Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School is a co-ed boarding and day school in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, educating pupils aged 13 - 18 and founded in 1552. Boarding fees are £18,248 - £19,922 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 13 - 18
- Ethos
- Christian
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Shrewsbury
The story, ethos and character of Shrewsbury.
- Setting
- Town
- Ethos
- Christian
- Head
- Mr Leo Winkley
Founded in 1552, Shrewsbury School is one of the UK's leading independent boarding and day schools, set on a beautiful 110-acre riverside site in Shropshire. With a strong academic tradition and a forward-thinking approach to education, Shrewsbury encourages intellectual curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning.
The School offers a broad and balanced curriculum, with excellent results at GCSE and A-level, alongside a rich co-curricular programme. Pupils are encouraged to explore their interests through sport, music, drama and a wide range of societies and activities, fostering confidence, teamwork, and creativity.
It truly embodies our ethos of 'Serious Fun'.
With outstanding facilities, dedicated staff, and a commitment to developing well-rounded individuals, Shrewsbury prepares its pupils not only for success in higher education and careers, but also for meaningful and responsible lives beyond our historic gates.
What the school is known for? Shrewsbury School is best known as one of England's most historic and prestigious public schools, with a reputation for strong academics, a rich tradition, and a distinctive full boarding ethos. Founded in 1552, it combines centuries of heritage with a modern, well-rounded education that encourages pupils to excel both in and beyond the classroom.
Read the full Shrewsbury profile
Enter your email to unlock academics, boarding life, admissions, fees & funding, location and photos — free, and for every school on this site.
- Full academics, boarding, admissions & fees detail
- Photo galleries and location guides
- Independent, free advice — no spam, ever
Academics at Shrewsbury
What pupils study at Shrewsbury — 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 At Shrewsbury, we are passionate about the serious fun of learning. Academic life focuses on developing intellectually curious young adults who are able to think critically and creatively, have the confidence to question and to challenge and are equipped with the skills that they will need to thrive at all stages of life.
We have a wide-ranging and balanced curriculum which combines depth with choice so that every interest is catered for. We celebrate involvement in all areas of academic life and academic passions are fostered both inside and outside the classroom via pupil-led academic societies, a comprehensive programme of academic trips and enriching activities in all areas of the School, such as the wide range of visiting lectures we host or by achieving significant success in national academic competitions.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
Shrewsbury pupils leave ready to flourish, both in life and at leading universities across the world. Our whole approach and outstanding teaching help pupils achieve strong results and move on to secure places in further education where they will continue to thrive.
Results and Further Education In 2025, over 85% of pupils progressed to their first-choice destinations, with 82% enrolling at universities ranked in the Global Top 200. At A Level, 77% achieved A-B*, with 39 pupils achieving straight A-A*.
Our two infographics below highlight the breadth and quality of the pathways our pupils choose, from leading UK universities to world-class institutions in North America. Leading University Success2025 was another outstanding year for Shrewsbury pupils with 65% securing places at Russell Group universities including Exeter, UCL and Durham.
Recent global destinations also include: Harvard University, US The University of Chicago, US UC Berkley, US The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), France The Charité, Berlin University Medical School, Germany Bocconi University, Italy IE Business School, Madrid, Spain The University of Toronto, Canada The University of Hong Kong The University of Melbourne, Australia Preparing pupils for life beyond school From initial conversations about interests and strengths, through applications and interviews, our pupils are guided by a highly experienced and dynamic teaching staff working closely with the Futures Department, ensuring every Salopian leaves Shrewsbury ready for the opportunities ahead.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Shrewsbury
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Shrewsbury.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 5, Boys 7, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- Yes
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- Yes
and reduce the practical demands on pupils and families.
A genuine home away from home
The House system is at the heart of Shrewsbury School. The House is a Salopian's centre of gravity, a real home from home, somewhere to relax and make friends, as well as work. We have 12 houses: 7 boys' houses with boarding and day boys together, and 5 girls' houses with boarding and day girls together.
Each House has a dedicated Housemaster or Housemistress, who is the 'go to' lead in ensuring each pupil's wellbeing and emotional whilst they are at Shrewsbury. It is a very special relationship fostered by a constant open-door attitude. They are the key figures in ensuring your child's happiness, welfare and progress, and they are the crucial in communication between parents and school.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Shrewsbury admissions
How children join Shrewsbury, 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 We welcome applicants for admission at 13+ (Year 9), 14+ (Year 10) and 16+ (Year 12) 13+ applications sitting in Year 8, and 14+ applicants take our own entrance exams in Maths and English. 16+ applicants take our own entrance exams in four written papers of their choice, as well as being interviewed by a senior member of staff.
All applicants should be registered before sitting the examination. Exams are ideally taken in November prior to the applicant joining in the following September. Exams can be taken at Shrewsbury School as well as at the applicant's current school, a local law firm or a local Consulate.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Shrewsbury fees & funding
What Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Shrewsbury against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Shrewsbury location & travel
Where Shrewsbury is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address The Schools, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 7BA, England Airport transfer Coaches operate to Heathrow and Manchester airports, at the start and end of term, at either end of half-term and on one weekend either side of half term when the whole school is entitled to head home.
All coaches are provided by a reputable local company who Shrewsbury School has worked with for over 25 years. A professional chaperone service is provided on all London routes. Travel time to London by train Less than 3 hours Telephone +44 (0)1743 280500 Website https://www.
Inside Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury — frequently asked questions
Where is Shrewsbury?
How much are Shrewsbury boarding fees?
What ages does Shrewsbury take?
Is Shrewsbury co-educational?
When was Shrewsbury founded?
Does Shrewsbury require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Shrewsbury?
What qualifications does Shrewsbury offer?
How many boarding houses does Shrewsbury have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Shrewsbury?
Does Shrewsbury have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Shrewsbury?
Does Shrewsbury accept international students?
How much does Shrewsbury cost?
What's included in Shrewsbury's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Shrewsbury?
Considering Shrewsbury for your child?
We've visited the schools and know the staff. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll guide you — our advice is always free.
Ask us about Shrewsbury