Best Boarding Schools for Watersports
Our shortlist — 20 schools
Ranked by the strength of each school's genuine, evidenced specialism — not by fee or popularity.
Dauntsey's
One of the most famous vessels of her kind in the world, she has been sailed and maintained by Dauntsey’s pupils for nearly fifty years
Headington Rye Oxford
have won the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta three of the five times it has taken place
Pangbourne College
Pangbourne is one of the most successful rowing schools in Great Britain. Rowing is one of the three leading sports at the College
Royal Hospital
it has become a Centre of Excellence for Sailing with unrivalled provision and opportunity for sailing
Ryde
We are one of the top three sailing schools in the UK and proudly won both the 1st and 2nd places of the latest RYA Schools' Competition
Shiplake College
Located on the banks of the River Thames, Shiplake College has its own stretch of water providing an exceptional setting for rowing... Girls' A Quad winning the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup
Talbot Heath
Indoor 25 meter swimming pool ... used by all pupils and supporting our Swimming Academy and Poole Swimming Club
Windermere
in 2014, Windermere School became the first school in the UK to achieve RYA Champion Club status... 'Centres of Excellence' for junior racing
Ardingly College
Ardingly College has a formidable reputation for music and sport, particularly football, hockey and swimming.
Benenden
Benenden has welcomed Olympian Robin Francis as its new Director of Swimming, bringing with him a decade of elite competitive experience
Bethany
Under the coaching regime of ex-Olympian, Lisa Chapman, who competed for Great Britain at the Athens Olympics
Bishop's Stortford College
Regular training sessions for our elite swimmers many of whom compete at regional, national and international level.
Canford
teams in the later rounds of National Competitions and seen in National Finals across Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Cricket and Rowing
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation
The Durham School Boat Club is the 3rd oldest boat club in the world and we have own our own boathouse only 5 minutes away
Eastbourne College
The boys' swim team won the 2025 national Bath Cup and the girls' tennis team won the 2025 national Winter LTA Schools title.
Ellesmere College
a individually tailored academy and player pathway. Football Academy Golf Academy Swimming Academy Cricket Academy Tennis Academy Rugby Academy
Embley
Children learn to sail aboard the school's fleet of Etchell 22s, a deep sea race yacht and have access to powerboat training.
Haberdashers' Monmouth
a theatre, drama studio, performing arts centre, sports hall, astro-pitch, over 35 acres of sports fields and a boathouse
Our shortlist is independent and based on each school's dedicated programmes, facilities and results — not paid placement. We'll always match your child's needs first: talk to us.
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