UK: Top Boys Boarding Schools

Written By Gabrielle Liu

Finding the Right Fit

The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious boys' boarding schools, each offering a unique blend of academic rigour and opportunities. We set out below the top 5 UK boarding schools for boys with key highlights about the schools. Most schools require registration by the time your son is in Year 5.

Eton College

Eton is known for its deep history, academic prowess, and extensive list of notable alumni, including 20 UK Prime Ministers. It is a full-boarding school.

  • Ranking & Reputation: Consistently ranked among the top 5-10 schools in the UK. Globally recognized for its prestige and establishment connections.

  • A-level & GCSE Grades: Academically exceptional. In 2023, 90% of A-level grades were A* or A. At (I)GCSE, 95% of grades were 9, 8, or 7 (the equivalent of A*/A).

  • Facilities: Outstanding and extensive. Includes the Olympic-standard Dorney Lake for rowing, three theatres, multiple swimming pools, state-of-the-art science labs, and vast playing fields.

  • Known for: Unparalleled academic excellence, the power of the "Old Etonian" alumni network, and an incredible breadth of opportunities in music, drama, and sport.

  • Registration Deadline (13+ Entry): By 30 June of Year 5 (e.g., for entry in Sept 2028, the deadline was 30 June 2025). This is one of the earliest and strictest.

Westminster School

One of the most academic schools in the world, uniquely located next to Westminster Abbey. It is boys-only up to Year 11 and co-ed in the Sixth Form.

  • Ranking & Reputation: An academic "super-league" school, consistently ranked #1 or #2 in the UK for exam results.

  • A-level & GCSE Grades: Exceptional. In 2023, 90.5% of A-level grades were A* or A. At (I)GCSE, 98.6% of all grades were 9-7.

  • Facilities: Unique and historic, integrated within the Westminster Abbey UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sports fields are a short walk away.

  • Known for: Its unrivalled academic success, its central London location, and its liberal, university-style atmosphere.

  • Registration Deadline (13+ Entry): register in Year 5 (the academic year of their tenth birthday). Registration closes at the end of Year 5 (eg deadline of 30 September 2025 for 2029 entry).

St Paul's School

A London-based academic powerhouse set on a spacious 45-acre green campus in Barnes. It is boys-only from Year 9 through to Year 13.

  • Ranking & Reputation: A top-tier academic school, consistently ranked in the top 5 nationally.

  • A-level & GCSE Grades: Phenomenal. In 2023, 91.8% of A-level grades were A* or A. At (I)GCSE, 98.4% of grades were 9-7.

  • Facilities: Outstanding and modern. The campus includes a state-of-the-art Science building and extensive sports facilities (including a boat house) on-site.

  • Known for: Its rigorous academic culture, its university-style tutorial teaching system, and its non-uniform policy.

  • Registration Deadline (13+ Entry): By Year 5, with 11+ entry point being themost appropriate entry point.

Winchester College

Founded in 1382, Winchester is one of the oldest schools in the UK and is renowned for its profound intellectual culture. It is one of the few remaining full-boarding, all-boys schools.

  • Ranking & Reputation: Regarded as one of the most intellectually rigorous and academic schools in the country, often topping tables for Oxbridge (Oxford/Cambridge) entry.

  • A-level & GCSE Grades: Superb. In 2023, 90.3% of A-level grades were A*/A. At (I)GCSE, 96.1% of grades were 9-7.

  • Facilities: A blend of stunning medieval architecture (including 14th-century chapels) and modern facilities, such as a state-of-the-art sports centre, a dedicated music school, and comprehensive science centres.

  • Known for: Fostering deep intellectualism and independent thought, a strong house system, and a unique, scholarly atmosphere.

  • Registration Deadline (13+ Entry): By 1 July of your child’s Year 5.

Radley College

Radley is one of the UK's leading boys' boarding schools and remains one of the few that is boys-only and full-boarding. It's often praised for its strong sense of community.

  • Ranking & Reputation: Highly respected and sits comfortably within the top tier of UK boarding schools. It's often seen as a nurturing yet high-achieving environment.

  • A-level & GCSE Grades: Very strong. In 2023, 69% of A-level grades were A*/A. At (I)GCSE, 88% of grades were 9-7.

  • Facilities: Set within a beautiful 800-acre campus. Facilities include a new science centre, a large art and design building, a dedicated rowing tank, and extensive sports pitches, especially for rugby.

  • Known for: Its strong community, outstanding pastoral care, and its excellence in sports, particularly rowing and rugby.

  • Registration Deadline (13+ Entry): By the start of summer term of Year 5. Radley operates a Radley List system, and early registration (even from birth) is common. Radley List (Open) is for the Year 5 applicants.

What's Next?

Ultimately, the "best" school for your son is not the one with the highest exam-grade percentage, but the one that is the right fit for your son. Contact us for key information about applying.

Contact Us

Eton College

寻找最适合的学校

英国拥有一些世界上最顶尖的男子寄宿学校，每所学校都提供独特的严谨学术和丰富的机会。我们在下面列出了英国排名前 5 的男子寄宿学校，并附上学校的主要亮点。请注意：大多数学校要求在您儿子读 5 年级 (Year 5) 之前完成注册。

伊顿公学 (Eton College)

伊顿以其悠久的历史、卓越的学术成就和众多的杰出校友（包括 20 位英国首相）而闻名。这是一所全寄宿学校。

  • 排名与声誉: 常年位居英国学校前 5-10 名。因其崇高声望和政商关系而在全球闻名。

  • A-level 和 GCSE 成绩: 学术成绩优异。2023年，90% 的 A-level 成绩为 A* 或 A。95% 的 (I)GCSE 成绩为 9、8 或 7 分 (相当于 A*/A)。

  • 设施: 设施出色且广泛。包括奥林匹克标准的 Dorney 赛艇湖、三个剧院、多个游泳池、顶尖的科学实验室和广阔的运动场。

  • 知名特色: 卓越的学术成就、“老伊顿人”(Old Etonian) 校友网络的强大影响力，以及在音乐、戏剧和体育方面提供的大量机会。

  • 注册截止日期 (13+ 入学): 5 年级 (Year 5) 的 6 月 30 日之前。（例如：2028 年 9 月入学，截止日期为 2025 年 6 月 30 日）。这是最早、最严格的截止日期之一。

威斯敏斯特学校 (Westminster School)

世界上学术最顶尖的学校之一，地理位置独特，毗邻威斯敏斯特教堂 (Westminster Abbey)。11 年级 (Year 11) 之前只招收男生，高中六_年_级 (Sixth Form) 则为男女同校。

  • 排名与声誉: 学术“超级联盟”学校，在英国考试成绩排名中常年位居第一或第二。

  • A-level 和 GCSE 成绩: 成绩优异。2023年，90.5% 的 A-level 成绩为 A* 或 A。98.6% 的 (I)GCSE 成绩为 9-7 分。

  • 设施: 独特且历史悠久，与威斯敏斯特教堂（联合国教科文组织世界遗产）融为一体。运动场距离学校仅有很短的步行路程。

  • 知名特色: 无与伦比的学术成就、地处伦敦市中心，以及自由的、大学式的氛围。

  • 注册截止日期 (13+ 入学): 在 5 年级 (Year 5)（即 10 岁生日所在的学年）注册。注册在 5 年级末截止（例如：2029 年入学，截止日期为 2025 年 9 月 30 日）。

圣保罗学校 (St Paul's School)

位于伦敦的学术强校，坐落在 Barnes 占地 45 英亩的绿色校园中。从 9 年级 (Year 9) 到 13 年级 (Year 13) 只招收男生。

  • 排名与声誉: 顶尖学术学校，常年位居全国前 5 名。

  • A-level 和 GCSE 成绩: 成绩非常出色。2023年，91.8% 的 A-level 成绩为 A* 或 A。98.4% 的 (I)GCSE 成绩为 9-7 分。

  • 设施: 出色且现代化。校园内设有一流的科学大楼和包括赛艇码头在内的完备体育设施。

  • 知名特色: 严谨的学术文化、大学式的辅导教学和不穿校服的政策。

  • 注册截止日期 (13+ 入学): 5 年级 (Year 5) 之前，但 11+ (11岁) 入学是他们最主要的入学点。

温彻斯特公学 (Winchester College)

成立于 1382 年，是英国最古老的学校之一，以其深厚的学术氛围而闻名。是少数几所全寄宿制男校之一。

  • 排名与声誉: 被认为是学术最严谨的学校之一，牛津剑桥 (Oxbridge) 的录取比例经常名列前茅。

  • A-level 和 GCSE 成绩: 成绩顶尖。2023年，90.3% 的 A-level 成绩为 A* 或 A。96.1% 的 (I)GCSE 成绩为 9-7 分。

  • 设施: 令人惊叹的中世纪建筑（包括 14 世纪的教堂）与现代设施（如最先进的体育中心、专用音乐学校和综合科学中心）相结合。

  • 知名特色: 培养深度求知欲和独立思考能力，强大的宿舍制度，以及独特的学术氛围。

  • 注册截止日期 (13+ 入学): 您孩子 5 年级 (Year 5) 的 7 月 1 日之前。

拉德利公学 (Radley College)

英国顶尖的男子寄宿学校之一，也是少数只招收男生且提供全寄宿的学校之一。以其强大的社区感而闻名。

  • 排名与声誉: 备受推崇，位列英国顶尖寄宿学校。被认为是一个既有爱心又能取得高成就的环境。

  • A-level 和 GCSE 成绩: 成绩优异。2023年，69% 的 A-level 成绩为 A* 或 A。88% 的 (I)GCSE 成绩为 9-7 分。

  • 设施: 坐落于 800 英亩的美丽校园中。设施包括一个新的科学中心、大型艺术设计楼、一个专用的赛艇训练池和广阔的橄榄球场地。

  • 知名特色: 强大的社区感、出色的学生关怀，以及在体育方面（尤其是赛艇和橄榄球）的卓越表现。

  • 注册截止日期 (13+ 入学): 5 年级 (Year 5) 夏季学期开始前。Radley 实行 "Radley List" 系统，很早就接受注册（甚至从出生起）。"Radley List (Open)" 是针对 5 年级申请者的。

后续步骤

归根结底，对您儿子来说，“最好”的学校不是考试成绩最高的学校，而是最适合他的学校。请联系我们以获取有关申请的关键信息。

Contact Us
Gabrielle Liu
Previous

Effective Test Prep Strategies
Next

Oxbridge Personal Statements