Clifton College
Bristol · BS8 3EZ
AAB+ A-level
30.3%
9–7 GCSE
50.8%
Day fees
£39k
Inspection
Not yet inspected
Clifton College is one of England's most distinguished Victorian boarding schools, set on a handsome campus of Gothic and neo-classical buildings in the affluent Clifton village area of Bristol. Founded in 1862, it offers a genuinely all-through education from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form, combining traditional values with a modern, outward-looking ethos captured in its phrase 'Aim high, stay grounded'. The school has a strong international dimension, welcoming pupils from across the world alongside a substantial local day community, giving it a cosmopolitan character unusual among HMC schools of its size.
- →Seamless all-through education from age 3 to 18 on a single, beautiful urban campus with strong vertical community bonds
- →Excellent balance of academic rigour with breadth — competitive sport, CCF, performing arts and outdoor education all carry real weight
- →Strong boarding provision with genuine house community life, combined with accessibility as a day school for Bristol families
- →International atmosphere and well-developed support for overseas pupils gives the school a cosmopolitan, confident feel
Who thrives here
Pupils who are ambitious but well-rounded, comfortable in a busy, community-oriented environment where sport, arts and service sit alongside serious academic work. It particularly suits those who want the benefits of a large co-educational boarding school without being far from a major city.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Guthrie Road, Clifton
Bristol
BS8 3EZ
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
John Cleese
Actor and comedian, Monty Python co-founder
Roger Federer
Tennis player (attended briefly as exchange student)
Simon Russell Beale
Award-winning stage and screen actor
Field Marshal Douglas Haig
Commander-in-Chief of British forces in World War One
Arthur Quiller-Couch
Author and literary critic
Trevor Howard
Film actor, Brief Encounter
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Clifton College?
Day fees at Clifton College are approximately £38,850 per year (2026/27). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Clifton College?
Clifton College admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Clifton College's exam results?
At Clifton College, 30.3% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 50.8% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Clifton College a boarding school?
Clifton College offers boarding as well as day places.
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Warm, family-feel community despite the school's size — pastoral care described as attentive and genuine
✓Outstanding range of co-curricular opportunities, particularly sport, music and drama, with real depth not just breadth
✓The Close cricket ground and historic campus create a strong sense of pride and belonging
✓Good communication from houseparents for boarding families; children said to settle quickly
Common concerns
!Academic results, while solid, are seen by some parents as not consistently matching the top tier of HMC schools
!The size and busyness of school life can mean quieter or less self-directed pupils occasionally feel lost
!Day-boarding integration can feel uneven — some day pupils report missing out on the full social life centred on boarding houses