At West Buckland School, we proudly stand among the leading independent schools in the UK, for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Our ethos distinguishes us, as we prioritise shaping the school experience around each child. With a commitment to exceptional teaching, we place the child at the heart of all we do. Our ultimate goal is to empower every individual to discover their unique excellence.

Start Your West Buckland Journey Today

A Welcome from Helen Lowe, Head

“The highest reward for your toil is not what you get for it but what you become by it.” John Ruskin

Welcome to West Buckland School

Tradition and Innovation Combined

Founded in 1858 for the children of local farmers, West Buckland School is an exciting and special place. It is rich in tradition, its links to its past so well guarded and celebrated through its Foundation and President, Lady Arran, yet it also boasts a future-driven agenda to ensure it remains wholly relevant and forward-thinking in the education and opportunities it provides. West Buckland is a school with a buoyant future.

The school is one of an increasingly small number of truly independent schools. We do not have to bow to private investors’ agendas and so can focus fully on what is best for our pupils without any external pressures. Though funding is, of course, key to schools, the idea that a school’s provision of scholarships and bursaries is in place just to increase numbers, rather than add value to the pupils involved, is not something which West Buckland, or I, could ever support. A school is not just getting the children through the doors – it must deliver for those pupils once they are there. Sitting at Speech Day in July, it was clear that the traditions of the school and the depth of feeling it engenders in all those who are part of it are evident for all to see. If you want a school where there is a heart and soul, West Buckland is the place.

We are no longer living in a world where the imparting of knowledge is what a school does; knowledge for our young people is everywhere at the click of a button. With continued technological innovation and the growth in AI, I believe that adaptive teaching, kindness, intellectual discussion and debating skills are more important than ever. We blend the underpinning motto of Read and Reap with our character values, innovation, sustainability, playing a meaningful part in the local community and of course excellent teaching and pastoral care.

This school has a staff body, governors, parents, a foundation, trustees and fantastic pupils who want to ensure that this happens.

I am proud to be leading West Buckland School, and I look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful campus, whether you are a current or a prospective parent, to find out more about us.

Please keep an eye out for upcoming events and opportunities to visit the school. Or contact the school to make an appointment to come in to meet me; I can promise that you will be made most welcome.

 

Helen Lowe, Head of School

Our remarkable campus

Described as β€œa gem of a school in an outstanding location” by the Good Schools Guide, West Buckland School, founded in 1858, is set on 100 acres of stunning countryside near the Atlantic coast. Recent investments of over £14 million have transformed our campus, blending traditional charm with modern facilities. This environment inspires students to excel academically, culturally, and athletically, revealing their unique excellence

Our facilities

Latest News

Follow West Buckland School on social media for our latest news and pupil achievements.

πŸŽ‰Languages Success Ahead of Schedule!Congratulations to our Year 10 and Year 12 students who achieved fantastic results after taking language qualifications a year early:Lukas N – GCSE German Grade 9
Cristina M-C – GCSE Spanish Grade 9
Franziskus J – GCSE French Grade 9
Ainhoa M-C – A Level Spanish Grade A
Sacha E – A Level Russian Grade A*We also celebrate a number of Year 10 students who successfully completed their GCSE Astronomy a year early, achieving excellent results.A brilliant achievement by all involved. We are incredibly proud of you!
🎭 School Production Auditions – Next Tuesday!This year's School Production is an exciting double bill featuring: βš”οΈ Macbeth (Years 7-10) πŸ’˜ Much Ado About Nothing (Years 10-13)Performed in the 150 Theatre from 2-4 December, Macbeth will also be heading to the Shakespeare Schools Festival at The Landmark Theatre in November.Whether you're an experienced performer or trying acting for the first time, we would love to see you at auditions. Download the Audition Pack now via:πŸ“± The School Portal πŸ’¬ The WBS Community Teams channelDon't miss your chance to be part of something unforgettable!Remember: "Performing Shakespeare is the gift that keeps on giving. You have to unlock it. You have to meet Shakespeare where he is. You can't bring Shakespeare down to your level. You have to come up to his level."
- Denzel Washington on playing Macbeth
✨ Welcome to a Brand New School Year! ✨A brand new school year is fast approaching, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome our students and staff back through our doors! πŸ“šHere's to fresh goals, plenty of enthusiasm, and a year full of new opportunities. We can't wait to see what this year will bring!
🌟 Join the West Buckland School Team!We are currently seeking talented and enthusiastic Visiting Music Teachers to join our thriving Music Department.We have vacancies for: 🎹 Piano 🎢 Clarinet 🎡 FluteSet within our beautiful North Devon campus, these opportunities offer the chance to inspire and nurture young musicians across a vibrant and supportive school community. If you are passionate about music education and helping students develop their talents, we would love to hear from you.πŸ“ West Buckland School, North Devon
πŸ”— westbuckland.com/about/vacancies/
At West Buckland School, we believe in encouraging every child to be curious, ambitious and confident enough to try something new.Join us at our Open Day on Saturday 19th September at 9.30am and discover a school where children are inspired to dream big, work hard and become the very best version of themselves.From Nursery to Sixth Form, you will have the opportunity to explore our beautiful campus, meet our pupils and staff, and learn more about our day, flexi boarding and full boarding options.πŸ“… Saturday 19th September
⏰ 9.30amπŸ‘‰ Register today: westbuckland.com/open-day or follow the link in bioBook your place today and see where confidence grows, friendships flourish, and futures begin.
From first steps to personal bests. 🌟 See how our Athletic Development Pathway nurtures ambition, develops performance and inspires a lifelong love of sport. #WBSSport #SportForAll #FutureAthletes #youvegottheedge
A summer of success worth celebrating! πŸŽ“βœ¨From GCSEs to A Levels, our students have given us so many reasons to be proud this summer. πŸ’™Our GCSE students have achieved our strongest outcomes in four years! Nearly one in three grades were awarded at the very highest levels of 9–8, while more than half of all grades were 9–7 πŸ‘Our Sixth Form students have enjoyed another exceptional year, with 37% of A Level grades at A*–A, 62% at A*–B.And there is plenty more to celebrate:
✨ 79% of students studying A Level Geography, Mathematics and Art achieved A*–B grades
✨ 86% of vocational grades in our Sixth Form, including Sport and Applied Science, were awarded Distinction*/Distinction - equivalent to A*/A
✨ 100% pass rate for both EPQ and IB qualifications
✨ The future is looking bright, with students progressing to leading universities including LSE, UCL, Durham, Manchester and Edinburgh, as well as securing exciting opportunities such as a highly competitive BBC Production Apprenticeship.Behind every grade is a story of hard work, ambition, resilience and determination. A huge congratulations to our wonderful Class of 2026! πŸŽ‰And this is just the beginning… 🌟Keep an eye on our social channels over the coming weeks as we continue to celebrate more of our students’ incredible achievements - including those who took their GCSEs a year early and have already achieved fantastic results! πŸŽ“πŸ‘There’s so much more success to share, so watch this space! πŸ‘€βœ¨Parents can watch Mrs Lowe’s full VLOG on MSP, where she shares her congratulations and celebrates the fantastic achievements of our students.#ClassOf2026 #GCSEResults #ALevelResults #ProudSchool #StudentSuccess #SixthForm #GCSEs #ALevels #CelebratingSuccess
From nervous anticipation to huge smiles… yesterday had it all! πŸŽ“πŸ₯³Our Year 11 students had the chance to come together, celebrate their achievements and enjoy a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.It was wonderful to see friendships, laughter and plenty of proud moments as our students marked the end of their GCSE journey.A huge well done to the Class of 2026. We hope you enjoyed every minute of your special day!Head over to our blog to find out more: westbuckland.com/gcse-results-2026/ or find the link in our bio.
Today is your day, Year 11! 🌟This is a moment to celebrate your hard work, perseverance and achievements. However today unfolds, take pride in everything you have accomplished to reach this milestone.As you move on to new opportunities, we hope you do so with confidence, ambition and excitement for the future.Well done, Year 11. We're proud of you all and can't wait to see what you do next πŸŽ‰
🌟 Join the West Buckland School Team!We are looking for a Cleaner / Porter to join our dedicated team.Set within our beautiful North Devon campus, this important role helps ensure our school remains a welcoming, safe and well-presented environment for students, staff and visitors every day.If you take pride in your work and enjoy being part of a supportive school community, we would love to hear from you.πŸ“ West Buckland School, North Devon
πŸ”— westbuckland.com/about/vacancies/
🌟 Behind every result is a story.From securing places at top universities to pursuing exciting new pathways, this year's Year 13 students have given us so much to celebrate.Listen to Deputy Head - Operations and Head of Sixth Form, Mrs Hamilton, reflect on a fantastic Results Day and the many achievements that made it so special.#WestBucklandSchool #SixthFormSuccess #StudentAchievement #ResultsDay
Best of luck to all our Sixth Form students receiving their results today πŸ€Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of an exciting new one. Whether you're celebrating a long-awaited achievement, preparing for your next adventure, or exploring the opportunities ahead, be proud of everything you have accomplished to reach this point. Your results are just one part of your story, and your hard work, determination and potential will continue to take you far.Be proud of your efforts, believe in your abilities, and look forward with confidence to the opportunities ahead.We're incredibly proud of every one of you and wish you all the very best for your next steps ✨
πŸŽ‰ Huge congratulations to alumnus James Tyson!James recently received his first senior international cap for the Wales Men's Hockey Team - Hoci Cymru - and has been selected for the World Cup squad. We are incredibly proud of this fantastic achievement and wish James and the team the very best of luck. πŸ‘
πŸŽ­πŸ‰πŸŽ¨πŸ”¬Experience the energy, ambition and sense of community that make West Buckland School unique at our upcoming Open Day on Saturday 19 September, 9.30am.From exceptional academics and outstanding pastoral care to sport, creative arts and outdoor learning, discover how we help young people thrive from ages 3-18.Book your place today and start your West Buckland journey.πŸ‘‰ westbuckland.com/open-day
πŸŽͺ We're all set for the North Devon Show on Wednesday!Come and find us at Trade Block 1, Row A, Stand 1 to say hello, meet the team, and take part in some fun activities. We're looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and meeting new ones too.See you there! πŸ‘‹
✨ What a year the 2025–26 academic year has been! ✨From unforgettable performances, competitions, awards, educational visits, enrichment activities, fundraising, leadership opportunities, community projects, and countless moments of creativity, resilience and achievement. There is simply too much to fit into one post.But beyond the awards and successes, what made this year truly special was the journey we shared. We grew together, laughed together, supported one another, and took many first steps together.We want to thank every student and member of staff for making this year one to remember. We couldn’t be prouder of everything you’ve achieved, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.Here’s to the memories, the friendships, and the bright futures ahead in the next academic year!πŸ’™ #ProudToBeWBS #WestBucklandSchool
🌟 Good luck, Matt! 🌟Matt, a valued member of the wider West Buckland School community, is taking on an extraordinary challenge in aid of three cancer charities: @cr_uk, @theurologyfoundation and @braintumoursupport.Matt is running 500 miles around the entire Devon and Cornwall South West Coast Path – an epic journey involving a total ascent of more than three times the height of Mount Everest!This remarkable challenge is in memory of two much-loved colleagues who were both tragically lost to cancer after courageous battles, leaving behind young families. Matt has already raised an incredible £50,000+ for these important causes.We wish Matt every success as he embarks on this inspiring feat of endurance, determination and fundraising.If you would like to support Matt or read more about his story, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/matt-field#WestBucklandSchool #Community #Fundraising #CancerResearch #SWCoastPath
β›΅ Congratulations to James!Year 8 James C has successfully completed an RYA course and assessment, qualifying as an Assistant Sailing Instructor.This summer, he is looking forward to working at North Devon Yacht Club, where he will help teach both adults and children how to sail.What a fantastic achievement and an exciting opportunity. We wish James every success as he shares his passion for sailing and inspires the next generation of sailors! πŸ‘
#ThrowbackThursdayThis week, we’re not looking back very far at all: just to the final day of term and our wonderful Speech Day, where we celebrated the fantastic achievements of our students.We were delighted to welcome our West Buckland School Archivist, Mr Berwick Coates, as our Guest of Honour. He delivered a thoughtful and inspiring speech, and the clip above shares just a small glimpse of his reflections.Missed Speech Day or would like to watch it again? Head over to MSP to rewatch the full event and celebrate the moments that made the day so special.#SpeechDay #WestBucklandSchool #WBSMiddle #WBSSixthForm #SchoolCommunity
πŸ‘ Percy Represents the South West in National Hockey ShowcaseCongratulations to Percy F, who was selected to represent the South West as part of the West Panthers Regional Championship Team.Recently, Percy travelled to Nottingham to compete in the U13 Regional Hockey Festival, where the team enjoyed an outstanding tournament, losing just two matches throughout the competition.Representing the South West at a regional festival is a fantastic achievement, and the event provided a great opportunity to compete against some of the country's top young hockey players while gaining valuable experience.Well done, Percy - a brilliant achievement and an experience to be proud of! πŸ‘
🏏 Celebrating an Outstanding Achievement for Issie O! 🌟In a recent Devon Under-18 Girls Cricket match, Issie produced a sensational display of spin bowling. After Somerset had made a steady start and looked well placed, she showcased excellent control and variation, claiming a superb five-wicket haul against a strong batting line-up.Her landmark fifth wicket was a fitting reward for an exceptional performance, completing a memorable five-for and cementing her place as one of the standout performers of the competition. While the game didn't go their way overall, there was still much to be proud of.πŸ‘ A fantastic individual achievement and a spell to be proud of. Congratulations, Issie!
β˜€οΈπŸŽ‰ That’s a wrap on another fantastic year at West Buckland! πŸŽ‰β˜€οΈFrom classrooms to playing fields, performances to adventures, thank you to our pupils, parents, staff and wider community for making it so special. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer filled with fun, relaxation and new memories.We can't wait to welcome you back in September! πŸ’™#WestBucklandSchool #SummerHolidays #SeeYouInSeptember #SchoolCommunity
πŸŽ‰ What a fantastic first year for our KS3 Research Projects!For the first time, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 completed independent research projects on:πŸ“š Year 7 - Black History
πŸƒ Year 8 - Sustainability
πŸ€– Year 9 - Artificial IntelligenceThe results were exceptional, with 127 projects completed, including 84 Merits and 16 Distinctions, showcasing the hard work, curiosity and dedication of our students.We are incredibly proud of all involved and look forward to seeing these research skills continue to flourish in the years ahead.
πŸ§ͺ Cambridge Chemistry Challenge Success!Congratulations to our Year 12 Chemistry students who recently took part in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.We are delighted that three students achieved award success:
πŸ₯ˆ Carys D – Silver Award
πŸ₯ˆ Milo S – Silver Award
πŸ₯‡ Ethan W – Gold AwardThese impressive results reflect their hard work, dedication and excellent problem-solving skills in Chemistry. Well done to all three students on this outstanding achievement!

A thriving coeducational independent day and boarding school in Devon for boys and girls aged 3-18, located on a beautiful rural campus between Barnstaple and Exmoor.

HOW TO FIND US:

West Buckland School,
Barnstaple, Devon,
EX32 0SX.

ADJACENT TO:

Atlantic coastline and
Exmoor National Park

NEAREST TOWN:

Barnstaple: 15 minutes