There’s never a dull moment when it comes to Rendcomb College, a co-educational day and boarding school situated in the verdant Cotswolds region. It has 230 acres of parkland, surrounded by classic English villages, lively market towns, historic museums — a rural fairytale. Recently, Year 7 took a trip to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and the Cheltenham Science Festival. The performers of Year 12 concluded their three-day run of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on stage, while Rendcomb’s lacrosse team put up a tough fight at the England Lacrosse National Championships, where 45 schools competed.

Rendcomb College’s holistic approach to education feeds every curiosity, every passion. Learning here nurtures physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, equipping students with the self-confidence to succeed after graduation. The school’s GCSE and A Level curricula include the latest in pedagogy, allowing students to best engage with real, rigorous challenges and become thoughtful, adventurous, and ambitious leaders.

Rendcomb College embraces cultural diversity. Approximately 30% of its community is international, so students are getting insight into what it's like to be a global citizen in an interconnected society. It’s a home away from home, with nations like Thailand, Canada, Dubai, China, Nigeria, Japan, Germany, and more represented across the hallways. In small class sizes, students can share their perspectives unique to their backgrounds. Every voice is heard, every opinion is respected.

Here, international students are supported every step of the way. From before they arrive on campus, navigating visa applications to their first day in the semester. Specialist teaching staff are always present to offer personalised guidance, with thorough consultations conducted between students, parents, subject teachers, and the Deputy Head of Academic to determine their curriculum. Every Senior School student is assigned a tutor to look after their welfare, and they’re further supported by the Head of Key Stage and Houseparents in each boarding house. Being in the Cotswolds means that they’ll also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in rich cultures and communities after class and on weekends.

The freedom to explore, learn, and develop in opportunities beyond the classroom is just as important as the courses within. Across the Nursery, Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form, students participate in various activities that engage them with the real world. That way, they can discover their passions and steadily grow into well-rounded individuals, ready to tackle any challenge.

Nursery

Rendcomb College’s Nursery embraces children for what makes them children. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, the school uses play to nurture their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. At times, it's adult-led, while in others, it's child-initiated. Whether they’re running on the playground, playing sports, cooking, or dancing, students learn to communicate and collaborate with their peers and teachers.

Junior School

Entering Junior School means engaging with the National Curriculum to develop creativity. Each class holds no more than 16 students to ensure everyone receives proper attention, and after-school activities and specialist teachers in subjects like Music, French, and PE are introduced. Students begin conducting projects, with access to the Junior School’s purpose-built facilities, like the newly refurbished science laboratory, computing suite, and art and design technology studio, as well as the latest equipment.

Senior School

The Senior School is where students fully realise their independence. Beyond the classroom, there are more than 100 co-curricular activities to participate in, whether that’s a niche sport like mountain biking, martial arts, or canoeing, an art form like printmaking, or a cause like the eco-club. In Years 7, 8, and 9, students complete an Independent Learning project covering a research topic of interest. As they enrol in GCSE subjects, the curricula are always accompanied by an enrichment activity, from trips to the Cheltenham Literature Festival for English Literature students to the MedVet programme for those in Biology.

Sixth Form

Rendcomb College’s Sixth Form students continue to achieve outstanding results year after year, but it’s not only through grades that they are well-prepared to enter adult life. There’s a wide breadth of A-Level subjects to tailor their learning to their future goals, with more options available in the Slim Block for research. Programmes such as the Oxbridge Preparation Pathway and the Leadership Programme are specifically designed for Sixth Formers to develop skills for success after graduation.

The Cotswolds landscape is the largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rendcomb College’s 230 acres of parkland is also home to 75 fallow deer and a dedicated Forest School — the wilderness making for diverse exploration. The Forest School’s facilities are award-winning, open to Junior School students as they embark on mini beast hunts, using tools, building shelters, and more to foster a love for the natural environment, alongside their self-esteem and confidence.