Truro School
Truro School
Truro, England
Truro School sits majestically on the hillside above the town of the same name, right in the heart of Cornwall — offering sweeping views over rooftops, the sea, beaches, and rugged coastline. The location alone is spectacular. Despite having over 750 pupils and thus being relatively large, the school maintains a warm and friendly atmosphere. It regularly features in national rankings — excelling in sailing, surfing, fencing, music, and football. Particularly impressive is the extensive extracurricular program: over 70 activities to choose from, many of them directly in, on, or by the water.
The Details
The Academics
Truro is not a particularly selective school, which makes its academic results all the more impressive. In 2024, 45% of students achieved A grades at A-Level, and over 50% of GCSE grades were between 9 and 7. The school takes particular pride in ranking among the top 10 in the so-called "Added Value Score" — a measure of how much individual students improve during their time here.
Another standout feature is the excellent support for students with special educational needs. An experienced team of three specialists offers targeted one-on-one or small group support for conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and autism spectrum disorders.
Languages Taught
English as a Foreign Language, French, Spanish and German.
The Boarding
Most students come from Cornwall, so the boarding community—with about ten percent boarders—is small, family-like, and very personal. The boarding community is pleasantly international: alongside British students, there are young people from China, Hong Kong, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Ukraine, France, Russia, the USA, and Dubai.
Boarding students live in three centrally located houses between the town and the school campus. Younger girls reside in the cozy Pentreve House, which has only eight rooms, while older girls live in Malvern House, with 22 rooms. The largest house, Trennick, accommodates 35 boys. Younger students share multi-bed rooms, while those aged 16 and above have single rooms. Houseparents live on-site and are available around the clock.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
A major strength of the school is undoubtedly its location in a unique landscape with excellent access to the very charming city of Truro.
Sport-wise, Truro is a real hidden gem—especially for those who want to take on wind and water. The school’s surfing academy enjoys a national reputation, with students regularly placing among the top in the Junior English Surf Championships. Truro is also extremely strong in fencing. For those who prefer riding, sailing, or simply playing good football or tennis, it’s equally well equipped. Many sports—including golf, cricket, and athletics—are coached by professionals.
Music holds a very high status at Truro. As the home school of the cathedral choir, Truro is exceptionally well established musically. Choristers can receive a 25% scholarship, and those wanting instrumental lessons find excellent support. The state-of-the-art music centre will open in 2026.
And beyond that? Over 100 clubs! The offerings range from an astronomy club and robotics to cooking in the school’s professional kitchen and start-up simulations. Our highlight remains the water sports. Anyone who has gone surfing by the sea in the morning and then had physics class with a view of the water knows what it means to combine learning with real life.
Weaknesses
The location in Cornwall is stunning, but it is also quite far out in the southwest of the island, which can be rather inconvenient for families who need to travel frequently. The boarding population is relatively small, at under ten percent. However, the school makes great efforts to warmly integrate its international students.
Location
Truro School sits on a hill overlooking the rooftops of the town and the impressive neo-Gothic cathedral — offering a true Cornwall panorama. The 64-hectare campus is green and spacious, just a five-minute walk from the charming town centre. Despite its natural setting, the school is well connected: Truro station provides direct links to London, and nearby Newquay airport connects Cornwall with several European cities.
A very charming school with excellent personal support and an outstanding watersports program — located in one of England’s most scenic and characterful regions.
If you’re here, you simply must try surfing!
Take a look at similar schools
West Buckland School
Bournemouth Collegiate School
Ryde School
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