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Earlscliffe

United Kingdom, Folkestone

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £38,850 - 56,850
Ages 8 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 150
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2012
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Earlscliffe is a small independent boarding school in Folkestone, welcoming around 150 students aged 8 to 18. It offers a British curriculum with A‑levels over two years, plus a GCSE programme, a Diploma in Business and Management, a Pre‑A‑Level course and a BTEC Sport qualification. Most students study four A‑level subjects, with English for Academic Purposes embedded in every lesson and IELTS available if required. The school provides English Language Centre of Excellence support and 1:1 UCAS counselling. Classes are small, around seven students per group, with nine lessons per main subject weekly and a Test, Rank and Coach progress framework. Boarding comprises six houses with dedicated pastoral care, a nurse, and on‑site dining. The school is UNESCO‑associated and runs specialist Academies in Creative Arts, Business and Basketball, along with a Football Academy in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur. Extracurriculars include Model United Nations, volunteering, and leadership programmes for our students.

29 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, CT20 2NB, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Earlscliffe has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.

Location
Earlscliffe is located in Folkestone on the South East coast of England, overlooking the English Channel. It sits in Folkestone's West End, a short walk from the sea and The Leas promenade. High-speed trains from Folkestone Central railway station reach London in 54 minutes, and Folkestone sits beside the Channel Tunnel with fast links to continental Europe and easy access to major international airports.

Stages
Two-year A-level programme (UK Years 12 and 13). An International Transition Year (ITY) is available for international students aged 15+, to complete a 3-year A-level pathway or to study a single year as preparation.

Type
Independent Sixth Form; full boarding community.

Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 30 countries represented.

School day structure
The day begins at 08:30 with registration and includes teaching blocks with breaks, continuing through the day; an evening study period runs from 19:00 to 21:00; boarding staff supervise evenings and support wellbeing and study.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school operates six supervised boarding residences, each managed by a dedicated House Master/Mistress. Boarding is full provision during term time and half-term breaks, with students typically residing in a boarding house and returning home during end-of-term holidays.

Uniform Requirement
The school has a dress code. During school hours on weekdays (0830-1630), students wear smart business wear in dark, plain colours. In the evenings, weekends, and designated non-uniform days, they may wear their own clothes. Earlscliffe branded sports kit is available for compulsory sports activities and is ordered through the online shop.

Food Options
Meals are taken in the college dining room and prepared by Earlscliffe's own chef. The meals are varied and often international, including Chinese, Mexican, and Indian dishes, with occasional British fish and chips.

House System
There are six boarding houses; girls and boys are housed separately. Each house has a House Master/Mistress, and the Senior Tutor coordinates with house staff to provide tailored care.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of Dukes Education. Governance is overseen by the Head and Proprietor, with the Deputy Head (Pastoral and Boarding) responsible for boarding policy.
Fees

Annual tuition at Earlscliffe ranges from GBP 38,850 to GBP 56,850 for 2026/27.

Application and initial registration fees
- Registration fee (payable once on application): GBP 430.
- Deposit (payable once on application; refundable less any costs when the student completes their studies; balance returned on request within one term of completion): boarding students GBP 3,400; day students GBP 1,000.
- CAS administration and issue (for visa nationals, payable once): GBP 320.

Tuition and main course fees (per term and annual totals)
- Boarding student – GBP 18,950 per term (equivalent to GBP 56,850 per academic year, three terms). Boarding fees include tuition, accommodation and meals.
- Weekday boarding student – GBP 17,330 per term (equivalent to GBP 51,990 per academic year).
- Day student – GBP 12,950 per term (equivalent to GBP 38,850 per academic year). Day fees include tuition and lunch.
- Standard courses covered by these fees include A‑levels (three subjects), GCSEs (five subjects), Pre‑A‑level and the Diploma in Business and Management.

Additional and optional fees
- Single room supplement (payable year in advance) – GBP 2,085 per term (note: payable in advance as stated). Annual equivalent (three terms) GBP 6,255.
- Additional A‑level subject – GBP 2,900 per term (GBP 8,700 per year).
- Additional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) – GBP 1,125 per term (required until the stated language level is attained). Annual equivalent GBP 3,375.
- Practical fees for Sciences / Art / Photography – shown as GBP 485 per term; the schedule also notes figures for two/three subjects (parenthetical amounts GBP 640 / GBP 820).
- Individual tuition (private/supplementary) – GBP 92 per hour.
- Annual public examination centre administration fee – GBP 300 per year. Public examination board entry fees (EAP, A‑level units, GCSEs, Diploma in Business and IELTS entries) should not exceed GBP 1,300.
- Gym membership – GBP 72 per term (GBP 216 per year).
- Half Term residential (where available; English lessons optional at additional fee) – GBP 800 per break. Accommodation at half term is chargeable.
- Compulsory sports kit for Level 3 Sports (minimum items listed) – from GBP 100.
- Miscellaneous invoice items (charged termly where applicable): school‑arranged transfers (on request), optional ties GBP 27, additional school pins GBP 16.50, replacement lanyards/fobs GBP 10 each, academic supplies and any agreed cash advances. Annual textbook costs are stated not to exceed GBP 350.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- On application: registration fee and deposit are payable.
- Term 1 (September–December) fees are due on 30 June. Terms 2 and 3 fees are due five working days prior to the first day of each term.
- Invoices for sundry items (transfers, activities, optional items) are issued termly.
- If a visa is required, it is recommended to request a full year's fees invoice and pay in full to avoid providing bank statement evidence for the visa application.

Payment methods and bank details
- Cash is not accepted. Overseas payments can be made via the school's payment portal (Flywire); a Flywire link is provided on the invoice. GBP bank transfers are accepted to the school's HSBC account (account details are provided on invoices). Parents/sponsors must ensure that all transfer charges are paid so the school receives the full invoiced amount and that the student name and/or invoice number is clearly marked on the transfer. For queries, contact the school finance email.

Boarding-specific notes
- Boarding fees are charged per term and include tuition, accommodation and meals. There is no accommodation available during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Residential stays during school holidays can be arranged separately through partner programmes. Accommodation during Half Term is available but chargeable.

Refunds and deposit handling
- The deposit is refundable less any outstanding costs when the student completes their studies; any remaining balance will be returned to the original account on request. The reconciliation and return process can take up to one term to be completed.

Other practical points for budgeting
- Expect additional possible costs for: extra subjects, EAP tuition until the required level is reached, private tuition, practical subject fees, examination entries, gym membership, half‑term residential charges, sports kit and optional uniform items. Public examination board entry fees and annual textbook costs are capped in the schedule (see above).
Academics

Earlscliffe teaches British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 8 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers A-levels over two years (Years 12 and 13). Students typically study four A-level subjects, including their native language where possible, with the option to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). English for Academic Purposes is embedded in every lesson, and non-native speakers can complete IELTS if required. A one-year GCSE programme, a Diploma in Business & Management, a Pre-A-Level course, and a BTEC Sport qualification are also available. English language support is provided by the English Language Centre of Excellence, and UCAS university counselling is provided on a 1:1 basis. Nine lessons per main subject per week are standard for A-levels, and small class sizes support personalised teaching.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is seven students.

Exam Results
In 2025, 108 entries were made across A-level and equivalent qualifications, with 55% of all grades awarded at A*/B. GCSE results in 2025 showed 29% of grades at 9–7 (A*/A) and 69% at 9–4 (A*/C).

Higher Education Progression
Most students progress to top universities in the UK or abroad. UCAS guidance is provided on an individual basis, with mock interviews and personal statement coaching. The Careers Institute uses Unifrog to support university applications and collaborates with partner organisations for pathways to competitive degrees.

Gifted and Talented
Academic enrichment includes high-value micro-credentials such as Sustainable Futures, Mini-MBA, AI, Digital Strategy & Media Literacy; the EPQ is highly regarded by UK universities and supports strong undergraduate applications. Academic societies provide access to external lectures and events, and Earlscliffe participates in UNESCO Model United Nations.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a wrap-around approach to student wellbeing. The boarding environment is designed to be welcoming and safe. A team including House Staff, Group Tutor, Head of Year and senior leaders supports each student's wellbeing. A full-time SEN coordinator and trained mental health staff provide ongoing support for emotional wellbeing. The Nurse offers psychological support and makes referrals as needed; enrichment activities and Student Council initiatives promote personal development and wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school welcomes students with special educational needs provided that it can offer the support required. A full-time SEN coordinator coordinates provision. The admissions process requests relevant SEN and disability information and, where applicable, an educational psychologist's or medical report to tailor provision. The safeguarding and admissions policies indicate a commitment to reasonable adjustments and appropriate support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Centre of Excellence provides specialist English provision designed for international students studying the British curriculum. The program focuses on English for Academic Purposes, subject-specific terminology, academic writing and examination technique. The school prepares students for IELTS and Cambridge English exams, with on-campus testing available. Dedicated EAL classes run during the school day alongside mainstream instruction.

Mental Wellbeing
Enrichment activities boost emotional wellbeing and good mental health. A wrap-around approach to care includes coordination between boarding staff and teaching teams, with a full-time SEN coordinator and trained mental health staff. The School Nurse provides psychological support and referrals to other services as needed. A University and Careers Advisor supports students' wellbeing through guidance and planning for higher education.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding concerns should be directed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads as listed in the boarding houses and around the school. Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is part of the school policies. The Admissions Guide notes safeguarding considerations in the visa and welfare process.
Parent Experience

History
Earlscliffe was built in 1870 as a large private house in Folkestone's West End. The main building on Shorncliffe Road has long existed as a centre for education; it was the large summer home of the Boddam-Whetham family of Kirklington Hall near Nottingham, and became a school around 1923. During the Second World War it housed the Leonore Goldschmidt Schule, a school for German Jewish children evacuated from Berlin. It is now a small independent boarding school with around 150 students from across the world, offering personalised education and pastoral care.

Community
Earlscliffe has a small, globally diverse boarding community of around 150 students, with 48 nationalities represented. Pastoral care is award-winning, including the British Boarding School Association Award for Supporting International Boarders in 2025. There is a broad extracurricular programme with weekly sports, clubs, the Earlscliffe Football Academy and a Basketball Academy. The school is located in Folkestone near the sea, about 54 minutes by train from central London.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Earlscliffe has six boarding houses—girls and boys are housed separately—with a House Master or Mistress in each house to oversee daily life and student care. The houses each include common rooms, kitchens, laundries and gardens for student use, and rooms are spacious twins or singles with en-suite options. The school is located in Folkestone, within walking distance of the town centre, coastline and local sports facilities, providing independence in a supportive environment. Meals are prepared in the Main Building kitchens and served in a family-style dining room. The pastoral framework includes a nurse and mental health staff to support student wellbeing, with wrap-around care coordinated by housing staff and teaching teams.

Sports Facilities
The site is within easy reach of comprehensive local sports facilities, including Three Hills Sports Park with a gym, padel courts, basketball courts, large football fields, badminton courts and an athletics track. Folkestone also hosts a multi-storey indoor skatepark with a bouldering centre and a boxing club nearby. Earlscliffe runs the Earlscliffe Football Academy in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, providing high-level football development alongside academic study. The school also supports a Basketball Academy as part of its Sports, Culture & Service programme, and offers a range of athletic and recreational activities in and around the town.

Academic Facilities
Earlscliffe maintains small class sizes, with an average group size of around seven students, enabling close teacher-student interaction. The academic framework uses frequent assessments through a Test, Rank and Coach system and provides coaching to support progress. A full-time University and Careers Advisor guides university applications and prepares students for interviews, including mock interviews when needed. The curriculum is enhanced by the Earlscliffe Creative Arts Academy, Business Academy and Basketball Academy, and the school offers two-year A-levels, International Transition Year (ITY), University Foundation Year and a Diploma in Business and Management.

Extra Curricular Facilities
A broad range of activities is available through Sports, Culture and Service, including a high-performance Basketball Academy and the Tottenham Football Development Partnership, alongside vibrant arts programs. Students participate in Model United Nations and UNESCO-related conferences, with trips to London and a yearly New York visit as part of the experience. Regular trips and enrichment activities extend beyond the classroom to venues such as Thorpe Park, Go Ape, the Harry Potter Studios, biking and ice-skating. The school also sponsors TEDx Folkestone and supports volunteer work in local communities, fostering leadership and service.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers short, high-value academic courses in the weekly timetable: Sustainable Futures, Mini-MBA, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Strategy & Media Literacy, and Global Leadership. These micro-credentials are included in the fees and directly support university applications. Academic societies provide access to external lectures, debates and events at LSE, UCL and the Cambridge Science Festival; the school is a UNESCO-associated institution with a strong Model United Nations programme, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is available.

Arts & Creative
The Creative Arts Department hosts termly art and photography exhibitions, schedules talks and discussions with guest artists, and arranges visits to London galleries. A college concert is held once a term for performers to participate, building confidence and community. Three Advanced Skills Academies launched in September 2022 include a Creative Arts Academy to develop and showcase artistic skills.

Cultural & Language
Earlscliffe is a UNESCO-associated school with a UNESCO Youth Ambassador scheme that has enabled students to take part in field projects in Hungary, Germany and France. The MUN Club is a debate society that meets to discuss global political issues. Public speaking and debating workshops are offered through a connection with Folkestone TEDx, and the school arranges London and European cultural trips.

Social & Hobbies
A broad range of activities exists, including sports, arts and adventurous outings such as paintballing, quad biking, go-karting and Go Ape. There is a termly college concert and an annual art exhibition, providing opportunities to perform and showcase creative work. The enrichment programme also includes participation in the English Speaking Union's Schools Mace Debating Competition.

Community & Service
Students commit to at least one term of weekly service during their two years. They volunteer up to two hours per week in local places such as homes for the elderly, hospitals, schools, youth clubs, animal shelters and charity shops, and regular fundraising supports Rwanda Aid and Save the Children. Under Rotary sponsorship, Earlscliffe Interact offers further opportunities to serve the local community through events and fundraising activities, and social entrepreneurship is introduced through a joint initiative with the Business Academy.

Leadership & Professional
Enrichment includes leadership and professional development through activities such as the MUN and public speaking workshops. Three Advanced Skills Academies launched in September 2022 include Basketball Academy, Business Academy and Creative Arts Academy, providing opportunities to showcase and grow these skills. The Young Enterprise programme fosters entrepreneurship, and JP Morgan Chase Bank runs internships that Earlscliffe students have won in recent years.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport and wellbeing are central to Earlscliffe, with Wednesday afternoons, weekends and weekday evenings dedicated to SCS activities. Students have free daily access to a well-equipped gym and fitness centre, including a 25-metre indoor pool for student use. High Performance Programmes in basketball and football offer higher-level development for dedicated athletes.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. EAL is integrated into every lesson and tailored to each student's language needs to support access to GCSE and A-level courses. The English Language Centre of Excellence provides English for Academic Purposes, subject-specific terminology, academic writing, and examination technique, and IELTS or Cambridge English exam preparation on-site. Russian is taught as a Modern Foreign Language within the curriculum.

Immersion Programs
The Earlscliffe English Language Centre of Excellence provides specialist English provision designed for international students studying the British curriculum. The program offers an immersive approach to language learning with English for Academic Purposes, subject-specific terminology, and examination technique. Earlscliffe is a Cambridge English Preparation Centre, with the option to sit Cambridge exams on campus. A dedicated team of English language experts leads the programme.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Applications can be submitted all year round directly or through an agent. After an enquiry is received, Earlscliffe contacts the family to discuss plans, provide information, and collect documentation to support the application. An entrance test is provided and a student interview is arranged, which can be conducted online or in person.

2. Applicants must submit the required documents: the application form, the student's passport, birth certificate, school reports in English, English language certificates (e.g., IELTS if held), any existing visa or proof of right to study, and the student's chosen subjects. The admissions team reviews these materials to determine eligibility and whether an offer can be made. An entrance test and interview are part of this stage.

3. If the above documents are satisfactory, a decision is made on whether to offer a place. An offer letter is issued together with two invoices: one for the registration fee and deposit to secure the place, and a second for the first term's fees. Fees details are published and reviewed annually. Payment of fees triggers the visa process, and settlement of fees is required prior to attendance.

4. With the acceptance letter, further documentation is requested before arrival, including guardianship information, medical forms, parental consent letter, student questionnaires, consent forms, travel forms, and travel insurance for non-sponsored students. Earlscliffe communicates with families in the weeks and months before arrival.

5. Passports and visas: Earlscliffe collects passports on arrival and at the start of each term to check and copy for immigration records, and stores them securely unless requested otherwise. A guardian must be appointed for parents who do not live permanently in the UK. Where guardianship is involved, arrangements should meet UKVI guidance and may be required as part of the visa application. If a student does not hold a British or Irish passport, a visa or ETA may be required depending on age and planned length of stay.

6. Guardianship: The guardian must be a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain, must not be a full-time student, must be over 25, must live in the UK, and ideally be within a two-hour drive of the school. Guardianship arrangements are required for admission and continuity of care while in the UK.

7. Arrival and orientation: New students should arrive between 08:00 and 16:00 and be greeted by a member of the admissions team. Travel information forms should be completed in advance, and a responsible adult should accompany the student on arrival. Ongoing communications and orientation activities are provided in the weeks leading up to arrival.

Scholarships
Earlscliffe offers a limited number of academic scholarships. The scholarship programme is based on a student's intended undergraduate studies and/or career objectives. Scholarships and bursaries are discretionary privileges and are subject to high standards of attendance, diligence and behaviour. The admissions team is available to discuss scholarship requirements with applicants. For those considering scholarships, there is guidance provided as part of the admissions process.
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