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Concord College

United Kingdom, Shrewsbury

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £24,300 - 66,000
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 580
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1949
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Spanish
Typical class size 12
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Concord College is a co-educational boarding and day school set on a 73-acre campus in Acton Burnell, Shropshire. It delivers the British curriculum with GCSEs (19 subjects) and A Levels (13 subjects). In the Sixth Form, students typically study four AS subjects in Year 12 and continue with three or four at A Level in Year 13. A compulsory PSHE course and English language support for non-native speakers support all learners. The school welcomes about 580 students from more than 40 nations, fostering international understanding and cross-cultural exchange. Facilities include two large sports halls, an indoor heated pool, a gym, football pitches, tennis courts, a running track and a climbing wall, plus science laboratories and boarding houses. Enrichment spans Outdoor Education, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, music and performing arts, and more than 100 clubs and societies. Concord was named Independent Schools of the Year for Best International Experience in 2023.

Concord College, Acton Burnell Hall, Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7PF, England

The Essentials

Concord College has 580 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

Location
Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7PF, England. The campus sits on a 73-acre site in the English countryside at Acton Burnell, with cottages, a castle, a churchyard and an ivy-clad post office and shop nearby. It is a 25-minute taxi from Shrewsbury, which has shops, restaurants and easy train links to London and other major UK cities.

Stages
Secondary education from Year 9 through Year 13 (Sixth Form); both day and boarding options are available.

Type
Co-educational boarding and day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
580 students from around 40 nations; approximately 80% of the intake are international/non-UK students.

Additional learning support
Special Educational Needs (SEND) policy; English as an Additional Language (EAL) support under the Policy on Support English (EAL).

Country affiliation
England, United Kingdom.

Religious affiliation
No formal religious foundation; there is an active Christian group and chapel attendance is not compulsory.

School day structure
The school day begins with Registration at 08:35–09:00, followed by morning periods and a morning break; lunch occurs around midday, then periods 5–9 run in the afternoon, finishing at 16:00. A mid-morning break and a mid-afternoon break are scheduled during the day.

Bus service
A day-student bus service runs from Shrewsbury on weekdays ( pickups in the mornings and returns in the evenings); on Saturdays a bus collects from Shrewsbury to bring students to College for Saturday Tests. Transport is charged.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school has 17 boarding residences on campus. The largest residence, Bell, accommodates up to 70 boarders, and the smallest, Cherry Orchard, accommodates 5. All residences are single‑sex or have separate entrances and facilities for girls and boys, and each has a Boarding Parent supported by Assistant Boarding Parents and other staff. Every student has a single study bedroom, with some Sixth Form residences offering en‑suite facilities. Returning students can indicate a preference for a particular residence, but requests cannot always be satisfied; Senior Prefects and Lower School Monitors are given first choice, with ballots conducted for Sixth Form allocations.

Food Options
Meals are served in the Dining Room three times a day, seven days a week, with menus provided by the catering team to cater for international tastes. Meals include a cooked breakfast, lunch and supper; the catering offers a range of hot dishes and options for dietary needs, with fresh fruit available throughout the day and snacks available at break times.

House System
The school has four houses: Gandhi, Teresa, Pankhurst and Mandela. All boarding and day students belong to a house, and tutor groups are organized by house. The Houses underpin the tutoring system, with Heads of Year and Heads of House providing pastoral support, and inter‑house competitions in sports, arts and academics. A House Cup determines the annual overall winner, and House Captains are appointed after consultation.

Governance and Ownership
The Bell Concord Educational Trust operates Concord College; it is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.
Fees

Annual tuition at Concord College ranges from GBP 24,300 to GBP 66,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fees

- A registration (application) fee of GBP 460 is payable on application for either a day or a boarding place.

Tuition fees — overview by place type (per term and per year)

- Day students: GBP 8,100 per term (payable termly). Annual cost (three terms) = GBP 24,300. Day fees are quoted inclusive of VAT.

- Boarding students (full boarding): GBP 22,000 per term; GBP 66,000 per year. Boarding fees are quoted inclusive of VAT. Boarding fees are invoiced twice per year (half-yearly in advance).

- There is no separate published per-year-group tuition scale on the College's Day Fees and Boarding Fees pages; fees are published as the day and boarding rates above. Parents should treat the published day and boarding figures as the standard termly/unit charges.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Day fees are payable termly in advance of the first day of term; invoices will state the due date.

- Boarding fees are invoiced half-yearly (twice per year) in advance. Invoices are sent to the person(s) who have signed the Acceptance Form. If instalment arrangements are agreed, the College will set out the instalment schedule in writing. Interest is chargeable on overdue amounts (the contract specifies interest at 3% per year above the College's bank base rate, applied daily).

- Fees are calculated on an annual basis but invoiced according to the billing arrangements above. Withdrawal part-way through a term does not reduce the amount owed for that term. Fees in lieu of notice apply where parents fail to give the required notice.

Boarding-specific billing details

- Boarding invoices are issued twice per year (half-yearly in advance). Accommodation, meals, laundry and most boarding-house activities are included in the boarding charge; some items are charged separately.

Deposit, acceptance and withdrawal / refund rules

- Once an offer of a place is accepted, a deposit is required to reserve the place. The deposit is held in a ring-fenced account, credited without interest to the final account when the student leaves, and will be refunded to the originating bank account unless it is applied under the contract conditions. The deposit amount varies depending on the status of the child; details are provided by the Admissions Secretary.

- Withdrawing an acceptance of a place before the child starts requires either a term's notice or payment of fees in lieu of notice. If the required notice is given in time the deposit will be forfeited but no further fees will be payable; if notice is not given, fees in lieu of notice become payable. Withdrawing part-way through a term does not reduce fees for that term and refunds are not given for partial-term withdrawals. If a student is excluded or required to be removed, prepaid fees for terms after exclusion/required removal will be refunded (but the deposit may be forfeited in some cases).

What the fees include and exclude

- Included (typical): tuition, use of College facilities, meals (day students receive daily lunch and, when remaining for activities, supper), access to most clubs and societies, residential curriculum trips (e.g., Outdoor Education trips) and standard College celebration events. Boarding fees additionally include accommodation in a single study bedroom, laundry and regular supervised visits/outings.

- Not included (typical additional costs parents should expect): public examination fees, textbooks and stationery, transport (the College-run day bus service is charged separately), a small number of extracurricular activities that incur extra charges, private academic or instrumental music tuition, optional trips and activities off campus, and pocket money for boarders. Uniform is not listed among the items included; uniform and other personal kit costs should be considered additional where applicable.

Refunds and chargebacks

- The contract states that no refund or remission of fees is given for the term in which a student is suspended or excluded (except that prepaid fees for terms after exclusion/required removal will be refunded). Deposits may be retained or applied against unpaid fees or fees in lieu of notice in specified circumstances. Withdrawal part-way through a term does not entitle parents to a refund for that term. Interest and debt-recovery costs may be charged for late payment.

Fee payment options and how payments are accepted

- The Parent Contract specifies that fees must be paid in full either by cheque, bank draft or direct bank transfer by the due date indicated on the invoice; instalment plans may be agreed in writing. The College operates an online payments form for trips, events and fee items. The contract does not list credit-card payment as a standard invoiced payment method (payment by bank transfer / cheque / draft is specified).

Other practical notes on charges

- Some optional or supplemental services (for example recommended private health insurance arranged via the College, certain extracurricular activities, specific trips and travel during holidays) will carry additional charges. The College may also require reimbursement for costs incurred on a parent's or student's behalf, and VAT treatment of specific services will be applied as required under the contract.

If you require these figures to be placed into your database fields exactly as written above, copy the relevant lines for the fields you need and include the associated invoice/billing notes as required.
Academics

Concord College teaches British Curriculum for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a British curriculum of GCSEs and A Levels. There are 19 GCSE subjects and 13 A Level subjects. In the Sixth Form, A Level students typically study four subjects at AS Level in Year 12 and continue with three or four at A Level in Year 13. A Level options include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Spanish, Geography, Economics, History, Physics, English Literature and Language, Chemistry, Art, French and German. A PSHE course is compulsory and English language support is available for non-native speakers. The curriculum is complemented by a wide-ranging super-curriculum and extensive university-preparation activities, with an average class size of 12.

Exam Results
GCSE results 2026 include 21 students achieving 9 or more grade 9s; 48% of grades were 9 and 80% were 7-9. A Level results 2026 show 38 students achieved A*A*A* or better and 104 achieved AAA or better.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates progress to top universities in the UK and globally, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial College and LSE. In 2026, nine students had offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge. In 2025, Concord College had 12 Oxbridge places and many students gained places at other leading universities around the world.

Gifted and Talented
A wide-range super-curriculum supports high-achieving students, including university-preparation activities, lectures, societies, competitions, trips and visits, tutor groups, and extensive guidance on university applications.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Every member of staff is committed to helping students thrive at Concord. The pastoral team, including Heads of Year, Heads of House, Heads of Boarding Divisions and senior staff, provides ongoing wellbeing support for both boarding and day students. PSHE lessons, assemblies and talks address relationships, healthy lifestyles and social pressures, including input from external experts. The nursing team cares for medical needs seven days a week, and students can access listening staff or professional counsellors who can be self-referred. Lower School Monitors and Prefects, along with boarding staff and tutors, offer additional advice and support to help ensure every child feels known and cared for.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy was updated September 2026. A pupil has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability requiring special educational provision. The college values all pupils and is committed to providing broad, balanced curriculum access through varied teaching methods, flexible timetabling and individual support. Identification and monitoring identify needs early through entry tests, CAT4, and liaison with feeder schools, with provision adjusted accordingly. The college has an Academic Support Centre to support SEND students and uses Pupil Profiles/IEPs to identify targets and strategies; EHCP assessments may be pursued with the Local Authority, and reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act are considered to ensure no discrimination toward pupils with SEND.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Policy on Support English (EAL) updated October 2025. The policy describes the development of Support English since 1997 to assist Lower School learners with academic English. Currently Form 3 English Support runs five periods per week, with a main EAL class of eight to ten students split into EAL support (three periods) taught by an EAL teacher and two periods led by a First Language teacher focusing on literature. In Form 4, students are placed in a lower EAL class with four periods of English Support per week. In Form 6th Form, there is one-to-one support for the weakest English learners and IELTS-focused study across four periods per week, with some students receiving extra lessons. The policy emphasises close liaison between EAL staff and subject teachers to ensure language development and exam preparation.

Mental Wellbeing
The Vice-Principal (Pastoral) is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the mental health lead at Concord. Wellbeing is overseen by the Senior Team, with Heads of Year, Heads of House and boarding staff providing support. Students have access to staff listeners and professional counsellors who can be self-referred. The College's nursing team in the medical centre cares for medical needs seven days a week. Senior Leaders and Pastoral Team hold weekly meetings to discuss individual students and promote a healthy, balanced environment.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy updated August 2026. Concord College follows Shropshire Safeguarding Partnership procedures and adopts a whole College approach to safeguarding and child protection. The policy sets out the roles of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL, with training updated regularly; safe recruitment procedures are in place. Overseas students may face additional safeguarding vulnerabilities due to guardianship, airport transfers and homestays, and appropriate safeguarding checks and oversight are implemented. The College works in partnership with families, guardians and relevant agencies to promote welfare and safety, and information sharing as needed. The policy also covers peer-on-peer abuse and online safety and provides procedures to respond, record and refer concerns appropriately.
Parent Experience

History
Concord College was founded in 1949 by Paul Oertel and Monica Carr-Taylor as a language school in Hastings with 12 students. It moved to Tunbridge Wells in the 1950s, where A Levels were added and students from many countries studied together. In 1969 Frank Bell, owner of the Bell School of Languages, bought Concord and the founders retired as joint Principals. By 1973 Concord moved to Acton Burnell near Shrewsbury, and girls were first admitted in 1977, initially at Attingham Park before transferring to Acton Burnell in the early 1980s. The Bell Concord Educational Trust was established in 1983 to secure Concord's future, and major building projects followed, including the Jubilee Building and Hawkins Science Building in 2017; in October 2023 Concord won Independent Schools of the Year for Best International Experience.

Community
Concord College is a very special community and is part of wider local and global communities. Alumni form an international, close-knit network; alumni stay in touch and some donate to the College. Outreach is student-led charity work run by Outreach Monitors, Prefects and Committee, providing opportunities to help local or global communities. Partnerships involve working with local schools and organisations across areas of interest, and Concord College International extends the community with partner schools in Shanghai and Malaysia.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a 73-acre campus in Acton Burnell, Shropshire, set in the English countryside. The campus includes green spaces, boarding houses, classrooms and modern laboratories, along with sport and music facilities. The location is near Shrewsbury, with easy access to shops and train links. The school serves about 580 students from more than 40 nations.

Sports Facilities
The school has 2 large sports halls, an indoor heated pool, and a fully equipped gym. It also includes football pitches, tennis, volleyball and squash courts, a running track, basketball courts, a dance studio, an aerobics and weight training room, a climbing wall and a high ropes course.

Academic Facilities
The school has classrooms and modern laboratories.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Enrichment activities include Outdoor Education, Sport, Music, Performing Arts, Clubs & Societies, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Trips & Expeditions and Spiritual Life.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has over 100 clubs or societies, run by staff or senior students. All students can delve deeper into subjects or careers they're interested in, try out new activities and even win awards. MedSoc, science, engineering and mathematics-based activity groups, Mock Trial, Model United Nations and debating societies are among the academic and career options.

Arts & Creative
The school has an Arts & Culture program that includes an art club, a book club, a fashion club, a photography club and a cinema club, along with groups devoted to performing arts. The school has a diverse set of nationality societies, including African, Eastern European, Hong Kong, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian and Singapore Societies, which participate in events such as the Mayor's Concert in Shrewsbury. The activities showcase creativity through performances and exhibitions connected to these clubs.

Cultural & Language
The school has nationality societies including African, Eastern European, Hong Kong, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian and Singaporean groups. Many of these societies participate in the Mayor's Concert in Shrewsbury. These clubs contribute to Concord's vibrant cultural life and offer cross-cultural exchange opportunities.

Social & Hobbies
The school has over 100 clubs or societies available, run by staff or senior students. The school has a wide range of activities that allow students to explore new interests, deepen knowledge of subjects and even win awards. The school has sports and arts clubs including ballet, mountain biking, fencing and climbing, in addition to popular team sports such as basketball, netball, football, tennis and swimming.

Community & Service
The school has the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a programme of cultural and adventurous activities designed to give a sense of responsibility. The school has many clubs and societies that enter national competitions. The school has students who have achieved success in Physics, Mathematics, Informatics Olympiads, Economics Essay Writing and British Heart Foundation Competitions in recent years.

Leadership & Professional
The school has academic or career-interest clubs that help students find out more about subjects and gain skills and accreditations. The school has MedSoc, science, engineering and mathematics-based groups that support aspiring scientists. The school has Mock Trial, Model United Nations and debating societies.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has an Elite Sports Programme; 12 Concord students compete at national standards, including three Singapore internationals. The school has popular team sports such as basketball, netball, football, tennis and swimming, plus ballet, mountain biking, fencing and climbing clubs. The school has Outdoor Education as part of its enrichment program to support physical activity and well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
The three main languages taught in Concord College are French, German and Spanish. French, German and Spanish are taught from a beginner's level, with the Edexcel International GCSE offered in Form 5, and French, Spanish and German available at A Level in the Sixth Form. Native linguists of Russian or Chinese are supported through GCSE and A Level examinations if they wish. English is taught as a subject with English as a Second Language (EAL) support; English as a Second Language IGCSE has been offered for Form 4/5 students as part of EAL provision.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1. Entry points. Entry to Concord takes place into Form 3 (typically age 13), Form 4 (typically age 14) and Sixth Form (typically age 16 or 17). The College also considers entry in January for certain nationalities. Applicants should seek guidance on possible entry points from the admissions team. Step 2. Applications. Applications are submitted online via the Concord application form. Copies of recent school reports and, if available, certificates or evidence of achievements should be sent. A registration fee is required; current details are on the Day Fees and Boarding Fees pages. Applications are open year-round, but those received more than 12 months before entry are considered first. Step 3. Tests and Interviews. All applicants take Concord's own entrance tests, usually online. Tests for Form 3 and Form 4 cover English (with separate tests for native and non-native speakers), Mathematics and Critical Thinking. Sixth Form tests focus on the subjects the student intends to study at A Level; non-native English speakers may also sit an English test. Interviews take place after tests, but not all applicants are invited to interview. Step 4. Offers. Offers are made as applications are processed. The first offers for the next academic year are typically made in October. Offers reflect high academic potential and fit with Concord's environment. Step 5. Accepting an offer and admissions. Offer holders have up to one month to formally accept the place. After accepting and paying a deposit, the student will be ready for admission to Concord. The admissions team will provide joining information before arrival. Step 6. Test appointments and scheduling. Test appointments are available from 14 months prior to the start of the academic year. Applicants who submit earlier have the best chance of securing test slots and admissions offers. Tests are conducted online and supervised by the admissions team. Step 7. January entry. January entry is possible for certain nationalities; contact the admissions team for advice on possible January starts. The application and admissions process remains the same in substance for all entry points: application, tests and interviews.

Scholarships
Bursaries and Scholarships serve different purposes. Scholarships celebrate outstanding academic performance and are awarded each year to a small number of students. Bursaries assist parents who might not be able to afford full fees and are means-tested. Candidates must complete the standard Concord application process and be offered a place first before applying for a bursary or being considered for a scholarship. Lower School Exhibitions and Scholarships are available; Form 3 awards are called Exhibitions and may continue through to Form 4 and Form 5 Scholarships; awards are 5% to 10% of the fees. Sixth Form Scholarships are based on GCSE/IGCSE results; typically at least 10 A*s/grade 9s; awards are 5% to 10% of the fees and will be awarded in December to cover 6.1 and 6.2. Principal's Scholarships attract the very best new students; typical value is 15% to 25% of fees and the number of scholarships is limited. Sixth Form boarding applicants can also apply for the Anthony Morris Scholarship, a substantial award combining scholarship and bursary with means testing; there is a separate application process and funds are limited.
School Events
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