School Type:
Independent Co-Ed
Aged 3-18
Qualifications:
GCSE
A-Levels
BTEC
Boarding Options:
Full Boarding
Weekly Boarding
Flexible / Occasional Boarding
Language Support:
EAL & ESL support
Location:
Ipswich is located in the county of Suffolk and is a one hour train journey into central London and one hour to Cambridge.
Ipswich School is a co-educational independent boarding school located in the county of Suffolk. We are a 3-18 school with boarding from Year 7.
Our consistently excellent academic reputation, with a broad and challenging curriculum, made us Suffolk's top independent school in the Sunday Times Schools Guide for the last eight years. We pride ourselves on dynamic and interactive lessons, with small class sizes. We have a strong pastoral system to support our pupils. Most importantly, life at Ipswich School is busy and full, with all students taking part in a wide range of co-curricular activities outside the classroom. Boarding is of a high standard with three houses (Boys, Girls and Sixth Form) with approximately 40 students in each house.
Ipswich School
Statement of Purpose
At Ipswich School, we aim to provide an education that is both enriching and enjoyable, where pupils gain not only academic success but also meaningful experiences, lasting memories, and strong friendships that help shape who they become. We place equal value on intellectual curiosity and personal development, encouraging pupils to approach challenges with confidence, think independently, and engage fully in the opportunities around them. Through a supportive and inspiring environment, we nurture ambition, resilience, and a sense of gratitude, alongside an understanding of the importance of service and consideration for others. By the time they leave, pupils are equipped not only with excellent academic outcomes, but with a broad portfolio of skills, self-belief, and character - empowering them to shape their own extraordinary futures.
Full boarding and day fees
Termly Full Boarding
Full boarding (Years 7-8) £17,246
Full boarding (Years 9 -13) £19,991
Termly Day Fees - Prep School
Reception - £4,987
Year 1 & 2 - £5,998
Year 3 - £6,596
Year 4 - £6,296
Years 5 & 6 - £6,742
Termly Day Fees - Senior School
Years 7 & 8 - £8,104
Years 9 - 13 - £8,849
Scholarships
Ipswich School offers a range of scholarships in Academic, Music, Sport, and Art,
recognising and nurturing exceptional talent across a variety of disciplines. These
scholarships celebrate pupils’ strengths and potential, providing opportunities for further
development through specialist support, enrichment, and challenge within their chosen area.
Academic Summary
Ipswich School provides a broad and balanced education that nurtures individual potential, fosters curiosity, and supports pupils in achieving their best. The curriculum combines academic rigour with flexibility, offering a wide range of subjects, enrichment opportunities, and specialist support, including provision for academically gifted pupils and additional subject clinics.
Teaching is centred on encouraging critical thinking, confidence, and intellectual curiosity, supported by small class sizes and strong teacher-pupil relationships. Beyond the classroom, a diverse co-curricular programme promotes exploration, leadership, and teamwork, with pupils regularly achieving success in national competitions across a range of disciplines.
Together, this approach ensures that academic excellence and personal development go hand in hand, preparing pupils for extraordinary futures.
English Language Support
EAL support is tailored to each pupil’s individual needs, with lessons provided both during the week and on Saturday mornings. This flexible approach ensures that pupils receive the appropriate level of support to develop their English language skills and fully engage with all aspects of school life.
Extra-Curricular Activities
At Ipswich School, co-curricular opportunities are a central part of school life, offering pupils a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom. Activities span music, drama, sport, outdoor education, community service, and a variety of clubs, with over 100 sessions taking place each week before school, at lunchtime, and after school. Pupils in Years 9 to 13 can choose from over 25 options, while Lower School pupils benefit from more than 35 lunchtime clubs, including Mandarin, Chess, Debating, and Journalism, alongside music, drama, and sports training. This breadth of opportunity encourages pupils to explore their interests, develop new skills, and grow in confidence.
Accommodation
We provide a welcoming, home-from-home boarding experience within our safe and beautiful grounds in Ipswich. Westwood Boys’ Boarding House is a Victorian mansion set in wooded grounds, just a five-minute walk from the main school site, while Anglesea Heights Girls’ and Sixth Form Boarding Houses offer modern ensuite facilities, providing an experience similar to a university hall of residence. All our boarders benefit from a friendly and supportive environment, where they can thrive academically, socially and personally.
Facilities
Ipswich School offers exceptional facilities to support both creative and sporting excellence. Music is enriched through performance spaces including the 400-seat Great School Concert Hall with a Steinway Grand Piano, the 200-seat Little School with a Grotrian-Steinweg Grand Piano, and the Karl Daniels Concert Room, while Drama benefits from a dedicated studio equipped with professional stage lighting. Sport is supported by the purpose-built Rushmere Sports Centre, featuring astroturf and grass pitches, a large indoor sports hall, and extensive courts and changing facilities. Together, these high-quality spaces provide pupils with outstanding opportunities to develop their talents, build confidence, and excel across a wide range of disciplines.
Boarding Community
Ipswich School Boarding offers a vibrant, multicultural community with a truly global perspective. Pupils live and learn alongside peers from a diverse range of nationalities, developing empathy, strong communication skills, and cultural awareness. This environment fosters meaningful friendships across cultures and helps pupils grow in confidence within an internationally minded community.
Exam Results
At Ipswich School, academic excellence is underpinned by personalised teaching, a broad and balanced curriculum, and a strong culture of support. Pupils are encouraged to aim high and are inspired to achieve their full potential, with outcomes that consistently reflect this approach. In 2025, A Level results were outstanding, with 52% of grades awarded at A*-A, 82% at A*-B, and 96% at A*-C, alongside an average outcome equivalent to AAB. Over 80% of Year 13 pupils secured places at their first-choice university. At GCSE, pupils achieved equally impressive results, with 35% of grades at 8–9 and 60% at grade 7 or above, while 99% of all 139 pupils secured at least seven subjects at grade 4 or above. These results highlight the school’s commitment to academic achievement and the success of its supportive and ambitious learning environment.
Pastoral Care
At Ipswich School, the safety and wellbeing of every pupil is paramount. The school is committed to providing a secure and nurturing environment through robust safeguarding policies, regular staff training, and carefully monitored spaces. Pupils are encouraged to speak openly, supported by trusted adults, while strong partnerships with families ensure a consistent approach to care. This proactive and supportive safeguarding culture enable pupils to feel safe, valued, and confident to thrive both academically and personally.
The Ipswich School Approach
Experiences
...that shape. We provide opportunities that help shape the person each pupil becomes. From inspiring lessons to unique extracurricular experiences, we aim to cultivate curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning.
Memories
...that last. School life at Ipswich is full of moments that pupils treasure long after they leave. From special events to day-to-day discoveries, these experiences form a rich tapestry of memories that define their time here.
Friendships
...that endure. We encourage pupils to invest in meaningful friendships. These connections not only enrich their school years but also support and inspire them in their future endeavours, wherever life takes them.
Where to Find Us
Ipswich is located in the county of Suffolk and is a one hour train journey into central London and one hour to Cambridge. London Stansted is our nearest airport and is approximately one hour with London Heathrow and Gatwick two hours by car. We are only 25 miles away from the beautiful coastal town of Aldeburgh .
Ipswich School, 25 Henley Rd, Ipswich IP1 3SG