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English Boarding Schools in Profile: Dean Close School

Hello from Richmond,

During our last visit to Cheltenham, one of the most beautiful Regency towns in England, we visited the small but excellent boarding school Dean Close. Next to the big names like Cheltenham College and The Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Dean Close seems like the little sister. But anyone who has a little sister knows that you shouldn’t underestimate her. It’s no coincidence that we’ve enjoyed working with Dean Close for 20 years.

This time, our visit included a meeting with the international team, homemade cake, a tour of the campus, and a look at how the school has developed overall. In the sunshine, we were able to see classrooms, the cookery school, and sports facilities, and we even attended a netball match played by the middle school girls. The energy and focus were palpable, even up in the stands.

For us, visiting Dean Close felt like visiting friends who know how to combine a good education with a good life. Come along on the tour.

The school’s main building

The Setting

As we travel by train from bustling London to Dean Close, we lean back and relax for the two-and-a-half-hour journey, watching the scenery gradually change from urban landscapes with warehouses and suburbs to gently rolling meadows, hedgerows, scattered flocks of sheep, and small villages — typically English.

Dean Close is located on the edge of the charming spa town of Cheltenham, right by the Cotswolds. After a brief visit to the town, which could easily be compared to Baden-Baden and is famous for its horse races and numerous festivals, we arrive at the beautifully maintained school.

The welcoming campus stretches across 20 hectares of land. Traditional brick buildings alternate with modern learning centers, sports facilities, and boarding houses. At its heart stands the Victorian chapel, used three times a week for services and assemblies. All 500 pupils fit inside and experience a strong sense of community. And perhaps one or two German students will prick up their ears when they hear the Dean Close school hymn for the first time: “Now Thank We All Our God.”

We meet Kelly, Dominik, and Rebecca from the Admissions and International Team, who greet us with cake and tea — very British. But it’s not just about politeness: friendliness is truly lived here, creating an atmosphere of warmth and trust. That’s something our families who visit the school also tell us.

Renowned for excellent hockey

What (in our opinion!) Makes Dean Close Special

We love Dean Close for its warm and caring atmosphere, where children’s needs are met in an unpretentious and calm way. Introverted and quiet students also do very well here. The manageable size of the school certainly plays a role, as teachers and houseparents are able to give each child more personal attention. And at Dean Close, they know how important friendships are. That’s why the school places great emphasis on the induction days for international students, offering many activities to help them quickly become familiar with the school, the town, and their new life. New friends? No problem.

Academically well-established, the school also offers many opportunities for children who are interested in sports. Hockey is where the school particularly shines (not least thanks to former national player and Director of Sport Gary Tredgett) and it has already competed in more than 50 national finals. Riding lessons in the nearby stables are also very popular, and students regularly win ribbons and prizes in dressage, show jumping, and eventing.

The art program is also great

For us, Dean Close is a school that doesn’t try to fit students into molds – it offers a very personal atmosphere: students and teachers treat each other with friendly respect, individual talents are taken seriously, and there is a genuine sense of community. What particularly impressed us was the encouragement to be versatile. Whether in music, sport, drama, or technology – every child is encouraged to try new things and follow their own path.

Dean Close is guided by five core values: collaboration, compassion, critical thinking, communication, and creativity – and from everything we have seen, these values are truly embedded in everyday school life.

A lot of academic support

Academics

The most recent exam results from 2024 demonstrate the school’s academic quality: 54 percent of GCSE grades were in the top range (grades 9–7), while 43 percent of A-Level results were graded A. Academically, Dean Close follows a clear and ambitious path. In the Sixth Form, students are thoroughly prepared for the British A-Level system, with small study groups and dedicated subject teachers who inspire not only good grades but also deep understanding, critical thinking, and curiosity. We were impressed by the broad range of subjects, which, in addition to classics such as maths, biology, or history, also includes subjects like drama, psychology, and politics. Particularly noteworthy is the subject of Product Design, which is taught in the modern Design and Technology Centre.

For our German-speaking students, there is excellent EAL support (English as an Additional Language), helping to quickly overcome any initial language barriers.

A colorful sight: seen in the art department

To study in peace, the bright and modern library offers quiet space over two floors. As we walk past the classrooms, something catches our eye that we don’t know from Germany: the “Clinics Drop-In” signs on some doors. Here, students can simply stop by a teacher’s room to get extra help with something they haven’t fully understood yet. This tutoring system is widely used and takes away the pressure of having to grasp everything perfectly during lessons.

At Dean Close, students gain not only classic academic knowledge but also the values needed to navigate technological change. Artificial intelligence has recently become a top priority, and the school has not only recognized its potential but also actively integrated it. With transparency and responsibility, a special AI-themed week was held recently, giving all subject areas – from science to archaeology – the opportunity to explore and present positive and creative uses of AI.

We are not at all surprised that a good number of graduates go on to study at prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge and other Russell Group institutions. Others choose alternative paths such as studying in the USA or Hong Kong, training to become pilots, or signing professional sports contracts in hockey and rugby.

The school’s climbing wall

Boarding

About half of the “Decanians” – the students of Dean Close – live in boarding, spread across six houses, all located on campus. Two large houses for boys and two for girls accommodate students from Year 9 to Year 13, and there is also a separate, smaller Sixth Form house for those who prefer a quieter, more university-style environment. This combination of family-like community and youthful independence works remarkably well and offers the right setting for every personality. The close friendships formed here often last a lifetime. We were particularly surprised by the number of German students: usually, only one child per year group and per house is admitted, which makes learning English with new friends completely natural.

We visit Shelburne, a girls’ house located next to one of the playing fields, where sunlight streams through the large windows. As is often the case in girls’ houses, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The sofas invite you to relax and chat, and the kitchen stands ready for action. The housemother shows us the twin rooms, which offer plenty of space to make oneself feel at home. Everywhere you look, you find small motivational quotes that can give you an extra boost of energy even on a rainy day.

Room with a view!

Day pupils and boarders naturally grow together here. The day houses, built in a style reminiscent of Scandinavian wooden architecture, are arranged around a shared courtyard, which encourages encounters and a sense of closeness. “Here the two groups mix really well,” says Rebecca. From shared sports activities and evening movie nights to debates in the Sixth Form Lounge, what matters here is who you are — not where you sleep.

Verdict – Who is Dean Close right for?

We definitely recommend Dean Close for hockey-loving girls. But it’s also ideal for families looking for a well-balanced school where children can explore and develop academically, creatively, athletically, or socially. For us, Dean Close is a school with heart, integrity, and a very clear identity.

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—English Boarding Schools in Profile: Dean Close School

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English Boarding Schools in Profile: Dean Close School