Benenden

Focus

Inspiring leaders

Day fees 2024/25  

$50,200 (incl. VAT)

Boarding fees 2024/25 

$70,000 (incl. VAT)

Pupils

560 

Ages

11–18

Spear’s Review

Benenden aims to guide its pupils into becoming ambitious, confident and caring young women. Academic results are outstanding, supporting the school’s approach of creating a less pressured atmosphere than traditional London day schools.

Their strategy sets out five pillars of child development with an emphasis on responsibility, creativity and innovation. Boarding is full-time, with long breaks at home to encourage independence with an underpinning of security.

Since the school’s founding in 1923, more than 5,000 girls have been educated under the Benenden philosophy: to become ‘a responsible and considerate citizen’ who plays an active part in society. 

Academics

84 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9.

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

School Profile 

Through its philosophy of ‘A Complete Education’, Benenden School has been inspiring future thinkers and leaders to shape a better world for more than 100 years. 

Benenden is one of the leading boarding schools in Britain. Founded in 1923, it is situated in 250 acres of attractive parkland in Kent, just an hour from London. There are 560 girls in the School, aged 11-18. 

While instilling within students the values to which the School holds firm – confidence, compassion, courtesy and courage – Benenden prepares them to be professional young women in whatever field of work they choose to pursue in later life. Above all, Benenden is a home where students benefit from outstanding facilities and extensive grounds for them to enjoy, together with the intimacy and care that come from being a community of no more than 560. 

Motivational teaching through a dynamic and challenging curriculum is central to Benenden’s educational offering. All students are expected to engage in the extensive subjects on offer. They can expect to leave not only with excellent results at A-Level, but very importantly with an understanding of the world in which we live, skills in critical thinking, practical skills such as financial management, a flavour of the world of entrepreneurship and business as well as the knowledge of professional skills which will support them in the world of work beyond university. 

Furthermore, Benenden prides itself on its extensive and imaginative co-curricular programme which offers every opportunity for students to learn, develop interests, excel in areas beyond the classroom and very importantly, have a great deal of fun! 

With a flexible boarding provision encompassing full and weekly boarding, and welcoming day students into its Boarding House community, Benenden ensures that all students benefit from the round-the-clock care an exceptional boarding school offers.

Feeder schools

Students come from schools including Saint Ronan’s, Dulwich Cranbrook and Thomas’s London day schools.

University and college destinations

In 2024, 7 per cent of leavers gained places at Oxford and Cambridge.

Head teacher

Rachel Bailey was educated at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and the University of York, where she read economics. Having graduated, she joined John Hampden Grammar School in Buckinghamshire and served a successful 20-year tenure. Her next post was as deputy head and then head of senior school at The Royal Masonic School for Girls. Bailey joined Benenden as head in August 2024. 

Admissions

According to the school, Benenden greatly values its relationship with parents, from parents’ first exploratory contact with the school, throughout their daughter’s school career and often beyond. A personal visit, where parents speak with members of staff and with students, helps parents to appreciate the school’s unique character. Prospective pupils and parents are encouraged to visit Benenden as soon as they feel ready to begin looking at senior schools and as many times as they like during the admissions process.

Normal entry is in September at 11+, 12+ or 13+, as a result of the ISEB Common Pre-Tests or through Benenden’s own entrance or scholarship examinations. In addition, there is also a small 14+ and 16+ competitive entry into Year 10 and the Sixth Form. Benenden enjoys a thriving programme for scholars including academic awards and scholarships for accomplished musicians, artists, actresses, designers and sportswomen.

Accessibility

Gatwick Airport: 1 hour  

Location

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