Clifton College is an international school in Bristol, United Kingdom. Founded in 1910. It serves 1,267 students for students aged 3–19. Annual tuition ranges from $31,947 to $73,457 USD.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
Postcode
BS8 4DP
Setting
Urban
Nearest station
Butterfly Junction900 m away
Nearest town
Bristol1600 m
Prosperous, quiet residential neighborhood in Bristol, England's second-largest city outside London; close to city center and transport links.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 126 km | ~174 min | BHX — Midlands gateway |
| Heathrow | 150 km | ~205 min | LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai |
| Luton | 162 km | ~221 min | LTN — European and budget carriers |
NanaSays Scorecard
Est. 1910
Year Founded
1,267
Students Enrolled
Boarding Available
Scholarships Available
Bursaries Available
Key Details
Accreditations
BSA
Languages of Instruction
English
Scholarships Available
Types Available
✓Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with outstanding academic potential
✓Art Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with talent in the visual arts
✓Design Technology Scholarship — available at 11+ and 13+ entry; for pupils with passion for design and product development
✓Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for committed young actors
✓Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; requires proficiency in two disciplines (two instruments or one instrument and voice); includes two free music lessons per week
✓Performing Arts Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for performers in musical theatre and/or dance
✓Sport Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with exceptional team sports ability; includes Performance Sports Programme access
Bursaries (means-tested): Means-tested bursaries available to pupils who have obtained a scholarship; awards determined by family financial circumstances to ensure access for talented pupils from all backgrounds.
💡 Scholarship amounts and bursary likelihood analysis are in the Full Deep Report.
Merit-based Scholarships
Means-Tested Bursaries
Means-tested bursaries are available. Contact the school admissions office for details.
Academic Performance
Standards Met
ISI
Pastoral: Outstanding pastoral care
28% 9–7
GCSE Results
ISI Inspection Report
Clifton College meets all Independent School Standards across leadership, education quality, pupil wellbeing, and safeguarding. Pupils make good progress throughout the school with a wide-ranging, challenging curriculum and positive learning environment. Key recommendations include ensuring consistent application of new teaching policies across all subjects and addressing instances of unkind behavior among senior pupils.
ISI Standards
Met
Key Strengths
Wide-ranging and challenging curriculum
Pupils make good progress throughout the school
Helpful feedback from teachers based on secure knowledge of pupils' attainment and needs
Supportive and caring environment where pupils can grow in confidence
Positive relationships between pupils and staff supporting purposeful working atmosphere
Extensive and varied extra-curricular programme
Effective careers provision preparing pupils for their future lives
Positive and supportive boarding environment with well-maintained premises
Effective safeguarding measures with well-trained staff
Well-planned early years provision enabling children to make good progress
Areas for Development
Ensure more consistent pupil progress across subjects and year groups by making sure all teaching follows the school's teaching and learning policies
Implement effective strategies to address issues of pupil behaviour involving unkindness and the use of derogatory language
Key facts
Founded
1910
Ages
3–19 (Co-ed)
Pupils on roll
1,267
Fees
$ 14,355–$ 62,175 / year
Inspectorate
ISI
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Day | £4,785 | £14,355 |
| Reception Day | £5,370 | £16,110 |
| Year 1 Day | £5,660 | £16,980 |
| Year 2 Day | £6,225 | £18,675 |
| Year 3 Day | £6,600 | £19,800 |
| Years 4-6 Day | £7,135 | £21,405 |
| Years 7-8 Day | £9,350 | £28,050 |
| Years 4-8 Flexi-boarding (3 nights/week) | £8,930 | £26,790 |
| Years 7-8 Flexi-boarding (3 nights/week) | £11,270 | £33,810 |
| Years 4-8 Boarding (7 nights/week) | £13,305 | £39,915 |
| Years 7-8 Boarding (7 nights/week) | £15,770 | £47,310 |
| Years 9-11 Day | £12,950 | £38,850 |
| Years 9-11 Flexi-boarding (4 nights/week) | £17,795 | £53,385 |
| Years 9-11 Boarding (7 nights/week) | £19,835 | £59,505 |
| Sixth Form Day | £13,170 | £39,510 |
| Sixth Form Flexi-boarding (4 nights/week) | £18,555 | £55,665 |
| Sixth Form Boarding (7 nights/week) | £20,725 | £62,175 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (Pre-Prep/Prep) | One-time | £180 |
| Registration fee (Upper School) | One-time | £200 |
| Acceptance deposit | Per term | — |
| Occasional boarding | Per term | — |
| Art & Design Technology materials | Per term | — |
| Public exam fees | Per term | — |
| Learning Support | Per term | — |
| English as an Additional Language | Per term | — |
| Dry cleaning | Per term | — |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Scholarships & financial assistance
Merit-based scholarships (7 types)
Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with outstanding academic potential
Art Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with talent in the visual arts
Design Technology Scholarship — available at 11+ and 13+ entry; for pupils with passion for design and product development
Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for committed young actors
Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; requires proficiency in two disciplines (two instruments or one instrument and voice); includes two free music lessons per week
Performing Arts Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for performers in musical theatre and/or dance
Sport Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry; for pupils with exceptional team sports ability; includes Performance Sports Programme access
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
Means-tested bursaries — the school looks at your family income and can offer a much larger discount than any scholarship. Means-tested bursaries available to pupils who have obtained a scholarship; awards determined by family financial circumstances to ensure access for talented pupils from all backgrounds. Ask the Bursar directly — these are rarely advertised prominently.
About
Established in 1862, Clifton College welcomes boarders from across the UK and the world alongside day pupils from Bristol. The school offers modern facilities set among historic buildings with education from Preschool through Sixth Form where character development is as important as academic capability.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
What Makes This School Different
Redgrave Theatre
a purpose-built school theatre (first in the country, opened 1966) hosting major professional and student productions and community outreach
Redgrave Youth Theatre
new community programme for young performers training alongside working theatre professionals in a fully operational venue
House system
vertical structure mixing all years, with inter-house competitions including House Song (Michaelmas), House Play (Lent), Pens cross-country run, and House Dance
Performance Sports Programme
specialist coaching, strength and conditioning, and sports-specific development for talented athletes
Clifton Futures Programme
Sixth Form enrichment covering global issues, personal development, higher education access, and career exploration
Clubs & Activities
KarateCircus SkillsFriday Film ClubGymnasticsUkulele ClubModel MakingForest SchoolDrawing ClubLEGO ClubComics Club+16 more
Expeditions include: Educational trips to museums, castles, and beaches, Modern Languages cultural exchanges (implied, typical to France and Spain), Year 12 work placements (mandatory final week of summer term; optional weekly afternoon placements), Weekend House trips and activities (boarders), Career Insight visits and employer engagement events (Sixth Form)
Academic Results
GCSE Grade 9
21%
57% grade 7+
Oxbridge 2025
5
University Destinations 2025
ExeterDurhamManchesterUCLCardiffKing's College LondonPrincetonStanfordUC BerkeleyNYU
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Prep (Preschool–Year 2, ages 3–7) | Informal visit and taster day; no formal academic assessment | Year-round rolling admissions | Rolling – no fixed deadline |
| 11+ Entry (Year 7, age 11) | Online CAT4 assessment; scholarship assessments vary by discipline (Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Design Technology) | January 2026 (e.g. Academic 12 January AM, Drama/Music 12 January PM, Sport 16 January) | 8 December 2025 |
| 13+ Entry (Year 9, age 13) | Online CAT4 assessment; Design Technology scholarship assessment | January 2026 (TBC for 13+, likely similar to 11+ timeline) | 8 December 2025 (if pursuing scholarship) |
| Sixth Form (Year 12–13, age 16+) | Entrance papers in two of four A Level subjects + English Language; interview (mandatory) | Not explicitly stated | Not explicitly stated |
How to apply
- Register online via school admissions form (parent and child details)
- Submit application including school report; for scholarships include pupil testimonial; for international students provide passport and birth certificate
- Sit assessment (CAT4 or entrance exam per entry point)
- Attend taster day/school visit (invited candidates)
- Interview (Sixth Form mandatory; other entry points as required)
- Receive formal written offer letter from admissions team
- Accept place and pay registration fee (£200) plus acceptance deposit
What you'll need to submit
- Online registration form with parent and child details
- School report from current school
- For scholarship applicants: written testimonial from pupil explaining motivation
- For international applicants: passport and birth certificate copy
- For Sixth Form applicants: school references (noted as very important)
Open events
- Friday 1 May 2026 – Pre-Prep and Prep Open Event (Preschool–Year 6, ages 3–11)
- Friday 8 May 2026 – Prep and Upper Open Event (Year 6–9, ages 10–13) at Chellaram Sports Complex
- Friday 25 September 2026 – Autumn Pre-Prep and Prep Open Event (Preschool–Year 6, ages 3–11)
- Saturday 3 October 2026 – Autumn Prep and Upper School Open Event (Year 7–11, ages 11–16)
- Friday 2 October 2026 – Autumn Sixth Form Open Event (ages 16–18)
- Personal visits: year-round one-to-one tours available
- Video calls: available for overseas or distance applicants
- Little Explorers sessions: Pre-Prep weekly (Mondays 9:00–10:30, Fridays 9:30–11:00 term-time) plus special events
Scholarships: Scholarships at 11+ in Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Performing Arts, Sport; 13+ Design Technology. Means-tested bursaries available to scholarship holders; HM Forces bursary also offered.
Admissions contact: Prep School (ages 8–13): [email protected], +44 (0) 117 315 7160. Upper School (ages 13–18): [email protected], +44 (0) 117 315 7110.
Comprehensive admissions information found. 11+ and 13+ entry points clearly documented with assessment dates; Sixth Form dates marked TBC. International applicants follow parallel process with visa support via Fragomen LLP. Three separate schools (Pre-Prep, Prep, Upper) with separate contact teams.
Why Families Choose
- superb teaching
- character development
- academic choices
- sport coaching
- co-curricular activities
Fees & Financials
£12,435 – £19,280 per term (full boarding)
Original currency: £12,435 – £19,280 per term (full boarding).
Student Life
House System
House system with pastoral care focus
Houses
12 (in the Upper School)
Facilities & Programmes
Sports
Redgrave Theatre
Health Centre
Chapel
Multi-faith prayer room
Synagogue
Swimming pool (25m heated indoor)
Fitness room
Badminton courts
Tennis courts
Netball courts
Basketball courts
Cricket nets
Bouldering wall
Indoor hockey pitch
Playing fields
Outdoor sports grounds
Forest School
Library
Outdoor Activity Centre
Co-Curricular
Sport coaching
Clubs and activities
Student Demographics
School Type
co-ed
Age Range
3 – 19
Student Body
Boarding capacity388
School Background
Governance & Ownership
Independent
Religious Affiliation
Church of England
Sports Programme
90
teams across 20 sports
Signature Sports
Rugby UnionCricketHockeyTennisFootball
Teams by Sport
Cricket
67
teams
Tennis
49
teams
Hockey
44
teams
Hockey Sevens
42
teams
Football
28
teams
Netball
34
teams
Rugby Union
38
teams
Rugby Sevens
9
teams
Rackets
21
teams
Hockey Indoor
5
teams
Swimming
7
teams
Golf
3
teams
Basketball
6
teams
Cross Country
5
teams
Sailing
3
teams
Badminton
1
teams
Fencing
1
teams
Rugby Tens
1
teams
Indoor Cricket
2
teams
Touch
2
teams
Also Offered
AthleticsRowing
Recent Highlights
InternationalIssi represented England U19 in Euro qualifying matches2025
Notable Coaches
Reggie Williams
Head of Rackets
Coached Lea Van Der Zwalmen, Ladies Rackets World Champion
Danny Grewcock
High Performance Rugby Manager
Former England International Rugby player
Facilities
Chellaram Sports Complex (state-of-the-art indoor facility)90-acre sports ground at Abbots Leigh6 tennis courts25m indoor heated swimming poolCricket netsRackets courtReal tennis court2 astroturf hockey pitchesOlympic standard 4G hockey pitch3G football pitch
Director of Sport: Stuart Loughrey
Frequently Asked Questions
The annual fees at Clifton College are £12,435 – £19,280 per term (full boarding) per academic year.