Whitgift School is a IB school in South Croydon, United Kingdom. Founded in 1912. It serves 1,517 students for students aged 10–18. Annual tuition ranges from $38,405 to $75,324 USD.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
South London suburban area with well-established residential neighbourhoods and convenient rail links to central London; popular with families and London commuters seeking suburban accessibility.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| London City | 19 km | ~35 min | — |
| Gatwick | 24 km | ~41 min | LGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR |
| Heathrow | 27 km | ~45 min | LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Whitgift offers generous scholarships and bursaries.
His legacy allows the School to provide facilities and a range of bursaries and scholarships.
Academic Performance
ISI Inspection Report
Whitgift School meets all relevant Independent School Standards. Leaders work effectively to foster a culture of excellence and achievement, with particularly strong boarding provision that maintains a welcoming atmosphere and encourages pupil independence. The school's co-curricular programme is identified as a significant strength, providing an exceptional range of clubs and societies that enable pupils to develop leadership skills and confidence.
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Day students | £10,470 | £31,410 |
| Weekly boarding | £17,322 | £51,966 |
| Full boarding | £20,538 | £61,614 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch (Lower First/First Form) | Per term | — |
| Uniform | Per year | £450 |
| Laptop fee | Per year | £354 |
| Personal Accident Insurance | Per year | £10.08 |
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.
Merit-based scholarships (6 types)
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.
About
Whitgift School is a private, day school for male students in South Croydon, United Kingdom. Authorized as an IB World School since April 2004, the school offers English-language instruction with a curriculum including mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities subjects.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
What Makes This School Different
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13+/14+ (Year 9/10) | Entrance Examinations (specific papers not detailed in crawled content) | — | October 6, 2025 |
How to apply
- Complete online application form
- Pay entrance exam fee (£190–£350 depending on location/timing)
- Sit Entrance Examinations
- Receive offer notification
- Pay acceptance deposit to secure place
What you'll need to submit
- Online application form
- Entrance exam fee payment
- Scholarship form (if applying for non-academic scholarships)
Scholarships: Academic scholarships automatic for all entrance exam candidates; non-academic scholarships (Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music, Sport) available on separate application. Scholarships reduce fees up to 50%. Bursaries (means-tested, up to £85k annual income threshold) also available and distinct from scholarships.
Admissions contact: [email protected] / +442086889222
Crawled content focuses on fees and scholarship/bursary details but lacks comprehensive admissions process documentation. Entry points at other ages (7+, 11+) likely exist given school serves ages 10–18, but not mentioned in provided content. Assessment format and dates not specified.
Why Families Choose
Outstanding sporting achievement with 100+ national titles; internationally touring orchestras and choirs with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra links; bilingual French section; exchanges with 25+ countries; 100+ co-curricular clubs; modern boarding house with ensuite rooms.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Day (excl. VAT) | GBP 25,200~$ 31,899 |
| Day (incl. VAT) | GBP 30,240~$ 38,278 |
| Full Boarding (excl. VAT) | GBP 49,425~$ 62,563 |
| Full Boarding (incl. VAT) | GBP 59,310~$ 75,076 |
| Weekly Boarding (excl. VAT) | GBP 41,685~$ 52,766 |
| Weekly Boarding (incl. VAT) | GBP 50,022~$ 63,319 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: £30,240 - 59,310. Application fee: $241.
Admissions Process
- 1Submit online application for 13+/14+ entry by October 6, 2025; include passport copy, school reports, and any scholarship/SEND documents. Pay entrance exam fee on receipt of invoice. 2) Register bursary interest by November 21, 2025 if applicable. 3) Entrance examinations (English, Maths, Science) on November 8, 2025 (overseas boarders: November 1–7). 4) Senior Staff interviews held November 19–26, 2025. 5) Decisions emailed December 5, 2025. 6) Acceptance deadline February 23, 2026 (overseas boarders: December 11, 2025). 8) Visa support available for international full boarding students.
Admissions Details
School Day
Sixth Form Day: 08:25 Ding Dong; 08:30 Registration; 08:35 Assembly/Form; 08:55 Period 1; 09:40 Period 2; 10:25–10:40 Break; 10:45 Period 3; 11:30 Period 4; 12:15 Period 5; 13:00–14:00 Lunch; 14:00 Ding Dong; 14:05 Registration; 14:15 Period 6; 15:00 Period 7; 15:45 Final Bell.
Student Life
Founder's House is the boarding house opened in 2013, housing over 100 boarders in rooms of two or three with ensuite bathrooms, a common room, and reception. Boarders are grouped into multi-year vertical Families led by tutors to promote mentorship and leadership across Years 9–13.
Uniform is compulsory across all stages and includes a blazer, four shirts, tie, games shirt and shorts, PE top and shorts, mid layer, track pants, swimming jammers, and charcoal formal trousers. Jumper and coat are optional if approved. Rules require neat hair, clean shoes, and shirts tucked in.
Junior Years lunch is compulsory with a hot main, vegetarian or Halal option, jacket potato or pasta with salad and bread at a fixed price of £5.25. The canteen accommodates dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, and allergen-specific options. Boarding fees include all meals.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Whitgift uses a whole-school approach to mental health via the Ideatum (PSHEE) programme, staff training including Youth Mental Health First Aid, and on-site counselling through the Medical Centre. A designated Mental Health Lead, school counsellors, and pastoral teams provide support, with clear routes to external services such as CAMHS. CPOMS is used to track concerns.
Whitgift follows statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024). A Director of Safeguarding and DSL leads the programme. CPOMS records safeguarding and welfare concerns. Policy is integrated with anti-bullying, online safety, and counselling policies.
Student Demographics
School Background
private
More than 100 national sports titles in the past five years
Sports Programme
Whitgift School is a major UK independent school with sector-leading facilities, 40+ sports offered, and significant investment in both facilities (hybrid pitches opened, astroturf hockey pitch) and coaching infrastructure.