Search

Experience the environment at Westonbirt School

“The wow factor starts to build as soon as you turn in through the narrow gate and make stately progress along the long one-track drive.” Good Schools Guide

It’s well-known that Westonbirt School is set in a breath-taking mansion and stunning surrounds; but the environment incorporates so much more.  Spending time at Westonbirt promotes opportunity in experiencing the physical, emotional, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of personal growth, which makes learning, living or working here such a unique experience.

Read on and discover why the school’s environment forms such a compelling part of its appeal for students and their families.

Grounds and Heritage

Our community is incredibly lucky to have access to 210 beautiful acres of parkland. This is a huge space which accommodates our growing sports provision and large sports fixtures, as well as a nine-hole golf course for lessons and public play.  It also allows us to run activities such as field craft, navigation and mapwork for our popular Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The physical environment also allows a focus on outdoor learning, especially in our Prep School.  At Westonbirt, increased exposure to nature and the outdoors encourages healthy lifestyles, aids student health and wellbeing, and allows the preservation of childhood – our children to remain children for longer.

It is a privilege to work, live and learn in the Victorian mansion in which the Main School is housed. The school works closely with The Holfords of Westonbirt Trust (HOWT) to enable the long-term conservation of the house and gardens and to make them accessible to a wider audience.

Find out more about our sports programme here
Discover more about our CCF
Find out more about HOWT

Nature and Conservation

As well as the conservation programme already undertaken with HOWT, many nature-based and green activities are on offer.  Our extensive co-curricular and enrichment programme includes a bee-keeping club (we have our own hives), astronomy and wildlife clubs.    Outdoor learning sessions include pond-dipping, seasonal explorations, orienteering, bird watching and vegetable planting. Forest School at the Prep School encourages hands on investigations, den building and the bikeability training has quite the magnificent back drop.

Trees are vitally important within the estate; the curator of this in the early 1800s being Robert Holford and it is his collection which formed the original source of the Westonbirt National Arboretum.  Our recently launched Heritage Tree Planting Project embraces his vision, and with a revitalised sustainability approach, we hope now to restore the landscape to its former glory for future students to enjoy. Conservation and ecology activity extends to the protection of our three species of newts, as well as the more unusual species of bat that reside in our eaves and our extensive cellars.

Discover more about outdoor learning.

Social and Community Environment

There is a wonderful social environment at Westonbirt, for students, staff, parents and the general public. The presence of our boarding community means that there is always something going on. School events include dinners for students such as the Leavers’ Ball and Christmas Last Suppers; music concerts, dance and drama productions bring the pupils’ creativity to life and the annual fireworks, and Picnic in the Park on the last day of the summer term show our community at its best. Public events include the Westonbirt Flower Show, which the school’s sixth form students organise for the local area around Tetbury; the regular Westonbirt Lecture Series, with post-lecture suppers; a winter ball and HOWT Garden Tours.

The school is also a commercial venue and filming location; weddings, holiday camps, and external events such as antiques fairs, duathlons, corporate and individual parties bring a number of visitors through our landscape, and all appreciate the environment the school enjoys on a daily basis.

The Westonbirt community and social activity extends far beyond this corner of the Cotswolds; our alumni association comprises members from across the globe, with reunion activities taking place at school, in London and overseas. The school also runs a large and popular international Summer School, which plays host to over 400 overseas students each summer. Westonbirt pupils also participate in and support this, forging links and friendships which last a lifetime.

Find out more about weddings and events.

Our Ethos

One of the most important aspects of the Westonbirt environment is the impact that the intangible has on the individual. Here, our approach is ‘Greenhouse not hothouse’ and our focus is on encouraging each child to fulfil their potential; nurturing and celebrating their success in any field. The encouragement of showing kindness, support and respect to others; the promotion of a diverse and inclusive community; the importance of giving back, through volunteering, fundraising and global service trips; as well as opportunities to develop leadership, all play their part in creating a wonderful environment which benefits everyone.

Feedback from parents, students and stakeholders all supports this:

Tatler Schools’ Guide 2023: “This ‘well-grounded’ seat of learning which is ‘fizzing with energy,’ works hard to instil good character in its charges – with an emphasis on kindness, thoughtfulness and commitment – and it turns out enthusiastic young adults.” 

Year 13 leaver: “I have had the most amazing experience and opportunities that have allowed me to truly develop and I am extremely grateful that I came here. There is such a great community and the staff are just incredible.”

Parent: “This is a place where students are properly known…The attention is personalised and each student is treated as an individual. I genuinely think that my children will have a better chance of withstanding the ups and downs of life, armed with the values, skills, courage and kindness, instilled in them by Westonbirt. It really is a special place.”

Interested in finding out more?

We’d always recommend a visit to Westonbirt in order to experience our wonderful environment for yourself and find out what makes our school so special.

Why not visit one of our upcoming Open Mornings? We’d love to welcome you in person.

Book a place at our Open Morning.
Book an individual visit.