Dauntsey’s School Open Day
Open Days and Open Weeks
- #1 Open Day: 2026-05-09 10:00:00
- #2 Open Day: 2026-10-10 08:30:00
Join our Open Morning on 9 May for a chance to tour the school and meet with staff
11+ and 13+ Entry – Memorial Hall
10:00 – Coffee served
10:20 – Welcome address from the Head Master, John Davies
10:50 – Tours of the school hosted by our current pupils
12:00 – Lunch and an opportunity to meet staff
Those families interested in boarding will be offered the opportunity to visit our Lower School Boarding House from 9am. Full details regarding this visit will be sent out closer to the time.
To register for the May Open Morning, please click here.
Overview
- Key Stage 3 (KS3): 11–14
- Key Stage 4 (KS4): 14–16
- Key Stage 5 (KS5): 16–18
- Day
- Weekly Boarding
- Full Boarding
- Co-educational
Religious Affiliation
Student Numbers
Gender Profile %
Offering
Curriculum
- GCSE
- iGCSE
- A Levels (Advanced Level)
- BTEC Level 3
Summer Programmes
English Language Support
- EAL (English as an Additional Language)
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Dance
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- Electronics
- English Language
- English Literature
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Latin
- Music
- Physical Education (PE)
- Physics
- Religious Studies (RS)
- Spanish
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classical Civilisation
- Computer Science
- Design and Technology
- Drama and Theatre
- Economics
- English Literature
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
Sports & Outdoors
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Athletics
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Football
- Hockey
- Horse riding
- Rugby
- Swimming
Music, Drama & Arts
- Music bands
- Public speaking
- Theater
Academic, Debate & Leadership
Academic
- Science laboratories
- Library digital and print
- Computer lab / IT suite
- Art studio
- Music rooms
- Drama studio
Sports & Recreation
- Sports hall
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Cricket pitches
- Tennis courts
- Equestrian centres
Boarding & Pastoral Care
- Common rooms
- Dining hall
Other Amenities
- On-site chaplaincy or prayer rooms
- Gardens and landscaped grounds
Dauntsey’s School operates a highly regarded and fully integrated Academic Support department that specializes in assisting students with mild-to-moderate neurodiverse profiles, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD. The provision is characterized by a “whole-school” approach to inclusion, where specialist staff work in close partnership with academic departments to implement effective classroom strategies and reasonable adjustments. Support is delivered through a structured, graduated response ranging from subtle differentiation within the standard curriculum to targeted small-group workshops and bespoke one-to-one specialist tuition focused on executive functioning, literacy, and advanced study skills. Furthermore, the department provides rigorous coordination for Exam Access Arrangements, ensuring that all pupils are equipped with the necessary tools—such as assistive technology or extra time—to translate their intellectual potential into academic success at GCSE and A-Level within this high-achieving environment.
Admissions
Fee-Paying
Fees Per Term
Tuition Per Year
Entry Requirements
- 11+ (Year 7): Candidates sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test or the school’s own bespoke assessments (English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning). Selection is based on these results, a school reference, and an interview conducted during an assessment day.
- 13+ (Year 9): Admission is typically based on the ISEB Common Pre-Test (taken in Year 6 or early Year 7) and a formal interview. Note that Year 9 entry is primarily restricted to boarding places.
- 16+ (Sixth Form): Candidates must achieve a minimum of six GCSEs at Grade 6 or above, with Grade 7+ preferred for subjects intended for A-Level study. Entrance involves a school report, predicted grades, and a formal academic interview.
Key Dates for Admissions
- 11+ Entry (First Form / Year 7)
- Registration Deadline: Monday, 12 October 2026.
- Entrance Examination: Tuesday, 19 January 2027 (Bespoke online tests and creative writing paper).
- Admissions Interviews: Held on 21 and 22 January 2027.
- Offers Issued: The week commencing 1 February 2027.
- Acceptance Deadline: Early March 2027.
- 13+ Entry (Third Form / Year 9)
- Registration Deadline: Most boarding places for 2027 were registered by 1 January 2026.
- ISEB Common Pre-Test: Typically taken in the Spring Term of 2026 (at the student’s current school).
- Taster Days & Interviews: Held in March 2026 for early offers.
- Scholarship Assessments: For students already holding offers, these take place in February 2027.
- 16+ Entry (Sixth Form / Year 12)
- Registration Deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026.
- Scholarship & Entrance Exams: Saturday, 14 November 2026.
- Admissions Interviews: Conducted the week commencing 16 November 2026.
- Offers Issued: Monday, 30 November 2026.
Results
Dauntsey’s students achieved strong results in the 2025 examination cycle, reinforcing the school’s standing as a top-tier academic institution in the South West.
- A-Level: Approximately 46% of all entries achieved A–A grades*, with 75% of entries reaching A–B*.
- GCSE: 62% of entries were graded 9–7 (the equivalent of A*–A), with particularly high performance in STEM subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and Creative Arts.
The vast majority of leavers (99%) progress to higher education, with two-thirds typically securing places at Russell Group universities.
- Top UK Destinations: University of Exeter, Bristol, Bath, Durham, UCL, and Manchester are among the most popular choices.
- Oxbridge Success: The school consistently places students at Oxford and Cambridge for subjects ranging from Human Sciences to Natural Sciences.
- Global Reach: Increasing numbers of students are successfully applying to international institutions, including NYU and George Washington University in the US, as well as universities in Spain and the Netherlands.
- Specialist Pathways: Dauntsey’s is noted for its success in placing students into competitive Medicine, Veterinary Science, and elite Arts Foundation courses (such as Central St Martins).
Recognition and Inspection
- Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI): In the most recent full inspection, Dauntsey’s was rated “Excellent” in all categories, specifically praised for the quality of pupils’ academic achievements and their personal development.
- Innovation: The school is recognized for its unique “Moonraker” program and its ownership of the world-famous tall ship Jolie Brise, which has won the International Tall Ships Races multiple times, providing students with world-class leadership and teamwork recognition.
- Pastoral Award: Often shortlisted for awards related to its holistic “adventure education” approach, which is credited with building the “Mercer’s spirit” of resilience.
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