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Whitgift School

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £30,240 - 59,310
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1515
Type Boys School, Boys School (boarding)
Opened 1596
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Whitgift School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 10 to 18 in Croydon, United Kingdom. The curriculum offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, BTEC and the British Curriculum, delivered across Junior, Middle and Sixth Form. A cross-curricular programme develops skills in PE and Games, Global Citizenship and Ideatum (PSHE and Economic education). The campus features on-site learning spaces including Raeburn Library, Old Library, Sixth Form Centre, a Performing Arts Centre, a Concert Hall, the North Pavilion and the Water Gardens, plus Medical Centre. Sports facilities include three hybrid pitches, a gym, a swimming pool and courts. Founder's House provides boarding-house spaces with weekend access to sport and music. The school runs 120 clubs and 30+ sports, with activities such as Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force and Greenpower Car Club. Whitgift values tradition alongside modern curricula and co-curricular opportunities globally.

The Lodge Whitgift School, Haling Park Rd, South Croydon CR2 6YT, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Whitgift School has 1,515 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Whitgift School is located at Haling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT. The campus is situated about 25 minutes from Central London by train and around 30 minutes by car from Gatwick Airport, with Founder's House positioned to serve local and international families seeking a cosmopolitan boarding experience. The Matron Team arranges airport transfers and travel for boarders as needed.

Stages
Whitgift is structured into Junior Years (Age 10-12), Middle Years (Age 13-15) and Sixth Form (Age 16+).

Type
Independent day and boarding school for boys aged 10-18.

Additional learning support
The approach to learning focuses on meeting the individual needs of each student.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
Sixth Form Day: 08:25 Ding Dong; 08:30 Registration; 08:35 Assembly/Form; 08:55 Period 1; 09:40 Period 2; 10:25-10:40 Break; 10:45 Period 3; 11:30 Period 4; 12:15 Period 5 (Second Form to Upper Sixth); 13:00-14:00 Lunch; 14:00 Ding Dong; 14:05 Registration; 14:15 Period 6; 15:00 Period 7; 15:45 Final Bell.

Bus service
Whitgift operates an extensive School Bus service with routes to Leatherhead, Kingswood, Riverhead, Oxted, Woldingham, Warlingham, Kenley, Coulsdon, Epsom, Banstead, Wallington, Esher, Norbiton, Surbiton, Raynes Park, New Malden, Wimbledon & Southfields, Putney, Colliers Wood, Wandsworth, Clapham Common, Dulwich, Beckenham, Bickley, Bromley, West Wickham. Buses are booked via the Whitgift School Bus Tracker App (WSBT). Public transport connections include bus routes 60, 119, 166, 312, 403, 405, 407, 412, 455, 466, 468; rail access via South Croydon (10-minute walk) or East Croydon (a short train ride and 2-minute bus/15-minute bus ride); a courtesy shuttle operates to South Croydon Station.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Full and Weekly Boarding is available to UK and International students at 13+, 14+, and 16+. Founder's House is the boarding home opened in 2013, housing over 100 boarders with individual bathrooms and a common room; boarders can access school facilities after the day and on weekends. Boarders are allocated to a Tutor and assigned to a vertical Family system led by a House Prefect, with fortnightly one-to-one meetings to support their progress across Years 9–13.

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is compulsory and includes a blazer, four shirts, a tie, a games shirt and shorts, a PE top and shorts, a mid layer, track pants, and swimming jammers; charcoal trousers are specified as the formal trouser. The jumper and coat are not compulsory but may be worn if approved. Dress and appearance rules include neat hair, clean shoes, shirts tucked in, and other specific requirements as detailed in the school regulations.

Food Options
Junior Years lunch is compulsory and offers a hot main, a vegetarian or Halal option, jacket potato or pasta with salad and bread for a fixed price of £5.25. The school provides a dining experience in the canteen, with a sample menu and weekly variations for Lent Term; the catering team also accommodates dietary requirements and allergens, offering options including vegan and vegetarian choices with multiple daily offerings.

House System
Founder's House, opened in 2013, houses over 100 boarders and includes facilities such as a common room and reception; bedrooms are two or three per room with ensuite bathrooms. The House is supported by a Welfare/House Team, and the daily routine is supported by a Family system in which boarders are grouped into multi-year Families led by tutors; Families promote mentorship and leadership opportunities across Year 9–13.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of the John Whitgift Foundation, a registered charity; Whitgift School is governed and owned as part of the Foundation.
Fees

Annual tuition at Whitgift School ranges from GBP 30,240 to GBP 59,310 for 2026/27.

Application and Entrance Exam Fees
- Entrance exam fee (non-refundable): GBP 190. Late entrance exam fee: GBP 250. International entrance exam fee (including those sitting at an alternative location): GBP 275. Late international entrance exam fee: GBP 350.

Acceptance Deposits
- Day student deposit: GBP 1,800.
- Weekly boarding deposit (UK): GBP 6,500.
- Full boarding deposit (UK): GBP 8,000.
- Weekly boarding deposit (International): GBP 13,000.
- Full boarding deposit (International): GBP 16,000.
- Student visa fee (if applicable): GBP 150.
- The acceptance deposit is held and will be refunded (less any balance owing to the school) after the student has left.

Tuition fees by type (Academic year 2025–26) — per term and annual totals (three terms)
- Day students: per term (excluding VAT) GBP 8,400; per term (including VAT) GBP 10,080. Annual total (three terms): excluding VAT GBP 25,200; including VAT GBP 30,240.
- Weekly boarding: per term (excluding VAT) GBP 13,895; per term (including VAT) GBP 16,674. Annual total (three terms): excluding VAT GBP 41,685; including VAT GBP 50,022.
- Full boarding: per term (excluding VAT) GBP 16,475; per term (including VAT) GBP 19,770. Annual total (three terms): excluding VAT GBP 49,425; including VAT GBP 59,310.

What these tuition fees include (high-level)
- Day pupils: classroom tuition and support, textbooks, most stationery, games lessons, co-curricular clubs and societies; First Formers (Year 6 and Year 7) receive one term of free music lessons.
- Boarding pupils: all of the above plus all meals, laundry (excluding dry cleaning) and Founder's House weekend activities for full boarders.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing is organised by school term (Michaelmas, Lent and Trinity). Fees are payable termly in advance. Monthly payment by direct debit is available as an alternative to termly payment. Parents who sign the Form of Acceptance cannot cancel acceptance without providing one term's payment of fees. The Governors reserve the right to review or alter fees, with notice as stated in the school's contractual terms.

Boarding fees (summary and inclusions)
- Boarding fees are shown above under weekly and full boarding (per term and annual totals). Boarding fee packages include meals, laundry (not including dry cleaning) and scheduled weekend boarding activities for full boarders; additional boarding-related incidental costs (for example airport taxi charges) are extra.

Other costs and additional charges (not included in tuition)
- Uniform: approximately GBP 450 (compulsory uniform list).
- Laptop fee / lease: GBP 118 per term (2025/2026).
- Lunch: Lower First and First Form lunches invoiced termly at a fixed rate of GBP 5.15 per meal (2025/2026); for Second Form and above individual food items are priced separately.
- Public examination entry fees and UCAS fees.
- Individual music tuition (charged separately).
- Trips, exchanges and some weekend or special activities.
- Personal accident insurance (example figure shown historically: GBP 3.36 per term in 2023/24).
- Taxi charges for airport drop-offs/pick-ups for boarding students.

Refunds and withdrawal-related points
- The acceptance deposit is refundable after a pupil leaves, less any outstanding balance owing to the school. Parents cannot cancel acceptance of a place once they have signed the Form of Acceptance without providing one term's payment of fees. Other terms and any associated withdrawal fees are set out in the school's Form of Acceptance and the John Whitgift Foundation parental contract.

Fee payment options (methods stated by the school)
- The school lists two payment arrangements: termly payment in advance, or monthly payment by direct debit. No other specific payment methods (credit card / bank transfer) are detailed in the published fee information.
Academics

Whitgift School teaches IB (DP), BTEC Qualification.

Curriculum
Whitgift has a cross-curricular programme of skills development across the School including PE and Games, Global Citizenship and Ideatum (Personal, Social, Health, Emotional and Economic education). A Curriculum Guide 2024 and a Sixth Form Guide are published. The curriculum is delivered across Junior Years, Middle Years and Sixth Form and is complemented by international trips, lunchtime and after-school clubs and societies to extend learning beyond the classroom.

Exam Results
A Level results for 2024/25: 89% of grades were A* to B; 27% were A*. 15 students achieved A* in all entries and 65 attained all A*/A grades. International Baccalaureate results for 2025 averaged 39 points (out of 45), with half scoring 40+ and 5 scoring 44; 98% of Higher Level grades were 5–7. GCSE results for 2025 saw 87% of grades at 7–9, 43% at grade 9; 18 pupils achieved grade 9 in all entries and 40 attained at least nine 9s; 46 pupils completed Additional Mathematics, with 35 achieving the top grade.

Higher Education Progression
In 2025, 84% of leavers gained Russell Group places and 72% went to their first-choice destination. 11 students received Oxbridge offers, with 8 taking up places. Destinations also included London universities such as University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, King's College London (KCL), Queen Mary University of London, City, University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Royal Veterinary College, plus international universities including North Eastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; New York University, New York; South Florida University, Tampa, Florida; IE Business School, Madrid; and University of Amsterdam.

Gifted and Talented
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are awarded to Whitgift students and Sixth Form students are frequently successful in obtaining these prestigious scholarships. The school also provides Maths enrichment and competitions—Maths Societies, Maths in Action, Maths Fest—and related enrichment opportunities within Design, Technology and Engineering.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Whitgift School implements social, emotional and mental health education through the Ideatum (PSHEE) programme. The programme includes a range of visiting speakers and regular staff training to support understanding of mental health issues. Well-being is central to the school's ethos and is treated as the responsibility of all staff, with a whole-school approach. Pupils are supported through strong pastoral structures, tutors and year group teams, and a focus on belonging and open, non-stigmatising conversations about mental health. The school provides a coordinated set of supports through its learning and welfare teams to promote healthy relationships, resilience and personal development. It also integrates mental health awareness with its safeguarding framework and online safety policies.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Whitgift School provides Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision designed to support neurodiverse students and others with additional needs. The Learning Support Department and the SENDCo lead SEND provision, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and provide appropriate support, including for students with persistent mental health difficulties who require enhanced educational provision. The school uses targeted support within the school and maintains close collaboration with parents and guardians. Staff receive ongoing professional development to promote good mental health and SEND awareness, and a clear escalation route is in place for concerns. The policy acknowledges that most SEND needs are met within the school; where necessary, external professionals and services are engaged; the school tracks concerns through its pastoral and monitoring processes.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Where English is not the applicant's first language, Whitgift requires an English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment. EAL guidelines designate that the B2 level is divided into lower, middle and upper intermediate. Intake into Year 9 requires at least the lower end of B2 (or a B1/B2 cusp); Year 9 students have three years to reach upper-intermediate level, with a transition to C1/2 considered achievable. Intake into Sixth Form requires at least middle of B2, ideally upper-intermediate B2 to low C1. The Languages curriculum provides support for students with EAL to ensure inclusive access to pastoral care.

Mental Wellbeing
Whitgift has a mental health policy describing the school's approach to social, emotional and mental health issues and aims to promote early intervention and destigmatise mental health. The school uses a whole-school approach with staff training (including Youth Mental Health First Aid) and involvement of parents through pastoral engagement. The policy identifies a network of safeguarding and wellbeing staff, including a designated Mental Health Lead, school counsellors and pastoral teams, and provides counselling on site via the Medical Centre and Learning Support. There are clear routes to external services such as CAMHS, and CPOMS is used to track concerns. The Ideatum PSHEE programme underpins wellbeing education and the school collaborates with NHS and local health partners to provide appropriate support.

Safeguarding
Whitgift School recognises safeguarding as a core responsibility and follows statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024). Safeguarding aims are to protect children from harm, prevent impairment of health and development, ensure safe and effective care, prioritise children's best interests, and consider their welfare at all times. A Director of Safeguarding and DSL leads safeguarding work; if an allegation involves the Headmaster, the Chair of Governors is contacted, and the Department for Education guidelines are followed. Staff, pupils and parents are encouraged to report concerns; confidentiality may be overridden to safeguard welfare. CPOMS records safeguarding and welfare concerns, and the policy is integrated with related policies such as anti-bullying, online safety, and counselling.
Parent Experience

History
John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, laid the foundation stones of his Croydon hospital and attached grammar school in March 1596; the School opened in 1600, laying the foundations for Whitgift today. The school's timeline includes milestones such as the move to Haling Park, the School being opened by HRH Prince George, and the gift of peacocks. The School celebrated its 400th anniversary and later launched the International Baccalaureate. Founder's House opened to welcome boarding students, and Vision 2025 and other initiatives have shaped the School's development.

Community
Whitgift runs a range of community-focused events, including the Whitgift Community Summer School with culture, language and kindness activities; the Lower First and First Form Cultural Day celebrating diverse backgrounds; Philanthropy Week and the Whitgift Gives fundraising drive; and the annual Founder's Day Service paying tribute to Archbishop John Whitgift. The school has also received a Community Outreach Award in 2022.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Whitgift School Parents Association (WSPA) exists to build a strong sense of community among parents, encourage parental involvement in school life, and raise funds to benefit all students. It is run by a committee of parent volunteers, including a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Event Organisers, and Year Group Representatives, and meets at least once per term with support from school staff. As a registered charity, the WSPA runs a variety of social events throughout the year to bring families together and raise funds for the school and other charities. The association has funded items such as the Medical Emergency Buggy, new benches, a basketball hoop for the junior playground, a Teqball table and contributions to departments including Music, Sport, Drama, Art and Learning Support. For information or to join, contact wspa@whitgift.co.uk.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Whitgift has on-site, state-of-the-art facilities to support sport, music, and study. These facilities include basketball and badminton courts, a gym, a swimming pool, and a music school, all available for weekend use as part of the boarding programme. Founder's House provides communal and recreational spaces for boarders, including a refurbished common room kitchen for cookery and quiet study areas to support independent learning. The campus contains a range of learning and social spaces designed to support pupils across the Junior, Middle, and Sixth Form years. Raeburn Library and the Old Library are among the on-site academic facilities.

Sports Facilities
Whitgift has three hybrid pitches, with the latest on Edridge after earlier installations on Big Side and Puntabout in 2021. Basketball and badminton courts, a gym, and a swimming pool provide comprehensive on-site training and recreation. These facilities are used to support a broad sports programme and weekend activities. The grounds and pitches are part of a broader sports facilities programme, recognized with awards such as the Independent School Grounds Team of the Year 2026.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include Raeburn Library and Old Library, the Sixth Form Centre, a Performing Arts Centre, a Concert Hall, the North Pavilion, and the Water Gardens as well as other on-site spaces for study and learning. The Raeburn Library and Old Library are central to on-site learning resources, with the Sixth Form Centre supporting older students. The Performing Arts Centre and Concert Hall support drama and music education. The interactive tour lists North Pavilion and Water Gardens among the campus facilities used for learning and social activities. A Medical Centre is available on site to support pupil health needs.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Whitgift offers a vibrant co-curricular programme with more than 120 clubs and societies, including Drama, Music, Sport, Outdoor Education, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). There are more than 30 sports available for participation, from relaxed social activities to competitive teams. The Greenpower Car Club gives students the opportunity to design and race a Whitgift car. Live performances are a priority for the music groups and orchestras. Outdoor Education and other clubs provide adventure and leadership experiences.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides a broad range of academic clubs including Junior Maths Games, Junior Geography Society, Junior History Society, Junior STEM Society and Junior Years Academic Enrichment Society. Students explore topics beyond the curriculum and contribute to Whitgift's own academic journal, The Journal, which has published over 200 articles in the last two years. An Upper Sixth 'University Maths' club supports students applying for maths or maths-related degrees.

Arts & Creative
Art Club and Art Masterclass develop drawing, painting and design skills. Lego & Technic Club offers hands-on building and problem solving, while Warhammer Club lets students build, paint and play tabletop battles.

Cultural & Language
Rabelais Society focuses on French language and culture with activities such as a conjugation cup, board games and a spelling bee. Korean Society celebrates Korean language and culture. LGBT+SOC provides a safe space for LGBTQ students to discuss experiences, while Whitgift Afro-Caribbean Society (WACS) addresses Afro-Caribbean topics in bi-weekly meetings.

Social & Hobbies
Yarn Club provides crochet and crafts in a quiet space and fosters collaboration. Lego & Technic Club fosters creativity and teamwork. Mahjong develops memory and social skills through games. Lower First Form Cookery Club teaches pupils to cook a variety of dishes.

Leadership & Professional
Whitgift Apprentice enables student teams to develop business plans and compete in a national enterprise competition. The £100 Enterprise Club gives pupils real-world entrepreneurship experience and charity-focused prizes. Psychology: Whitgift Behavioural Insights Team applies behavioural research to school issues with student leadership and project delivery.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Recreational Sports Clubs and Activities cover Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Judo, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Water Polo, with a fitness suite and gym available. Sport is framed as a lifelong activity and a vehicle for developing life skills across all abilities.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages are at the core of the curriculum. All students study three languages in the First Form (out of six offered): Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, German, and Latin. Students whose mother tongue is not English may sit public exams in their mother tongue.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has a Section Francaise (F+) as part of its language provision.
Reputation

Accreditations
IB World School; ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate); HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference); BSA (Boarding Schools Association) }{
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the online application for 13+ or 14+ entry for September 2026 by October 6, 2025. Applications may include scholarship requests. Prepare and pre-scan documents (passport copy, passport photo, last two school reports, SEND documentation if applicable, and Scholarship application documents). The entrance exam fee is due immediately on receipt of the invoice, and the application must be signed by both parents.

2. If you are seeking a Bursary, register interest by November 21, 2025. Bursaries are available for Day places through the John Whitgift Foundation. See Fees and Bursaries for details.

3. Entrance examinations for 13+ and 14+ entry take place on November 8, 2025. For overseas boarders, examinations run from November 1 to November 7, 2025. Examinations cover English, Maths, and Science; EAL may be required if English is not the first language.

4. Interviews are held between November 19 and November 26, 2025. Students being considered for an offer attend a Senior Staff interview. A short meeting with parents follows.

5. Decisions are emailed to parents on December 5, 2025. For international boarders, decisions timing applies similarly. Acceptance deadlines follow: February 23, 2026.

6. Acceptance: The acceptance deadline for 13+/14+ is February 23, 2026 at midday. For overseas boarders, the acceptance deadline is December 11, 2025 at midday.

7. 13+ Pre-Test Entry 2028 (Boarding Only): Applications by November 7, 2025; Entrance Exams January 6, 2026; Interviews January 14–27, 2026; Decisions February 13, 2026.

8. International Students: Whitgift offers Child Student Visa support for international full boarding students and welcomes applications from self-sponsored international students.

9. Scholarships: For 13+/14+ entry, all students sitting the Entrance Examinations are considered for an academic scholarship; a separate scholarship application is not required. Students with exceptional ability may apply for Drama, Music, and Sport scholarships by completing and uploading the Whitgift Scholarship form with the main application; a maximum of three non-academic scholarships can be pursued if criteria are met. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the main application.

Scholarships
All students sitting the Entrance Examinations are considered for an academic scholarship; no separate scholarship application is required. Students with exceptional ability may apply for Drama, Music, and Sport scholarships by completing and uploading the Whitgift Scholarship form with the main online application; a maximum of three non-academic scholarships can be pursued if each area's criteria are met. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the main application.
School Events
The school has not added events
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