Tonbridge is one of the leading boarding and day schools in the UK and is highly respected, both here and internationally, for providing a world-class education. From 2028, the School will welcome day girls into a newly co-educational Sixth Form, with boarders following in 2030. The Lower School (Years 9–11) will remain boys-only.
The School is situated across an extensive site of 150 acres in Kent – just a 40-minute train journey from London Charing Cross. There are 800 pupils in seven boarding Houses and five day Houses.
A Tonbridge education emphasises independent thinking and academic enrichment alongside a vibrant co-curricular programme. Pupils regularly achieve international success, representing the UK at Olympiads, ranking amongst the world’s top students in Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Economics and Sciences. Boys also excel at the top levels in creative endeavours and sport, having the space, time and support to excel in their chosen fields.
The School is renowned for its excellent teaching and for academic achievement. Each year, exam results at GCSE and A level are outstanding, with students progressing to leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Russell Group institutions: the large majority securing their first-choice destination.
Tonbridge leavers have also recently gained places (and scholarships) at top US institutions including Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dartmouth, Northeastern and UC Berkeley and, worldwide, at universities in Austria, Australia, Canada, China and Hong Kong. The latest enhancement, Think 25, encourages students to consider where they want to be at 25, supported by mentoring and careers guidance extending beyond university.
Pastoral care is based around an outstanding House system. Strong and positive relationships between pupils, staff and parents are central to its success, and the School strives to ensure that each pupil feels fully at home and well supported.
Guided by the ethos Only Connect: Fine Minds and Good Hearts, Tonbridge pupils have the confidence, character and purpose to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
The School has a genuine commitment to widening access: a key part of its ethos is to ensure that any bright, talented boy has the opportunity to benefit from a Tonbridge education, regardless of background or financial situation. The School aims to increase the number of boys on significant financial support by the time of its 475th anniversary in 2028.
Location. Tonbridge School is just off the M25, on the edge of the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders, and attracts families from all over southern England and beyond. It lies in 150 acres of land on the edge of the town of Tonbridge, providing a good balance between town and country living.
Financial assistance (Foundation Awards). A limited number of Junior Foundation Scholarships (Year 6) are available for boys who are both academically talented and intellectually curious but whose families may struggle to afford school fees. Candidates must register by the end of September in Year 6. They will sit the ISEB test and participate in an interview and assessment afternoon in November, with stronger candidates returning for further tests in Maths and English in February. These scholarships, confirmed in Year 6, may offer means-tested financial support of up to 100%, enabling boys from outside the independent sector to attend prep school for Years 7 and 8, and subsequently Tonbridge from Year 9.
Scholarships.
13+ entry:
Tonbridge offers Academic, Art, Design Technology and Engineering, Drama, Music, and Sports (Cowdrey) Scholarships. Applications are open to boys entering Year 9. To be eligible, applicants must already hold an Unconditional Offer of a place at the School before undertaking a scholarship assessment in Year 8. Candidates are welcome to apply for more than one scholarship.
Those who do not require, or are not eligible for financial support, a one-off payment of £2,000 will be made in recognition of their achievement. This amount will be deducted from the first term’s fees.
16+ entry:
Tonbridge’s Sixth Form Scholarship Programme celebrates exceptional talent within academic, music and sporting domains and has been designed to attract, nurture and support new Sixth Form students in their areas of strength. They are expected to participate actively in all aspects of School life, embodying the values and spirit of the School community.
Candidates are welcome to apply for more than one scholarship and all Sixth Form Scholarships can be held in conjunction with means-tested financial support.
Sixth Form Scholar entrants will be awarded 20% fee remission for the duration of the Sixth Form (two years).
Fees per term (2026–2027). £21,417 for a boarding place and £16,069 for a day place.
Charitable status. Tonbridge School is a Registered Charity, number 1097977.
Governors & Staff:
Headmaster: J E Priory, MA Oxon
Second Master: J R Bleakley, BA
Chief Operating Officer: W R May, BA, MCIPs
Deputy Head Academic: M J Weatheritt, MA
Deputy Head Admissions & Communications: Mrs H F McLintock, BA
Deputy Head Co-Curricular: Mrs J H McNeil, BA
Deputy Head Pastoral: C J C Swainson, MA
Lower Master: Mr S M Cleary, BSc
Director of Learning & Academic Enrichment: Mr J Blake, BA, MSc
Tonbridge Society Director: A Ballard, BA