Which are the best UK boarding schools for sailing?
Whilst sailing is not a sport that is commonly offered at UK boarding schools, there are a number which provide excellent facilities and coaching to the keen sailor. Here, we provide our selection of the best schools for sailing in the UK, as well as outlining a number of other criteria that are essential to bear in mind when making your choice.
Sevenoaks School
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Fees: £46,785 per annum
Headteacher: Jesse Elzinga
Ages: 11-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
Established in 1432, Sevenoaks has a rich history as one of the oldest non-denominational schools in England. Sevenoaks School is known for its commitment to academic excellence, holistic education, and a global perspective. The school offers a broad and challenging curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for sixth form students. Sevenoaks is arguably the best school in the UK for competitive sailing, with teams from the school winning national championships in 16 of the last 20 years. The school’s extensive fleet consists of 26 fireflies and 24 RS Fevas, six RS Aeros, 10 Topper Argos, five 420s and two SB20 Keelboats. The school’s teams sail at Bewl Water and Bough Beech reservoirs, each of which are less than a 30-minute drive away from the school. The school offers sailing practice four times a week, run by the school’s three full-time sailing coaches. It is also among the best schools in the UK academically, with 86% of all examination results graded 9-7 at GCSE in 2023.
Gordonstoun
Location: Gordonstoun, Elgin
Fees: £48,990
Headteacher: Richard Devey
Ages: 4-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
Gordonstoun School, situated in Moray, Scotland, was founded in 1934 by Kurt Hahn, a German educator who sought to create a school that would instil a holistic education focused on physical fitness, character development, and community service. The school's unique philosophy emphasises experiential learning, outdoor activities, and service to others. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was one of its early supporters. The school offers sailing to every one of its students as part of its curriculum, and has a fleet of Toppers, Lasers, Vagos and Powerboats which sail from Hopeman Harbour, a fishing village located some three miles from the school on the Moray Firth. The pride of the fleet is the Ocean Spirit of Moray, an Oyster 80-foot ketch which takes its student pilots as far as the Arctic and the Azores. The school has a respectable academic profile, with 53% of GCSEs in 2023 at Grade 9-7.
Windermere
Location: Windermere, Cumbria
Fees: £38,865 per annum
Headteacher: Frank Thompson
Ages: 3-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
Windermere School, located in the picturesque Lake District in Cumbria, has a history dating back to 1863, when it was named St. Anne’s School. Windermere School offers a comprehensive academic curriculum, providing education from the Nursery level to the Sixth Form. Their lakeside water sports centre is both a Royal Yachting Association training centre and an officially recognised British Youth Sailing club. A highly qualified coaching staff supports success at regional, national and international level. Mixed teams of boys and girls race in Tera and Feva dinghies. 47% of GCSE examination results in 2023 were at Grade 9-7.
The Royal Hospital School
Location: Holbrook, Suffolk
Fees: £43,515
Headteacher: Simon Lockyer
Ages: 11-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
The Royal Hospital School, situated in Holbrook, Suffolk, United Kingdom, has a long history stretching back to 1712. Originally established to provide education for the orphans of seafarers, the school has evolved into a renowned independent coeducational institution. With a maritime heritage, the Royal Hospital School continues to embrace nautical traditions, with an extensive sailing programme on offer for its students. The school has a fleet of Cornish Shrimpers which sail from Alton Water, just a few minutes’ walk from the school, and its students take part in competitions at both school and national level. 45% of all GCSEs received in 2023 were at Grade 9-7.
Ryde School
Location: Ryde, Isle of Wight
Fees: £36,849 per annum
Headteacher: Will Turner
Ages: 2-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
Founded in 1921, Ryde School prides itself on providing an inclusive, holistic educational experience to its students. Located, furthermore, on the Isle of Wight, the school is well-placed to take advantage of the sailing opportunities that the area has to offer. The school offers, among other opportunities, a bi-annual trip to Lake Garda and an elite sailing pathway offering double the time on the water compared to other boarding school sailing programs. 41% of GCSE results in 2023 were at Grade 9-7.
What other factors should you take into account when choosing schools?
Whilst the quality of provision for specific sports such as sailing may be an important priority for you as prospective parents, there are other factors to be borne in mind. Here, we give our breakdown of what those are.
Academic level
Academics, expressed in the quality of teaching and examination results, is among the most important things to bear in mind when choosing the right boarding school for your child. As important as sailing may be as an activity for you, the financial investment involved in sending your child to boarding school should also yield a dividend in terms of exam results and consequent university and career prospects. There exists a symbiosis, in fact, between academics and extracurriculars such as sailing in that university applicants who can list other activities on their personal statement are in a strong position to gain places at better universities, which may in turn possess superior facilities for sailing.
Pastoral environment
Boarding schools vary widely in their approach to pastoral provision. Some schools are more firmly Church of England in their ethos, whilst others are markedly secular. Some schools may provide a more holistic educational offering, or more comprehensive support for mental health issues, whilst others may prioritise academic achievement over other aspects of education. The right pastoral environment ultimately boils down to personal preference, and value-alignment between school and student.
Location
Location can have a major impact upon a school’s suitability, especially for international students. Many public schools are located in remote corners of the UK countryside. Ryde School is located on the Isle of Wight, which would present a distinct challenge to students and parents from outside the UK. Although the issue of location is mitigated somewhat by the boarding model, with students able to stay at the school on weekends during term-time, a school’s remote location could make it difficult for your child to travel home during vacations, or on select weekends.
UK boarding school selection with Chapkin Edwards
If you need further assistance with choosing the right boarding school for your child, contact us here. Our team of expert consultants will be more than happy to help you find the perfect fit.