Blundell's School
Tiverton, Devon · EX16 4DN
Blundell's is a co-educational independent school set on a spacious rural campus in Tiverton, Devon, offering education from age 3 to 18 with boarding from age 11. Founded in 1604, it carries a long tradition of West Country independence, combining a warm, unpretentious community feel with genuine breadth of opportunity. The school's 'Intelligent Education' philosophy prioritises developing adaptable, purposeful learners rather than exam-result maximisers, and its ethos prizes relationships, character, and engagement alongside academic achievement. With around 634 pupils in the senior school, Blundell's strikes a balance between being large enough to offer extensive co-curricular provision and small enough for pupils to be genuinely known as individuals.
- →Strong boarding community with a genuinely family-like atmosphere, particularly valued by families in rural Devon and the South West
- →Broad co-curricular programme including CCF, DofE, sport, music and drama on a well-resourced rural campus
- →Explicit character-education philosophy ('Intelligent Education') that goes beyond exam results to develop resilience, purpose and good relationships
- →Accessible fees and bursary provision relative to comparable full-boarding schools, making it a realistic option for Devon families
Who thrives here
Pupils who want to be actively engaged across academic, sporting, and creative life without the high-pressure intensity of highly selective London or Home Counties schools will thrive here. It suits confident, sociable young people — including those from agricultural or rural backgrounds — who want a real boarding community but do not want to feel like a number.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Blundell's Road
Tiverton, Devon
EX16 4DN
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
R. D. Blackmore
Victorian novelist, author of Lorna Doone
Geoffrey Grigson
Poet, critic and naturalist
Nathaniel Bishop Harman
Prominent ophthalmologist and medical reformer
Jack Russell
Devon clergyman and dog-breed originator, gave name to the Jack Russell terrier
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Blundell's School?
Day fees at Blundell's School are approximately £24,225 per year (2024/25). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Blundell's School?
Blundell's School admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Blundell's School's exam results?
At Blundell's School, 17.4% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 48.1% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Blundell's School a boarding school?
Blundell's School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Blundell's School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Blundell's School “Excellent” (2019).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Warm, genuine community where staff know every pupil by name and pastoral care is consistently strong
✓Excellent range of sport, music and outdoor activities giving pupils real breadth beyond academics
✓Boarding experience described as 'family-like' with good house staff relationships
✓School feels unpretentious and grounded compared to more pressurised independent schools
Common concerns
!Academic results and university destinations not always competitive with the most selective independents, which can be a concern for highly ambitious families
!Tiverton location is relatively remote, which some families find limiting for weekend activities and travel
!Transition into the school can take time for pupils joining at 13+ from very different environments