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03 April 2025
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
by Ferdinand Steinbeis
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English Boarding Schools in Profile: Shrewsbury School, a True Boarding School in the Heart of England
Greetings from Richmond,
Recently, we hopped on a train to the heart of England to visit the beautiful Shrewsbury School – a long-standing partner school of von Bülow Education. We've been working closely with this exceptional boarding school for over 20 years, and during that time, we've placed many happy students here.
Still, it’s important to get a fresh perspective every now and then. That’s why we packed our visit with interviews – from Housemasters to the Headmaster – and took a comprehensive tour of the expansive school grounds. Our goal: to see how the academic standards, sports, music, and extracurricular opportunities have developed – and, of course, to get a glimpse inside the boarding houses.
One special highlight was the student-led campus tour. Our German student guides, Noah and Charlotte, gave us a real, unfiltered insight into life at Shrewsbury. It’s clear: they love it here. And we finally learned why Fives players from Shrewsbury are so popular at Oxford and Cambridge!
Come along and discover what makes this British boarding school so extraordinary.
Small university feel: Shrewsbury School's campus
The Setting
On our three-hour train journey north, bustling London quickly gave way to rolling countryside. A short taxi ride through the charming town of Shrewsbury, along the River Severn, brought us to the school gates. As we stepped through the grand entrance, it felt like entering another era. Manicured flowerbeds, ancient trees, and endless lawns stretched into rugby, football, and cricket pitches. In the distance, we heard the soft sound of a clarinet coming from the Maidment Building – practice was clearly underway.
Sports fields as far as the eye can see
Spanning 110 hectares of gently rolling land, the Shrewsbury School campus feels more like a small university. The River Severn borders the grounds, offering ideal training conditions for their outstanding rowing team. Beautifully restored Victorian red-brick buildings sit harmoniously alongside striking modern architecture, like the swimming complex and the light-filled Barnes Theatre foyer. Unlike many other schools, Shrewsbury succeeds in blending tradition with modernity in a truly aesthetic way.
Football is big here!
Set in rural Shropshire, the school neighbors the historic town of Shrewsbury – birthplace of Charles Darwin. Naturally, Darwin is among the school’s most famous alumni, known affectionately here as an “Old Salopian.”
Getting here is easy: from London, it's a three-hour train ride. Those arriving via Birmingham, Manchester, or Liverpool airports can reach the school in just 90 minutes by train.
Shrewsbury's music offer is one of the best in the UK
What Makes Shrewsbury School special
At von Bülow Education, we’re unanimous in our opinion: Shrewsbury School is a true all-rounder and one of the most complete boarding schools we know. Its academic programme is top-tier, and its vast extracurricular offerings – from sports to music to personal development – are impressively well-rounded.
In some sports, such as football and rowing, Shrewsbury School shines with regular appearances in finals and gold medal wins. But this athletic strength is perfectly balanced by an outstanding music department, with over half the student body participating.
Seen in Oldham's boarding house
Around 75% of students are full boarders, meaning they stay on campus even on weekends. And that’s immediately evident in the school’s warm, welcoming atmosphere. We currently have four students placed here – several of whom have extended their stay. That says it all, doesn’t it?
Shrewsbury School also invests in its students' futures with a well-equipped Futures Department, offering career advice and university application support. The results speak for themselves: dozens have gone on to Oxford, Cambridge, or Harvard, and 70% of graduates gain places at top UK universities. Thanks to a vast, global alumni network, Shrewsbury remains a lifelong community for its students.
Darwin's legacy: natural sciences are especially well taught here.
Academic Life – Excellence in Education
Recent exam results underscore the school’s academic strength: 54% of GCSE grades were top marks (9–7), and 43% of A-Level results were A* or A.
Learning at Shrewsbury School is rigorous and highly personalised. Classes typically have 10–12 students, and in some cases, one-on-one instruction is provided. “I chose Ancient Greek and was the only one in class for a whole term – that was intense,” says Charlotte. Teaching is guided by Darwinian values: independent thinking, critical inquiry, and hands-on research. Field trips are popular – recently to the Galápagos Islands, and soon to Mexico.
Someone hard at work in the stunning Moser Library.
The school’s excellence in science was recently recognised with a gold award in the British Physics Olympiad – placing Shrewsbury students in the top 4% nationally. Importantly, students with solid B or C grades are also fully supported.
The stunning Moser Library holds 40,000 books and rare treasures, including Darwin’s personal notes and works – alongside a biography of football star Jude Bellingham!
For the curious, there are subjects like Astronomy and Classical Civilisation. Spanish is more popular than French, and Chinese has overtaken German in demand. In Sixth Form, the most popular subjects include Maths, Sciences, English, History, Business, and Economics, while subjects like Art History, Computer Science, Latin, and Greek attract smaller but dedicated groups.
Just outside the so-called Futures Department
The Futures Department is a major point of pride. Admissions Director Martin Cropper explains: “Three full-time staff develop five-year plans with each student, helping them navigate career choices and university admissions.” Students learn how to write CVs, prepare for interviews, and connect with “Old Salopians” who offer mentoring and career advice.
Yes, music is fab here!
Beyond the Classroom – A Vibrant Extracurricular Life
Boredom simply doesn’t exist at Shrewsbury School. Sport, music, drama, and inter-house competitions – or matches against other schools – are all part of daily life. Noah, one of our student guides, is passionate about football. After school, training comes first – and it’s paying off. He now plays on the first team and recently competed in the ISFA Final against Bradfield College at Milton Keynes Stadium. When their team bus left campus, it felt like a Bundesliga club on tour!
This marks the third consecutive year Shrewsbury School’s football team has reached the finals – a testament to their excellence.
Muddy boots: lots of amazing sports also!
In addition to traditional sports like athletics, basketball, fencing, golf, diving, tennis, polo, swimming, and rugby, we discovered something unique: Fives. Played in open-sided courts, it’s like squash but played with a gloved hand. It’s wildly popular – especially among students aiming for Oxford or Cambridge, where Salopians are highly sought-after team players.
Meanwhile, gold medals gleam in the school’s historic boat house. With a 150-year rowing tradition and regular appearances at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, the team trains hard. “They’re on the water before lessons even start,” says Charlotte, who tried rowing but now prefers her time in the Maidment Music Building.
Seen in the Maidment Building, Shrewsbury's music department
Music is central to life at Shrewsbury School. The circular Maidment Building houses a beautiful concert hall and music classrooms, where 400 students take lessons. There’s space for all musical interests. Six orchestras (from string ensemble to big band) and three choirs perform regularly. Voice coaching, school musicals, and masterclasses with Royal Academy musicians round out the programme.
We were especially impressed by the school’s commitment to social engagement. “We like to get them out into the world,” says Headmaster Winkley with a smile. Students choose from 50+ volunteering activities: helping in senior homes, tutoring younger children, or performing music for local residents. The “Scratch Orchestra” even brings together town kids and Shrewsbury students for collaborative performances.
The extracurricular programme is so rich that even day pupils often spend weekends on campus. There’s simply no time for boredom – or excessive phone use. “I’m either in class, training, or studying,” says Noah. Mission accomplished, says Mr. Winkley: “A busy teenager is a good teenager.” We couldn’t agree more.
Additional offerings include outdoor adventure, debate, eco club, coding, and more. Students can also propose their own projects – and receive full school support, as long as they’re committed.
Oldham's boys boarding house
Boarding Life – A Second Family
With around 825 students from 33 nations, Shrewsbury is truly international while maintaining its strong British identity. Around 600 students stay on campus over the weekend, including about 150 from abroad. Students live in 12 houses – seven for boys and five for girls – each with its own unique spirit and friendly rivalries.
We visited Oldhams, the oldest boys' house on campus. Around 70 boys aged 13 to 18 live here, in shared rooms when they’re younger and singles as they get older. “To help new students settle in, we’ve created a mentor programme,” says Housemaster Henry Exham, who lives and breathes his role. “I went to boarding school myself and always wanted to be a Housemaster. It’s an incredibly fulfilling responsibility.”
Oldham's single room
Oldhams is spotless and welcoming, with cozy common rooms, large sofas, a pool table, and – of course – video games and a big screen. Henry fosters a strong sense of community.
Activities include weekend outings and the highly anticipated cooking challenge. In the dining hall, house groups eat together, and the bond between younger and older students is clear – high-fives across year groups are the norm. Being an “Oldham” is a point of pride, symbolised by a coveted house scarf – earned, not given.
Oldham's very own in-house gym
Phones are clearly not the center of life here. Up to Year 10, devices are collected in the morning and returned in the afternoon – then collected again at night. Only Sixth Form students have more flexibility. “But I hardly check mine,” says Noah. “There’s just too much going on.”
Shrewsbury's much coveted house scarfs
Our Verdict – Who Is Shrewsbury School Right For?
We recommend Shrewsbury School to students who are academically inclined and eager to dive into the full boarding school experience. Life here is rich, structured, and full of opportunities – and the extracurricular programme is truly world-class. You could easily spend two years here and still not try everything.
But what you will leave with is a head full of knowledge, new hobbies, lifelong friendships – and the title of “Salopian,” which will stay with you forever.
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Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com
Holbrooke House
34 - 38 Hill Rise
Richmond
TW10 6UA
Tel: +44 (0) 203 9534063
Email: info@buloweducation.com