Felsted School
Felsted School is a girls boarding and day school in Dunmow, Essex, educating pupils aged 3 - 18 and founded in 1564. Boarding fees are £12,714 - £18,702 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Girls boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 8 - 18
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Felsted
The story, ethos and character of Felsted.
- Setting
- Village
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Head
- Mr George Masters Acting

Felsted was founded in 1564 by Richard Lord Riche. Leading co-educational, independent, boarding and day school for pupils aged 4 to 18 TES Boarding School of the Year 2023 Superb pastoral care tailored to each individual, rated 100% excellent by Independent Schools Inspectorate Strong academic results (GCSEs, International Baccalaureate Diploma and A Levels) Top university entry, including Oxbridge A holistic education that develops the character of every child Established partnership with the Junior Guildhall of Music National sporting reputation - partnerships with Saracens Rugby, Mavericks and London Pulse Netball and Blue Hornets Hockey Leading co-curricular and leadership programmes; Model United Nations, Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh Top Summer School for international students Gifted and Talented programme to extend the most able and experienced learning for those that need extra help Beautiful 90-acre site, in an idyllic English village to the main cultural centres of Cambridge and London Closest Airports: Stansted, 15 min, London Heathrow, 1hr 25, London Gatwick, 1hr 45 What the school is known for?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Felsted in May 2014 to celebrate the School's historic 450 year milestone. TES Boarding School of the Year 2023 Felsted has links with the world-famous Junior Guildhall School of Music in London and other top conservatoires to offer talented musicians, both in UK and internationally, an unrivalled range of benefits and opportunities.
Felsted has a national reputation for excellent in the core sports of hockey, rugby, cricket, tennis and netball, with many pupils succeeding at national level.

Felsted has a thriving International Summer School programme which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2024 Felsted's Combined Cadet Force is the sixth oldest in the country, alongside Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Rossall and Hurstpierpoint. School history Felsted School was founded in 1564, as a Grammar School by Richard Lord Riche, former Lord Chancellor under King Edward VI.
Originally the school was housed in the centre of the village of Felsted in a converted Guild Hall with shops on the ground floor. The Riches governed the school till the male line died out in 1673. The last three Schoolmasters they appointed - George Manning (1567-1627), Martin Holbeach (1627-1649) and







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Academics at Felsted
What pupils study at Felsted — and where it takes them.

This section provides information on: The curriculum, performing and creative arts, English as an additional , and special educational needs (SEN). About the curriculum When compared academically against other schools, both independent and state, Felsted scores extremely well.
Felsted outperforms the majority in the League Tables regionally (one or two schools may sit above us but this is achieved through their stringent academic selection), but leads in terms of the value we deliver to a broad range of academic ability on a national scale.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
The Felsted Professional Guidance Department provides clear, appropriate and individual advice, information, and guidance to students so that they can make informed choices as they progress through the school. We identify 4 pathway routes for them to research and advise them to prepare for two of them to keep options open.
UK University International University Degree Apprenticeship Direct Workplace entry Leavers' Destinations 2024 UCAS 2023 entry: 76Deferred Entry: 11Apprenticeships / Employment: 11European Universities: 10US/Canada Universities: 1Conservatoires: 2
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Felsted
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Felsted.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 4, Boys 4, Mixed 1
- Exeat weekends
- Yes
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- Yes

Boarding is at the heart of Felsted life, allowing children to make the most of every day. Pupils learn, have fun with friends and develop the personal skills that equip them for the challenges of modern life. Felsted's nine Boarding Houses offer unique environments for study and personal development.
With individual histories and spirit, every boarder will tell you that his or her House is the best! All boarding options provide pupils with in achieving independence, developing academic focus, nurturing talents and interests and fostering leadership skills.
A genuine home away from home

There are eight senior boarding houses and one prep boarding house situated across the Felsted campus. Each house has its own style and history, but all are comfortable and homely, with common rooms, casual dining areas, snack kitchens and laundries.
Boarders are cared for by an HM (Housemaster/mistress) and a team of assistants, tutors and matrons. Tutors keep track of boarders' academic work and ensure that they are achieving a balance of activities and commitments. Academic staff are on hand in the evenings to help with homework and projects and there are dedicated study evenings for different ages organised weekly in the Marshall Centre for Learning.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Felsted admissions
How children join Felsted, 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
Special notes to agents about entry to the school Felsted School seeks to build a welcoming and stable community, where pupils remain with us long term. This means that pupils would usually join us for a minimum of one year in Years 7, 8 and 9, while we expect them to stay with us for the duration of the two-year GCSEs from Year 10 or two-year A Level or IB programmes from Year 12.
If space allows, we are able to welcoming pupils in-year for entry in Years 7, 8 and 9 from overseas. We also offer short-term stays for 10-13 year olds for three months (one term). Application procedure and entrance tests Applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure that space is still available.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Felsted fees & funding
What Felsted 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 Felsted.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Felsted against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Felsted location & travel
Where Felsted is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address Felsted School, Felsted, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 3LL , England Airport transfer Airport transfers are arranged by a team at the school following submissions of flight details each term. Pupils share transport, when possible, to keep costs to families at a minimum.
Travel time to London by train Less than 1 hour Telephone +44 (0)1371 822 600 Website https://www. felsted. org/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. London Stansted 11 16 2. London Luton 52 90 3. London Heathrow 63 80 4.
Felsted — frequently asked questions
Where is Felsted?
How much are Felsted boarding fees?
What ages does Felsted take?
Is Felsted co-educational?
When was Felsted founded?
Does Felsted require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Felsted?
What qualifications does Felsted offer?
Does Felsted support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Felsted have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Felsted?
Does Felsted have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Felsted?
Does Felsted accept international students?
How much does Felsted cost?
What's included in Felsted's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Felsted?
Considering Felsted for your child?
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