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Westbourne School

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

A leading independent school in Penarth, near Cardiff. Founded in 1896. GCSE, IB Diploma and A-Level programmes. Named Independent School of the Year by the Sunday Times — 2026.

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Westbourne School

Founded in 1896

380+ pupils

GCSE, IB, A-Level

School of the Year 2026 — Sunday Times

#1 for IB results in the UK

Max 18 pupils per class

Penarth, Wales

5 km from Cardiff

Westbourne School

Founded in 1896

380+ pupils

GCSE, IB, A-Level

School of the Year 2026 — Sunday Times

#1 for IB results in the UK

Max 18 pupils per class

Penarth, Wales

5 km from Cardiff

The school in numbers

Why families choose Westbourne School

An independent boarding school with over 125 years of history. GCSE, IB Diploma and A-Level programmes, small class sizes and a truly international community

Year founded

Pupils

Maximum class size

Programmes: GCSE, IB, A-Level

Boarding places

About the school

About Westbourne School

Westbourne School is an independent co-educational school in the seaside town of Penarth, just outside Cardiff. Founded in 1896, it is today one of the highest-performing independent schools in the United Kingdom: the Sunday Times named it Independent School of the Year 2026 in Wales, and it ranks first in the UK for IB results among co-educational boarding schools. Westbourne welcomes children from age 2 to 18 through its Nursery, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school has around 380 pupils from more than 30 countries, with class sizes capped at 16–18 — ensuring genuinely individual attention from every teacher. The boarding house is a two-minute walk from the main Senior School building and accepts pupils from age 12. Westbourne is renowned for its IB Diploma programme (offered since 2008), its dedicated STEM Innovation Hub, and partnerships with sister schools in Sydney and Singapore.

Founded in 1896

Over 125 years of history in Penarth — one of the safest and most charming towns in South Wales

GCSE, IB Diploma and A-Level

IB Diploma since 2008, with A-Level programmes launching in September 2025, focusing on STEM and business

#1 in the UK for IB

Ranked first among co-educational boarding schools for IB results (2025)

Max 18 pupils per class

Small class sizes throughout the school, ensuring a personalised approach for every child

Sport & watersports

Rugby, football, netball, tennis, cricket, sailing, paddleboarding and white-water rafting on the coast

Penarth, Wales

Minutes from the beach, just 5 km from Cardiff. One of the safest towns in the United Kingdom

Photo gallery

Campus & student life at Westbourne School

Victorian buildings in the heart of Penarth, comfortable boarding houses, a modern STEM Innovation Hub and direct access to the sea — all within walking distance

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Fees

How much does Westbourne School cost?

Full Boarding

from £49,200

per year · tuition + boarding (3 terms)

Day Pupil

from £22,000

per year · tuition only (3 terms)

Want to know the full cost?

Tuition + Boarding + Uniform + Insurance + Guardianship + Flights

Westbourne School is an outstanding school. But it may not be the right fit for every child.

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School Report

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Where the students actually come from

The boy-to-girl ratio

How many international vs local pupils

Boarders vs day pupils

Age breakdown across the school

Boarding house sizes and what they're like

Courses, subjects and how the school performs

What the school actually feels like day-to-day

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Key facts

Westbourne School at a glance

Overview

Founded in 1896, independent co-educational school

Four sections: Nursery (2–5), Prep (5–11), Senior (11–16), Sixth Form (16–18)

GCSE, IB Diploma and A-Level programmes (A-Level from September 2025)

Around 380 pupils from more than 30 countries

Member of HMC and ISC. Rated “Excellent” in all categories by Estyn

Results & awards

Independent School of the Year in Wales 2026 — Sunday Times

#1 in the UK for IB results (co-ed boarding, 2025)

Best Use of Technology 2025 — Independent School of the Year

IB School of the Year 2019 — Sunday Times

Graduates go on to leading universities in the UK, Europe and the USA

Sport & facilities

STEM Innovation Hub with state-of-the-art laboratories

Access to the Olympic-standard Cardiff Bay Sports Village

Rugby, football, netball, tennis, cricket and athletics

Watersports: sailing, paddleboarding, white-water rafting

Duke of Edinburgh Award, theatre, music and STEM clubs

Boarding & international life

Boarding house a two-minute walk from Senior School, from age 12

Dedicated No. 5 house for final-year IB2 pupils

Home Stay option available for pupils aged 16+

Sister schools in Sydney and Singapore — exchange programmes

Penarth — one of the safest towns in the United Kingdom

Tips

How to choose the right school in England

Before making a decision, research the rankings, location and fees carefully. Here are five key things to consider.

Programmes & subjects

Look closely at the subjects on offer and consider how well they align with your child's interests and university aspirations — particularly if specific courses are required for their intended degree.

Life beyond the classroom

Find out what the school offers outside of lessons — clubs, sports, music, drama and community activities. Co-curricular life plays a major role in developing confidence, resilience and social skills.

The full cost

Request a full breakdown of costs — not just tuition, but also travel, guardianship, uniform, school trips and incidental expenses. It is far better to plan ahead than to face unexpected surprises later.

Expert guidance

Work with an adviser who has visited the schools in person, rather than someone who simply reads information from the website. A good consultant will have been on campus and can give you an honest assessment.

Reviews & inspection reports

Read reviews from other parents and students. Study the school league tables and inspection reports. The more informed you are, the better your decision will be.

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Parent reviews

Reviews of Westbourne School

Our son has been at Westbourne for two years now, and we could not be happier. The small class sizes, the international atmosphere and the attentive teachers have made a real difference. He has grown in confidence, developed a genuine passion for science and is already preparing for the IB Diploma.

Jennifer K. mother of a Year 10 pupil

The MARYADI team made the entire process remarkably straightforward. They know Westbourne personally, explained what sets it apart from other schools, and helped with all the paperwork and visa arrangements. Our daughter is thriving — she has made friends from all over the world.

Brian & Deborah F. parents of a Sixth Form pupil

Penarth turned out to be a wonderful surprise. It is quiet, safe, and the sea is just a ten-minute walk away. The IB programme at Westbourne is outstanding, and the boarding house feels like a home away from home. MARYADI helped us compare several schools and settle on the very best option.

Sarah E. mother of a Year 9 pupil

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