computer Science Kent - Actuarial Science Lancaster - Geography Lancaster - Mechanical Engineering Lancaster - Accounting and Finance Leeds - Law Liverpool - Sociology London Metropolitan - Human Nutrition London School of Economics - Mathematics with Economics Manchester - Geography Manchester - Social Science Manchester - Public Health Manchester - Mathematics Manchester - Aerospace Engineering Newcastle - Computer Science Newcastle - Medicine Oxford - Mathematics Oxford - Mathematics Queen's University Belfast - Medicine Queen's University Belfast - Politics and Philosophy Reading - Languages and Business Reading - Pharmaceutical Chemistry Sunderland - Pharmacy Sussex - Business Management University College London (UCL) - Pharmacy University College London (UCL) - Physics University College London (UCL) - Physics Warwick - Mathematics Warwick - Economics and Global Sustainable Development York - Law Overseas University Destinations (2024 Entry)University of Illinois - Business University of Newcastle (Australia) - Physiotherapy University of Toronto - Life Sciences
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Ruthin
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Ruthin.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 2, Boys 2, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- No
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
Our boarding staff are experienced and led by Struan Hellier, Head of Boarding, who brings over 25 years of experience in UK and international education. Formerly of Shrewsbury School and the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong, Struan is deeply committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.
Each house has a dedicated houseparent who acts in loco parentis for the students living there, supporting them in their day-to-day lives and helping them settle, make friends and flourish socially. Our friendly boarding team provides advice, guidance and a listening ear whenever it's needed.
A genuine home away from home
Boarding is central to life at Ruthin School. It shapes the rhythm of the day, strengthens friendships across year , and creates a sense of belonging that extends well beyond the classroom. Our four boarding houses are supported by dedicated House Parents and Boarding Assistants.
The Head of Boarding lives on site and plays an active role in students' wellbeing and daily life. Importantly, all teaching staff are attached to a boarding house, spending time on duty in the evenings and building strong, natural relationships with students through shared routines and informal .
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Ruthin admissions
How children join Ruthin, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
We offer short-term boarding placements for younger students in Years 8, 9 and 10, providing an ideal immersion experience in British school life. Students can join us for two weeks or more, with flexible entry points throughout the year. This is a popular option for those considering longer-term study in the UK, allowing them to experience our academic approach, boarding life, and the supportive Ruthin community first-hand.
Our boarding taster programme is available at a competitive fee, and we often find that students who attend go on to join the school full-time. For more information, please contact our friendly admissions team admissions@ruthinschool. co. uk Special notes to agents about entry to the school We accept new applications throughout the school year.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Ruthin fees & funding
What Ruthin costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Ruthin.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Ruthin against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Ruthin location & travel
Where Ruthin is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address Mold Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1EE, Wales Airport transfer An hour away, airport transfers are provided on the published travel days at the beginning and end of each term to and from Manchester and Liverpool airports.
Travel time to London by train Less than 3 hours Telephone +44 (0)1824 702543 Website https://www. ruthinschool. co. uk/ +6 photos Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Manchester 52 60 2. Liverpool John Lennon 59 60 3.
Inside Ruthin
Ruthin — frequently asked questions
Where is Ruthin?
How much are Ruthin boarding fees?
What ages does Ruthin take?
Is Ruthin co-educational?
When was Ruthin founded?
Does Ruthin require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Ruthin?
What qualifications does Ruthin offer?
Does Ruthin support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Ruthin have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Ruthin?
Does Ruthin have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Ruthin?
Does Ruthin accept international students?
How much does Ruthin cost?
What's included in Ruthin's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Ruthin?
Considering Ruthin for your child?
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