West Buckland School

West Buckland, Barnstaple, EX32 0SX

Senior school in Barnstaple.

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Age range
3–18
Co-ed status
Mixed
Number of students
603
Day / boarding
Day only
Religious affiliation
Christian
Average fees
£18,387 (annual, inc. VAT)
Has a nursery
Yes

Fee profile

Pre-Reception —
Reception £10,113
Year 1 £10,611
Year 2 £10,611
Year 3 £13,515
Year 4 £13,515
Year 5 £17,220
Year 6 £17,220
Year 7 £23,517
Year 8 £23,517
Year 9 £23,517
Year 10 £23,517
Year 11 £23,517
Year 12 £23,517
Year 13 £23,517

Bursaries

Yes

Scholarships

Yes

A-level results

% A*–A37%
% A*–B66%
Subjects21

Results shown for 2025.

Subject popularity

By percentage of all A-level exams taken.

Mathematics13%
Chemistry11%
Biology11%
Psychology11%
Finance + Business11%

Admissions

West Buckland admits across prep, senior and sixth form, with families encouraged to visit, take a personal tour and, where useful, arrange a taster day before formal application. The public process feels clear and traditional, balancing openness with age-appropriate assessment at key entry points.

How the school describes itself

  • West Buckland says it nurtures potential and develops global citizens through honesty, respect, curiosity, resilience and kindness.
  • The school combines aspiration with warmth and a strong sense of community responsibility.
  • The school is grounded, outward-looking and quietly confident.

Parents like

  • A broad rural school that could suit families wanting day and boarding flexibility without the scale of the most famous West Country brands.
  • The values language and relatively grounded tone may be attractive to parents looking for substance over flash.
  • It seems especially relevant for families who want continuity from junior to sixth form.

Inspection snapshot

West Buckland's current inspection messaging centres on 2023 ISI reporting, including later progress-monitoring material, with the school stating that the relevant requirements were met. That fits the wider public image of a well-run all-through day and boarding school with strong pastoral structures.

West Buckland School

Senior school in Barnstaple.

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How the school describes itself

  • West Buckland says it nurtures potential and develops global citizens through honesty, respect, curiosity, resilience and kindness.
  • The school combines aspiration with warmth and a strong sense of community responsibility.
  • The school is grounded, outward-looking and quietly confident.

Fee profile

Annual fees including VAT. 2025-26.

Reception£10,113
Year 1£10,611
Year 2£10,611
Year 3£13,515
Year 4£13,515
Year 5£17,220
Year 6£17,220
Year 7£23,517
Year 8£23,517
Year 9£23,517
Year 10£23,517
Year 11£23,517
Year 12£23,517
Year 13£23,517

A-level results

% A*–A37%
% A*–B66%
Different A-level subjects21

Results shown for 2025.

Popular subjects

By percentage of all A-level exams taken.

Mathematics13%
Chemistry11%
Biology11%
Psychology11%
Finance + Business11%

Parents like

  • A broad rural school that could suit families wanting day and boarding flexibility without the scale of the most famous West Country brands.
  • The values language and relatively grounded tone may be attractive to parents looking for substance over flash.
  • It seems especially relevant for families who want continuity from junior to sixth form.

Admissions

West Buckland admits across prep, senior and sixth form, with families encouraged to visit, take a personal tour and, where useful, arrange a taster day before formal application. The public process feels clear and traditional, balancing openness with age-appropriate assessment at key entry points.

Scholarships

West Buckland publishes scholarships for major entry points and combines them with limited means-tested bursaries, including a small number of fully funded places through its foundation. The school makes clear that awards recognise merit while bursaries are the route for deeper fee support.

Bursaries

West Buckland says it may be able to provide means-tested bursaries in addition to scholarships, sibling discounts and Armed Forces support. The school’s foundation also publishes a small number of fully funded bursaries, traditionally linked to senior-school entry for local state-school children.

  • General bursaries are considered after an offer of a place; foundation-funded fully funded bursaries are traditionally linked to Year 7 through Year 13 routes.
  • The school says general bursary funds are limited, while the foundation also publishes fully funded bursary routes in some cases.
  • Families should apply after receiving an offer and should confirm whether they are applying for the general school bursary route or a foundation-funded place.

Inspection snapshot

West Buckland's current inspection messaging centres on 2023 ISI reporting, including later progress-monitoring material, with the school stating that the relevant requirements were met. That fits the wider public image of a well-run all-through day and boarding school with strong pastoral structures.

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