Scarborough College, founded in 1896, is a thriving co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 3–18 with an exceptional academic pedigree and an unrivalled reputation for making the most of every child’s potential. The College, its Prep School and Pre-School all share the same site. Our beautiful campus overlooks the spectacular North Yorkshire coast and is ten minutes’ walk from the centre of the stunning seaside town of Scarborough. The boarding houses are merely a 15-minute walk from the beach. The College has fine views overlooking the South Bay of the town and Scarborough Castle.
Although the ethos of the College is firmly based upon wholesome traditional principles, we have a progressive approach to education, which has led to us offering the International Baccalaureate in our Sixth Form since 2007, a qualification that is highly prized throughout the world. Our average staff to student ratio of 1:8 ensures we develop the full potential of every child.
Superb facilities – including 20 acres of sports pitches, a fully floodlit AstroTurf, a performing arts centre with 400-seater theatre, sports hall and neighbouring 18-hole golf course – all ensure a truly first-class education can be delivered to nurture the talents of all.
Scholarships for academic performance, sport, music and as an ‘all-rounder’ are awarded at all entry points. Means-tested bursaries are also available.
Admission. Prep School: Admission is by visit to the school and an interview with the Head of Prep School. Taster days can be arranged.
Senior School: Admission at age 11 is following an Entrance Assessment and interview. Admission at all other ages is subject to recommendation from the previous school, an interview and satisfactory performance in a general assessment.
Sixth Form: Admissions are subject to the achievement of a minimum of five GCSEs at Grades 9 to 6 and an interview with the headmaster. Overseas Students are required to submit: school reports for the previous two years; academic certificates, if appropriate (GCSE or equivalent and any other exams taken); written reference from the Head of current/previous school. They are also required to sit our English and maths assessments and undergo an interview either during a visit to the school or via Skype. Scholarships and bursaries are available.
Senior School. Students join us in all year groups with especially high numbers of new arrivals in Years 7, 9 and 10 for GCSE, Year 11 for our bespoke Pre-IB course and the Lower Sixth for the IB Diploma.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 study three modern languages and three sciences, providing them with a firm foundation for further study. Along with English and maths, they also study traditional subjects including history, geography, music, art, religious education, classics, ICT, drama, and design and technology. Further options appear as GCSE subject choices in Year 10.
A dedicated Learning Support and English as an Additional Language team of staff ensures all individual needs are fully met.
Sport, music, and drama are very important parts of the daily College life with over 50 clubs and societies on offer every year. Horse riding is particularly popular and the College has both a Cricket Academy and Golf Academy.
Prep School. Our educational vision is simple: the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of school life in an environment which will develop active, questioning, confident, thinking children.
At the core of our school is a traditional academic approach and a challenging curriculum. We provide the best pastoral care and support for every child. We also pride ourselves on the breadth of our education inside and outside the classroom. Dedicated subject specialists deliver a stimulating programme including art, drama, design technology, French and music, as well as daily games and outdoor pursuits. The enrichment programme is rich and varied and includes our own Forest and Beach school too.
In addition we offer free wraparound care before and after school for our busy working parents.
Sixth Form and the IB Diploma. The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme provides our Sixth Form students with a stimulating and challenging post-16 curriculum. Our experience has shown that the IB encourages the development of inquisitive, critical and reflective thinkers who engage fully in the learning process to acquire knowledge. 29 separate subject course options are available.
In our Sixth Form, students develop a new relationship with their teachers within a university-style tuition setting. They have many opportunities to show and develop their leadership skills and become very involved in the School Council, hosting and organising school, house and social events as well as prefect duties and helping younger students in roles such as mentors and sports coaches. There is a rich programme of visiting speakers and exchange visits, and they have their own dedicated Study Centre, Café and Common Room. This is a caring, friendly and warm environment which is a great place to develop and grow into inquisitive and confident young adults.
Boarding. There are three traditional and charming boarding houses at Scarborough College, offering boarding accommodation for pupils aged 11–18 years from all around the world. These really do provide a warm family environment with a home-from-home feeling for all our students, both British and foreign.
A busy programme of weekend entertainment is planned each term to keep the students active. More spontaneous events also include house barbecues, impromptu sports, trips to the beach, go karting, mountain biking, surfing and cinema trips, just to name a few.
Our boarding staff are all experienced members of staff with families of their own, so know how challenging and demanding teenagers can be from time to time, but also are very caring, understanding and sympathetic to the needs of each and every individual child.
Day pupils benefit from all of the extras that being part of a boarding school brings, including the opportunity for occasional boarding. The school bus service operates daily to Bridlington, Whitby, Driffield, Malton and Pickering.
For further up-to-date information on the school, please visit the College’s website.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Senior School Day: £5,389–£6,005; UK Weekly Boarding: £7,519–£8,488; Full UK boarding: £9,623–£10,828; Overseas boarding: £11,439–£12,663.
Charitable status. Scarborough College is a Registered Charity, number 529686.