Which are the best UK boarding schools for tennis?
Tennis is a sport which receives relatively little attention within UK boarding schools, with most of the leading boarding schools focusing instead on sports such as Rugby, Netball, Cricket and Rounders. Yet, as the world’s fourth most popular sport and with some notable successes from British tennis players in recent years, tennis has been gaining in popularity. Here, we provide our selection of the best schools for tennis in the UK, as well as outlining a number of other criteria that are essential to bear in mind when making your choice.
Benenden School
Location: Benenden, Kent
Fees: £47,400
Headteacher: Samantha Price
Ages: 11-18
Single sex or co-educational: Single sex (girls)
Benenden School, located in Kent, England, was founded in 1923 as a girls' boarding school. The school's establishment was influenced by the ideas of its founder, Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma, who aimed to provide an exceptional education for young women. The campus boasts impressive architecture and beautiful grounds, reflecting its historical and academic significance. Benenden School has excellent facilities for tennis, with 20 courts including one indoor and nine astro-turf courts. The school runs regular tennis tournaments for its students, as well as entering high-level players in county and national LTA tournaments. There are four full-time coaches who provide their expertise to girls of all levels. The school also has an excellent academic profile, with 82% of all GCSE grades at Grade 9-7 in 2023.
Kilgraston School
Location: Bridge of Earn, Perthshire
Fees: £38,910 per annum (boarding)
Headteacher: Tanya Davie
Ages: 5-18 (day), 8-18 (boarding)
Single sex or co-educational: Single sex (girls), with co-educational Junior School
Kilgraston School, situated in Perthshire, Scotland, has a history dating back to 1930 when it was founded by Lady Victoria Douglas-Hamilton. Originally established as an all-girls school, Kilgraston has since evolved into a leading coeducational institution. The school's history is rooted in a commitment to providing a well-rounded education that combines academic excellence with character development. The school has sixteen tennis courts on its grounds, as well as a veteran Level 4 coach with seventeen years’ experience overseeing its tennis program. Kilgraston’s academic results are impressive too, with 66% of students achieving grade As in their National 5 exams.
Millfield School
Location: Street, Somerset
Fees: £47,775
Headteacher: Gavin Horgan
Ages: 2-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
https://www.millfieldschool.com/
Millfield School, located in Somerset, England, was founded in 1935 by Rollo John Oliver. Originally established as a school for boys, Millfield later became coeducational. The school is renowned among UK boarding schools for the quality of its sports program, and tennis is no exception. Head coach Daniel Manlow, supported by four other full-time coaches, has 30 years experience in the sport, having played in Division 1 of the NCAA and held ATP rankings in both singles and doubles. The school is consistently ranked in the top four schools for tennis in the UK, and features a competition program for elite athletes which provides the opportunity for students to train four to five times per week, alongside Strength and Conditioning training. 41.8% of GCSE grades were at Grade 9-7 in 2023.
Reed’s School
Location: Cobham, Surrey
Fees: £37,705
Headteacher: Mark Hoskins
Ages: 13-18
Single sex or co-educational: Single sex (boys), co-educational Sixth Form
https://www.reeds.surrey.sch.uk/
Reed's School, situated in Cobham, Surrey, was founded in 1813 by the philanthropist Andrew Reed. Originally established as an orphanage for the children of deceased clergy, Reed's School has evolved into a coeducational independent day and boarding school. The school has an illustrious history where tennis is concerned, too. UK former no. 1 and Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman attended the school and was part of the elite Slater squad, two former members of which now head the tennis program at Reed’s. The prestigious Reed’s School Tennis Academy (RSTA) selects boys between the ages of 11 and 13 for its elite program after they have passed the school’s entrance exams. The RSTA aims to support aspiring players through the transition from aspiring junior to world-class senior, offering daily coaching alongside Strength and Conditioning training. Academics are far from ignored, too, with 80% of GCSE grades at Grade 9-7 in 2023.
Repton School
Location: Repton, Derbyshire
Fees: £43,680
Headteacher: Mark Semmence
Ages: 13-18
Single sex or co-educational: Co-educational
Repton School, located in Derbyshire, England, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1557. Originally established as a free grammar school, Repton has since evolved into a prestigious co-educational independent school. Tennis ranks highly among the jewels in the crown of this particular school. Headed by former world-ranked player James Rushby, the Elite program offers daily training for its athletes, who go on to achieve notable success nationally. Students from Repton have won the Boys’ National Schools’ Championship 11 times, the Independent Schools’ Championship 15 times and the Girls’ National Schools Championship on four occasions. The school has a respectable academic record, with 61% of GCSE grades at Grade 9-7 in 2023.
What other factors should you take into account when choosing between boarding schools?
Whilst the quality of provision for specific sports such as tennis 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 tennis may be as an activity, 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 tennis 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 teams or facilities for tennis.
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. 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.