Cottesmore School

Focus 

Upholding a strong academic tradition

Day fees 2025/26

$19,400-$36,300 

Boarding fees 2025/26

$53,100 

Term dates

• Term 1: 3 September to 10 December 2025
• Term 2: 7 January to 25 March 2026
• Term 3: 22 April to 1 July 2026

Ages

4-13

Pupil count

188

Spear’s Review

Describing itself as ‘a close, caring and very busy community’, Cottesmore School offers ‘traditional values in a modern world’ and has always been a family school: current head Tom Rogerson is the third member of his family to take the role. 

Located in the heart of the Sussex countryside, the school’s main building was purpose-built as a boarding school in 1896; it became fully coeducational in 1974, making it one of the first in the country to do so.

Academic results are excellent, and students are encouraged to find the confidence to excel in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. Cottesmore has an extensive sports offering, with pupils competing at the local, county and national level, as well as a strong tradition of supporting music, drama and the arts.

Head teacher

Tom Rogerson, who was educated at Eton and Cambridge, has been working in the independent school sector for more than 30 years. He became headmaster of Cottesmore School in 2008. 

Senior school destinations 

Popular leavers’ destinations include Eton, Winchester, Benenden, Radley, Harrow and Downe House.

Admissions

According to the school, prospective students will be asked to submit a registration form; a maths and English test may be given depending on the depth of information given by the child’s current school; and applicants will attend an interview with the registrar and headmaster.

Notable alumni

• Gordon Chater (actor)
• Robin Niblett (director of Chatham House)

Accessibility 

Gatwick Airport: 15 minutes

Location

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