Shiplake College
Shiplake College is a co-ed boarding and day school in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, educating pupils aged 11 - 18 and founded in 1959. Boarding fees are £17,500 - £17,500 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 11 - 18
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Shiplake College
The story, ethos and character of Shiplake College.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Head
- Mr Tyrone Howe
Shiplake College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for pupils 11-18. Situated in 45 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside near Henley-on-Thames, we offer an outstanding education based on small class sizes, excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff.
We have had a co-educational sixth form since 1998 and have welcomed younger girls since September 2023, meaning we will be a fully co-educational day and boarding school by 2027. Our co-educational year are currently made up of around 40% girls.
We are a small community of around 540 boys and girls, where the ethos of 'Inclusive, Individual, Inspirational' is embraced. Shiplake has a wholly inclusive environment spanning all areas of College life. All pupils are valued regardless of academic prowess, artistic flair or sporting ability, with opportunities for all to join in and try new things.
Each and every boy and girl becomes extremely well known to all the staff. We are renowned for providing exceptional pastoral care, underpinned by our traditional house system. All aspects of pupils' welfare and progress are continually monitored, to ensure they remain contented throughout their time at Shiplake.
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Academics at Shiplake College
What pupils study at Shiplake College — and where it takes them.
and qualifications, which ensures that at every age and stage, all of our pupils study courses that are right for them. Years 7 and 8 (Lower School) Boys and girls in the Lower School follow an exciting and innovative curriculum which was specially designed by the College to allow maximum exploration of subjects and curriculum areas.
Year 9 The Year 9 curriculum is designed to ensure that all pupils are well-prepared to begin their GCSE courses. In view of the varying academic experiences of pupils progressing from our Lower School and arriving from various prep schools, teaching aims to bring everyone up to an even level of understanding.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
In 2025, 96% of leavers were accepted into their first or second choice university (up from 91% in 2024), with Exeter, Manchester Metropolitan, Oxford Brookes and Cardiff as the most popular destinations. University destinations often include US institutions and in 2025, we have had pupils secure places at Princeton, Washington, Iowa, Wisconsin and Boston.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Shiplake College
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Shiplake College.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 2, Boys 2, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- Yes
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
Boarding is an important part of life at Shiplake, enabling our pupils to benefit from all the academic and co-curricular opportunities that we offer and also saving many hours each week of travelling time. Our boarders join from many parts of Britain, with nearly 10% of boarders (3% of all pupils) coming from a variety of countries around the world, and we aim to embrace pupils from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as diverse intellectual and physical talents.
It is our intention that Shiplake College should provide a secure and supportive environment in which the pupils may learn to live together happily, to grow in confidence and to achieve success and enjoyment in all aspects of school life. We see the boarding environment as a key way to foster the complementary values of social tolerance and inclusiveness Boarders quickly come to regard their House as a home away from home and boarding enables them to learn a range of skills, including independence, self-reliance and getting on with others, which will stand them in good stead later in life.
A genuine home away from home
Pupils in Year 7 and 8 join the Lower School. Day pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 are based in separate buildings. Sixth Form day pupils are based in the Sixth Form Centre. Boys' boarding in Years 9-11 is in Burr Building. Girls' boarding in Years 9-11 is in Everett Building.
Girls' Sixth Form boarding is in Gilson Building and boys' Sixth Form boarding is in College Building. Each Building is run by a Housemaster or Housemistress who is always on hand to offer their to pupils in all academic, co-curricular, emotional and social domains.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Shiplake College admissions
How children join Shiplake College, 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 Shiplake College welcomes applications from international students across the globe. Our international pupils, including a balance of British and non-British students resident abroad represent approximately 4% of the current school population.
International applications are permitted into all year , but the majority of pupils usually join at Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+), Year 10 (14+) or Year 12 (16+). Pupils arriving from all nations and continents soon become fully integrated into Shiplake's inclusive and welcoming environment.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Shiplake College fees & funding
What Shiplake College 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 Shiplake College.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Shiplake College against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Shiplake College location & travel
Where Shiplake College is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4BW, England Airport transfer The matrons and Housemasters at Shiplake will arrange for airport transfers accordingly via the School Office, the cost of which will be added to an end of term bill.
Travel time to London by train Less than 1 hour Telephone +44 (0)118 9402455 Website https://www. shiplake. org. uk/ +1 photos Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. London Heathrow 25 40 2. London Luton 51 70 3.
Inside Shiplake College
Shiplake College — frequently asked questions
Where is Shiplake College?
How much are Shiplake College boarding fees?
What ages does Shiplake College take?
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When was Shiplake College founded?
Does Shiplake College require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Shiplake College?
What qualifications does Shiplake College offer?
Does Shiplake College support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Shiplake College have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Shiplake College?
Does Shiplake College have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Shiplake College?
Does Shiplake College accept international students?
How much does Shiplake College cost?
What's included in Shiplake College's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Shiplake College?
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