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Our Schools
Lower School
7 - 13 years
In Lower School, we have the highest expectations of all our pupils. It is our aim to provide pupils with the best possible learning experiences, activities and opportunities to enable each pupil to flourish.
Middle School
13 - 16 years
Pupils joining Middle School will enjoy a stimulating environment with an even wider range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities. The emphasis is on developing academic skills and personal responsibility.
Sixth Form
16 - 18 years
The Sixth Form at Ellesmere is hugely successful and provides a platform for pupils to develop their leadership, communication and employability skills alongside their academic and co-curricular programmes.
Facts & Figures
An insight into our history
The foundation stone of Ellesmere College, formerly known as St. Oswald's School, was laid on St. Oswald's Day, August 5th, 1879, and the school was opened on the same date in 1884. The founder was Canon Nathaniel Woodard who began a chain of Woodard Foundation Schools. The land upon which the College is situated was provided by Lord Brownlow, whose wife laid the foundation stone.
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Sport Academies
7 Sports Academies
Ellesmere is proud to offer 7 distinct sport academy programmes at the College. The Academy programme is set-up to allow pupils to specialise in a particular sport across all 3 terms of the school year. Each of the academy sports provide a platform for pupils to develop their skills with high level coaching and competition.
HPL
World School
High Performance Learning
As 1 of only 39 High Performance Learning Schools in the world, we develop an evidence-based set of HPL skills and attitudes. From confidence, collaboration and risk-taking to agile thinking, concern for society and perseverance - we ensure our pupils are prepared for study, work and life.
40%
Student Boarders
Boarding Status
Pupils can be Day, Weekly or Full Boarders. Over 40% of our community are involved with Boarding and this figure increases as pupils seek greater independence when they reach the exam years of schooling. It is also testament to the great academic and pastoral support and the wider opportunities that are available to pupils day and night.
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Scholarship Awards
Awards and Scholarships
The College was built by passionate philanthropists and has a long tradition of recognising talent and supporting students for whom the full fees would prove a barrier to entry. A wide variety of scholarships, exhibitions and awards are available, plus means-tested bursaries can be offered to further supplement these awards.
160
acre campus
Our Campus
The College is set in the stunning Shropshire countryside in the beautiful market town of Ellesmere. The semi-rural campus is set on approximately 160 acres and pupils have access to many outside spaces and sporting facilities. This safe space creates a rich learning environment where all pupils engage with their surroundings.
30
Different nationalities
Our Community
Ellesmere is a school that values community. We are proud to have such a wonderful mix of UK students and a wide cohort of International students representing over 30 different nationalities, that make up our student body. The College recognises how important this balance is to ensure all pupils have the "best" experience at Ellesmere.
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Life-Ready Strands
Life Ready
At Ellesmere, our ethos is every student should be treated as an individual and this runs through everything we do. What defines and differentiates Ellesmere College is the success of our students at all levels and how we focus on education but with a broader perspective to prepare them for life after Ellesmere – to be truly 'Life:Ready'.
S4L
Dyslexia support
Support for Learning
Support for Leaning at Ellesmere is available on a temporary or permanent basis for those students who are experiencing difficulty with a particular area of the curriculum. Our aim is to create excellent provision for all students, and we have particular expertise in supporting pupils with dyslexia and related conditions such as dyspraxia and dyscalculia. The College is a CReSTeD category DU school.
Our voices
Anna
Science Student and Swimmer
“What drew me was the opportunity to combine my swimming and my academic programme."
Lewis
A Level Student and Music Scholar
“Ellesmere has given me the confidence to build my skills and chase my musical dreams.”
Jemimah
BTEC Student and Tennis
“The BTEC course and the Tennis Academy have developed my skills both on and off the tennis court."
Lily
A Level Student and Tennis
“The South Africa Conservation trip in Year 12 was incredible in opening up my careers routes.”
Sam
A Level Sciences and Sport
“The many co-curricular experiences I have enjoyed have all helped to develop my self confidence.”
Molly
Classics and Music Scholar
“From the moment I saw the music department, I was captivated by the facilities and passion of the teachers.”
Carmen
A Level Humanities and Music
“The transition from Middle School to Sixth Form is seemless, as everyone is so supportive and friendly.”
Tom
A Levels and Full Boarder
“I came for 1 year as an International Student and stayed for 4! The friendships I have made will last a lifetime.”
Tessa
A Level Sciences and Maths
“My loves of STEM subjects enabled me to study 4 A Levels and set up a Chemistry Club!”
Dylan
Pre-Sixth to A Level Student
“The tailored support for university applications was brilliant and made for a stress free process.”
Davit
IB Student
“The friendly environment makes Ellesmere a very welcoming place to all new international students.”
Tabitha
A Level Sciences and Music
“As soon as my family arrived and meet the staff and pupils, we knew this was the right school for me!”
Huw
Music and Drama Student
“The support of teachers and all school staff have made this a great platform for me over the last 11 years.”
Max
A Level Humanities and CCF
“My leadership skills have really developed through the CCF and the expeditions that are run across each year”.
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If you are considering what to study at Sixth Form, maybe it's time for you to look at an alternative to traditional A Levels - the International Baccalaureate Diploma.