Is Dean Close School a boarding school or a day school?

Dean Close School is a day school (independent). No residential boarding is offered.

Does Dean Close School require an entrance exam?

No entrance exam is required at Dean Close School. Admission is based on academic records and a school reference.

What ages does Dean Close School accept?

Dean Close School welcomes students aged 12 to 19.

How many students attend Dean Close School?

Dean Close School has approximately 499 students.

Does Dean Close School offer scholarships or financial assistance?

Means-tested bursaries are also available for families who demonstrate financial need.

Is Dean Close School accredited?

Dean Close School is accredited by BSA.

What languages are taught at Dean Close School?

Dean Close School offers instruction in English.

Is Dean Close School recommended for expat families?

Sport ["Strong boarding community","Vibrant creative arts","Impressive academic results","Great sporting achievements","Excellent pastoral care","Christian values"] Dean Close School is consistently recommended by international and expat families.

Dean Close School — International School in Cheltenham

Dean Close School is an international school in Cheltenham, United Kingdom. Founded in 1911. It serves 499 students for students aged 12–19. Annual tuition ranges from $29,610 to $44,851 USD.

Explore This School

Visit Website

Location & getting here

Postcode

GL51 6HE

Setting

Semi-rural

Nearest station

Cheltenham Spa500 m away

Nearest town

Cheltenham2.4 km

Historic spa town in the Cotswolds with strong independent school community, quieter character than southern commuter belts, ~2.5 hours from London, destination rather than commuter location.

Nearest airports

Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.

Airport	Distance	Drive from school	International note
Birmingham	67 km	~97 min	BHX — Midlands gateway
Luton	119 km	~165 min	LTN — European and budget carriers
Heathrow	123 km	~170 min	LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai

5 photos

NanaSays Scorecard

Est. 1911

Year Founded

499

Students Enrolled

Boarding Available

Bursaries Available

CCF Programme

Duke of Edinburgh

Key Details

Accreditations

BSA

Languages of Instruction

English

Scholarships Available

Types Available

✓Sports Scholarship — available for talented athletes with support from qualified coaches and strength and conditioning support

Bursaries (means-tested): Means-tested bursaries are available.

💡 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

ISI Inspection Report

All Independent School Standards are met across leadership, education quality, pupil wellbeing, social development, and safeguarding. The inspection found strong leadership with good pupil progress, particularly for SEND and EAL students, effective teaching, and well-managed boarding. The main recommendation is for staff to more effectively address disrespectful behavior from some pupils toward their peers.

ISI Standards

Met

Key Strengths

Leaders know pupils well and the consideration of the wellbeing of pupils informs their decision-making

Teachers' subject knowledge and detailed knowledge of individual pupils' needs enables them to adapt resources effectively

Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress

Pupils who speak English as an additional language make rapid progress and achieve well as a result of high quality, personalised support

The quality and variety of co-curricular provision allows pupils of all ages and aptitudes to participate

Boarding is well resourced and well managed

Boarders appreciate the support of house staff who create an environment in which boarders feel safe, known and cared for

Teachers provide pupils with detailed and constructive feedback

The embedded house system provides a sense of community and supports the growth of pupils' self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence

Areas for Development

Staff should address effectively the behaviour of some pupils who make disrespectful comments about their peers

View Full ISI Report (2024-02-06)

Key facts

Founded

1911

Ages

12–19 (Co-ed)

Pupils on roll

499

Inspectorate

ISI

About

Dean Close is a flourishing co-educational day and boarding school on the largest private land area in Cheltenham, with around 490 pupils. The school combines an intimate community where every student feels valued with a strong boarding program, vibrant creative arts, impressive academic results, and great sporting achievements. Pastoral care is central, delivered through house and tutor systems within a Christian community.

School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.

What Makes This School Different

Academic Results

Admissions

No admissions information found in crawled content

Why Families Choose

Strong boarding community
Vibrant creative arts
Impressive academic results
Great sporting achievements
Excellent pastoral care
Christian values

Fees & Financials

£7,772 – £11,772 per term

Original currency: £7,772 – £11,772 per term.

Student Life

House System

House and tutor systems

Student Demographics

School Type

co-ed

Age Range

12 – 19

Student Body

Boarding capacity240

School Background

Governance & Ownership

Independent

Religious Affiliation

Church of England/Evangelical

Sports Programme

teams across 13 sports

Signature Sports

HockeyTennisCricketRugbyNetball

Teams by Sport

Hockey

teams

Tennis

teams

Netball

teams

Rugby Union

teams

Cricket

teams

Hockey Indoor

teams

Rugby Sevens

teams

Swimming

teams

Football

teams

Equestrian

teams

Golf

teams

Basketball

teams

Tag Rugby

teams

Recent Highlights

NationalHockey: National Finalists every year since 20092025

NationalHockey Girls U18A: SOCS rank 10 (national level performance)2025

Notable Coaches

Mike Powell

Director of Cricket, Level 4 Coach

Professional player 18 years (Glamorgan CCC, Kent CCC); toured with England A team; selected for England one-day squad; 488 first-class games, 18,930 runs; Glamorgan CCC Academy coach; Wales Women Lead Batting Coach

Gary Tredgett

Director of Hockey

Old Decanian; played indoor hockey for England; taken School to over 50 national finals; coaching at Dean Close for extended period

Andrew Stanley

Director of Rugby, RFU Level 5 Coach

Joined 2014 from Gloucester RFC (1st XV forwards coach, Academy Manager); previously 7 years at Worcester Warriors as Regional Academy Manager; played nearly 200 first-team games for Gloucester RFC

Facilities

Two high-spec floodlit astroturf pitches (hockey)Over 20 tennis courtsSports centre with aerobics room/dance studioFitness suiteIndoor sports hall with new indoor hockey boards25m indoor poolIndoor rifle rangeClimbing wallCricket main square (near professional standard, protected all year round)Dedicated practice-only cricket square

Director of Sport: Ashley Bawden