Located in the heart of the campus, our characterful, historic ‘School House’ offers a true home for boarding students, where they have every opportunity to live, learn, work, socialise and thrive. Boarders form a vital part of the community at Woodbridge School, where everyone supports and learns from each other.

Full boarding for international students is available from Year 7 (age 11). We encourage students to start at the beginning of the academic year (September) but can consider applications at other points where space allows.

Explore boarding

Initial enquiry

When an agent has a candidate who is interested in Woodbridge School, we ask them to send the following information:

• Applicant’s name, date of birth and nationality (a copy of their passport is ideal).
• School reports for the last year (two years if possible)
• Year of entry and time of study at Woodbridge School (e.g. Year 9 through to Year 11, pre-GCSE and GCSE course)
• Background information on the student (e.g. interests, reasons for wishing to study abroad)

In considering new student applications, we are interested in much more than their accomplishments in academic subjects, arts or sports. We want to make certain that Woodbridge is the right learning environment for every individual who applies.

Following the receipt of the above information, and if the applicant is suitable for Woodbridge School, we will invite them to an online meeting with our Head, Shona Norman, and relevant staff. If the family wish to proceed we will ask them to formally register with us in order to sit our entrance exams.

Families are welcome to visit the School so they can meet the staff and see the facilities that are available. If a visit is not possible you can see our ‘Boarding at Woodbridge School’ video and virtual tour.

Make a boarding enquiry

Application and assessment

Applications should be completed online (please note that there is a non-refundable registration fee of £100 at this stage). Our online entrance assessments are CAT4 and Password English (if the candidate already has a suitable English qualification we will not require the English test).

For Year 12 entry we ask that candidates have a level of English which is equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (CEFR B2) and for entry into Years 9-11 an IELTs level of 5.5 (CEFR B1). Entrance exams can be sat at the agent’s office, a British Council office, the applicant’s current school or at Woodbridge School.

Places will be offered subject to the results from the entrance assessments, interview, school reports and space in Year Groups, subject classes and the boarding house. Normally applications would be for a minimum of one academic year but if there is space in our boarding house then we will consider an application for less than one academic year.

Register for boarding

Acceptance and joining

Parents are asked to pay a deposit at the time of acceptance (£1000 for EU based boarders and a term’s fee for non EU based boarders). The deposit is refundable against the student’s last fee account with the School as stated in the parent contract.

International payment form

Any offer of a place for overseas boarders is subject to the applicant having a UK based educational guardian in place for the duration of their stay with us. Students’ requiring a visa to study in the UK will be issued a CAS and referred to our immigration advisors who will assist with the visa application process (there is no additional fee for this service).

Prior to the start of term in September, students are asked to join us for a Welcome Week which provides an essential introduction to the School, Woodbridge town, and to the boarding routine. New students will be introduced to existing boarding students and to staff.