Marlborough College

Focus

Ambition, initiative, community, service

Boarding fees 2024/25

$73,700 (incl. VAT)

Pupils

1,000

Ages

13–18

Spear’s Review

Marlborough College was founded in 1843, opening its doors to 199 boys, predominantly sons of clergy. Now co-educational and greatly expanded, the full-boarding school offers ‘an unrivalled education’, according to Dan Clark, deputy head.

Located across 286 acres in Wiltshire, the school’s period buildings include a Gothic Revival chapel, the neoclassical Memorial Hall, and the ‘Marlborough Mound’, a 4,000-year-old Neolithic mound. Marlborough is described as a diverse community, with well-being and mutual respect at its heart, and academic results are excellent: GCSE and A-Level subjects are complemented by a varied academic enrichment programme, including visiting speakers, competitions, events and trips.

The long list of famous alumni include poets such as John Betjeman; royalty, including the Princess of Wales; and a particularly strong showing of first-class cricketers.

Academics

69 per cent of (I)GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

61 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A.

University and college destinations

In 2024, 90 per cent of leavers earned a place at their first-choice university, and 80 per cent progressed to a Russell Group university. Exeter was the most popular destination in the UK (seven students were bound for Oxford or Cambridge), and students matriculated at Columbia, Notre Dame, Northeastern and the University of Virginia in the US.

Head teacher

Louise Moelwyn-Hughes was educated at Methodist College, Belfast, and read classics at Magdalene College, Cambridge University. Her first teaching post was at Marlborough College; she went on to become the senior deputy head of the Perse School, Cambridge, and then head of St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, before returning to Marlborough as master in 2018. 

Admissions

According to the school, the selection process assesses academic ability and potential as well as personal qualities and talents. Children who apply for a place at age 13 (Year 9) will be asked to sit the ISEB pre-tests in the Michaelmas term of Year 6 and come for an interview the following term. A reference from their current head teacher is also required. Offers will then be made in March. 

The assessment process and offers for Sixth Form entry happen in Year 11. For those applying for Sixth Form, candidates will be interviewed and asked to sit exams in English, verbal and non-verbal skills, and take two written exams in the subject areas they are considering for A-Level. A head teacher’s reference is also required, and offers will be made in early December.

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes

Location

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