Shiplake College is an independent boarding and day school for just over 500 pupils aged 11 to 18. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and in September 2023 girls joined in Year 7 as the College goes fully co-educational. Flexi, weekly and full boarding is available from Year 9. Situated in 47 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside near Henley-on-Thames, we offer an outstanding education based on small class sizes, excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff.
A Shiplake College education is transformational. We are a selective school, but welcome a broad range of academic abilities. What is far more important is the sort of person you are. And what excites us is the sort of person you can become.
A broad curriculum offers opportunities for all, while outstanding facilities provide an abundance of co-curricular activities – Shiplake provides a truly holistic education. Above all, rigour lies at the heart of everything we do and our focus is on adding value to every single pupil. Our fuel is ambition and aspiration, and the commitment to always seek improvement. This is a school in which the little things matter and from which great things can be achieved. It’s cool to care and try hard.
The central pillars of Shiplake are its core values, the 3I’s, ‘Inclusive, individual, and inspirational’. This is our DNA and gives us direction, provides cohesion, and fosters a genuine sense of mission. We are a family and look after each other, the wellbeing of both pupils and staff is paramount. Every person matters.
Our setting is beautiful and uplifting. Who else can boast lunch in the Great Hall while watching our world class rowers train on the Thames. But it is the people who provide the magic and create Shiplake’s authentic and unique culture.
When you walk through our doors you will be greeted by warm smiles and exuberant waggy tails. Come and visit us and experience the magic for yourself.
Mr Tyrone Howe
Headmaster
In our ISI Inspection in May 2022 we achieved full compliance and the top category of EXCELLENT in both “the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements” and “the quality of the pupils’ personal development”. Click here to read more.
See the Headmaster's tour of the school below (filmed during lockdown in spring 2020).