Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh, England
Sedbergh School is a true gem among British boarding schools – a genuine full boarding school nestled in the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales in northern England. Here, academic excellence meets a lived community spirit and a setting that couldn’t be more quintessentially British. The entire school life takes place on the extensive campus, with traditional boarding houses where pupils not only live but also dine together. Sedbergh is renowned for its outstanding sport, especially rugby, as well as its impressive outdoor activities and creative offerings in art and design. The close connection to nature shapes daily life just as much as the strong sense of community within the boarding houses – and it is precisely this that gives the school its very special atmosphere. If you long for a school with substance, character and plenty of room to grow, Sedbergh is the perfect choice.
The Details
The Academics
Sedbergh offers GCSEs and A Levels and is not overly selective academically – which makes its solid results all the more impressive: in 2024, 34.5% of pupils achieved A grades at A Level, and 32% of GCSE grades were in the 9–7 range. The school places great emphasis on individual support: many teachers live directly on campus and are available after lessons for one-on-one tutoring, targeted exam preparation or simply a motivating chat. Support for pupils with dyslexia or dyspraxia is particularly strong.
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French, Latin and Spanish.
The Boarding
Sedbergh is a true full boarding school – with over 95% of pupils boarding. This not only creates structure but, above all, a sense of community. The nine boarding houses – six for boys, three for girls – are the heart of the school. Each house has its own character, traditions and community. Younger pupils usually share rooms in pairs or triples, while in the Sixth Form everyone has their own single room.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Sedbergh School is a true all-round boarding school with a strong community spirit.
In sport, Sedbergh ranks among the very best: the rugby team is currently considered one of the top school teams in the UK. But the school shines well beyond rugby – lacrosse, athletics, equestrian (with its own school team!), shooting, hockey, football, tennis and sailing are all firmly on the agenda.
For nature and adventure enthusiasts, Sedbergh is a genuine paradise: surrounded by the Yorkshire Dales, pupils can fish, kayak, mountain bike, climb or simply spend time outdoors – outdoor education is an integral part of daily school life.
And anyone thinking Sedbergh is only strong in sport would be mistaken: the drama programme is vibrant and ambitious, led by a very dedicated Head of Drama, with at least five major productions a year. Art and Design & Technology also enjoy an excellent reputation – with creative projects, inspiring teachers and plenty of room to experiment.
Weaknesses
We’ve heard that some of the boarding houses are not quite up to date. A tip for visitors: be sure to see at least two different houses!
Location
Sedbergh School is located in the idyllic village of Sedbergh in northern England—right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The nearest larger town is Lancaster, about 30 minutes away. From there, regular train services connect to Manchester, whose international airport is roughly 1.5 hours away.
Kendal - 25 mins by car
Perfect for pupils who love the classic boarding school life—with plenty of sport, fresh air, and a true sense of community.
Sedbergh town has a surprising number of good little restaurants for its size.
Take a look at similar schools
Blundell´s School
Giggleswick School
Strathallan School
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