West Buckland School
West Buckland School is a co-ed boarding and day school in Barnstaple, Devon, educating pupils aged 3 - 18 and founded in 1858. Boarding fees are £11,750 - £17,922 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 9 - 18
- Ethos
- Christian
- Guardian required
- Yes
About West Buckland
The story, ethos and character of West Buckland.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Christian
- Head
- Mrs Helen Lowe
West Buckland School, founded in 1858, is an independent day and boarding school situated on 90 acres of stunning North Devon countryside in the South West of England. The school was recently a finalist in the 2025 Innovation in Education Award from Talk Education, and in 2024 for the Muddy Stilletos Best Schools Awards.
Teaching is both challenging and stimulating, with the school providing a strong academic education. This leads to the overwhelming majority of West Buckland sixth formers progressing to their first-choice universities and courses. A significant proportion secure places at the most competitive, highly respected, and research-intensive Russell Group institutions.
The school recognises the need to develop a broader set of skills in its pupils, and our Character Education programme aims to make students 'future ready' for the workplace.
In 2011, we opened the 150 Art and Design building, which is one of the best facilities in the country. Students come from around the world to study Art and many will progress to some of the best art colleges in the world. Art scholarships are available at all ages.
Students also benefit from exceptional opportunities in sport, music, the performing arts and outdoor activities which are all an important part of school life. International students are an important part of our strong and -knit school community.
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Academics at West Buckland
What pupils study at West Buckland — and where it takes them.
listed on our subject page, we also offer: Core Maths BTEC Creative Digital Media BTEC Outdoor Leadership BTEC E-Sports GCSE Combined Science Many students join us with the intention of gaining qualifications to secure entry into UK universities and we have an excellent track record in helping our international students secure places at some of the most prestigious and highly competitive institutions.
Other students join us on shorter term programmes, ranging from a few weeks to one year, where the main focus is to develop their English skills and experience studying in a British school. A-levels: Students from around the world join West Buckland each year to study A-levels.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
Many students join us with the intention of gaining qualifications to secure entry into UK universities. We have an excellent track record in helping our international students secure places at some of the most prestigious and highly competitive institutions on a wide range of courses.
Over the last three years, well over 70% of our international students have taken places at universities in the Russell Group, often recognized as some of the best universities in the UK. All A-level students at West Buckland benefit from first class advice and from the Head of Sixth Form, the Head of HE and Careers Guidance and our team of tutors who possess a wealth of experience in these important areas.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at West Buckland
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at West Buckland.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 0, Boys 0, Mixed 2
- Exeat weekends
- No
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
The boarding community at West Buckland is developing and growing. We have a lively and cosmopolitan boarding community from a range of nationalities and all students are very much part of an authentic English speaking, British school environment, with around 85% of the overall school roll made up of students from the UK.
Our Sixth Form Boarding House that opened in Autumn 2015 and provides the social facilities for all Sixth Form day and boarding students, which allows day and boarding students to interact and integrate together easily. UK weekly boarders are also an important part of our community.
A genuine home away from home
Our boarding houses provide modern and spacious accommodation. Girls aged 11-16 live in Bamfylde, whilst boys aged 11-16 live in Boyer. In September 2015, our sixth form girls and boys aged 16-18 moved into our brand new Sixth Form Boarding House that provides 70 ensuite, single rooms along with a variety of social spaces.
It provides some of the best boarding facilities for 16-18 year olds in the South West of England. Gables has been meticulously designed to provide a warm, cosy, and inviting atmosphere for our younger boarders. IT offers accommodation for up to 24 pupils aged 8 to 11.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
West Buckland admissions
How children join West Buckland, 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
Entering for the beginning of Year 9 is a popular option if you are looking for a long term study . Year 9 students are aged 13 by the 1st September of the Academic Year in which they wish to start study. Many of our Asian students choose to start at this time, staying with us for 5 years, through GCSE and A Levels.
Year 9 provides the student with the opportunity to experience all subjects, before needing to reduce this down to their GCSE options. They will know if they truly enjoy a subject and if they have a particular skill for a subject. Students also join at the beginning of Year 10 to study GCSE or Year 12 to study A Level and IBCP.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
West Buckland fees & funding
What West Buckland 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 West Buckland.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare West Buckland against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
West Buckland location & travel
Where West Buckland is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address West Buckland School, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0SX, England Airport transfer We run a free London Heathrow pick up and drop off service. For all airport transport services please contact the school for information. Travel time to London by train Less than 3 hours Telephone +44 (0) 1598 760000 Website https://westbuckland.
com/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Exeter 50 60 2. Bristol 80 90 3. London Heathrow 195 210 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. Barnstaple 7 15 2. Tiverton 30 35 Local accommodation Huxtable Farm (Bed and Breakfast) Tel: 0044 (0) 1598 760254 www.
Inside West Buckland
West Buckland — frequently asked questions
Where is West Buckland?
How much are West Buckland boarding fees?
What ages does West Buckland take?
Is West Buckland co-educational?
When was West Buckland founded?
Does West Buckland require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at West Buckland?
What qualifications does West Buckland offer?
Does West Buckland support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does West Buckland have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at West Buckland?
Does West Buckland have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to West Buckland?
Does West Buckland accept international students?
How much does West Buckland cost?
What's included in West Buckland's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is West Buckland?
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