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.
A Welcome from Kate Corbin, Acting Head
“The highest reward for your toil is not what you get for it but what you become by it.” John Ruskin
Welcome from Kate Corbin, Acting Head of School
Celebrating our rich history while embracing the future is at the heart of my vision for our school.
Our school is a place where innovation and enterprise thrive, empowering our pupils to make their mark in whatever field they choose to excel in. As a proud former pupil, I reflect on the years I spent at West Buckland, making lifelong friends, building essential skills for my future, and exploring a wide range of academic, sporting, and co-curricular opportunities.
We are leaders in school sustainability and work diligently to minimize our impact on our beautiful campus and the wider North Devon area. Our location offers safety, abundant opportunities, and endless inspiration, all of which are crucial in shaping the young people we are privileged to work with.
Words and pictures can only convey so much, so I warmly invite you to visit us and experience first hand our kind, innovative, and vibrant community.
Visit Us
You are warmly invited to visit West Buckland School and meet the inspiring individuals who are shaping the future. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Kate Corbin, Acting Head of School
Laura’s Testimonial: A Term at West Buckland School
Laura, a student from Spain, spent a term at West Buckland School and described it as life-changing. She formed lasting friendships, gained independence and enjoyed exciting weekend activities like surfing and quad biking. Find out what made her experience so unforgettable!
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CCF Mess Dinner
West Buckland CCF proudly hosted its first Mess Dinner in nearly three years, bringing together cadets, parents and special guests for a memorable evening. With inspiring speeches, promotions and awards, the event celebrated the dedication, achievements and teamwork of our cadets in style.
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South West Computational Thinking Cup
On 22nd November, over 100 students from across the South West gathered at Millfield to flex their problem-solving muscles in the South West Computational Thinking Cup. West Buckland School proudly entered six teams showcasing teamwork, determination and creativity in tackling a range of challenging puzzles.
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Boarding Activities
This term has been an exciting whirlwind of activities for our boarders at West Buckland School. From adventurous outdoor pursuits to cosy evenings of creativity and connection, our students have embraced every opportunity to bond, grow and make lasting memories. Here’s a snapshot of the incredible experiences that have defined this term for our boarding community.
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Strengthening Educational and Business Ties
As the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the U.K. approaches, and following the recent encouragement from Thai Commerce Minister Khun Pichai Naripthaphan for U.K. businesses to invest in Thailand, it was both an honour and privilege for Rob Paler, Director of Education and Global Partnerships at West Buckland School, to participate in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) mission to Southeast Asia.
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Crafting Nutritious, Seasonal Meals at West Buckland School
At West Buckland School, we’re proud to offer nutritious, delicious meals prepared by our head chef, Andy, and the team at Holroyd Howe. With over 10 years of experience, Andy is passionate about using local, seasonal ingredients and creating inclusive menus that cater to all dietary needs. Student feedback plays a key role in our menu planning, ensuring every meal is enjoyed.
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From West Buckland School to UCSD
Oscar’s time at West Buckland School gave him the tools to succeed at UC San Diego, from academic rigour to the independence needed for university life. His story reflects how WBS equips students for life beyond school, opening doors to global opportunities and challenges.
Read MoreOur remarkable campus
Described as “a 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
🏆 On the 9th May, three of our Year 13 students had the honour of attending the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award celebrations at Buckingham Palace.
The event was a splendid occasion to recognise their remarkable achievements in the palace gardens. The Duke of Edinburgh delivered a welcoming speech, and the students were inspired by a series of motivational talks throughout the day.
#wbssixthform #dukeofedinburghaward #golddukeofedinburghaward
🕵️♂️ Mystery & Mayhem for a Good Cause!
Think you’ve got what it takes to crack the case? 🔍
Join us for a thrilling evening of suspense at "Who Shot The Sheriff?" — our murder mystery night in support of North Devon Hospice.
📅 Friday 13th June
🕖 7:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets available now on the Parent Portal!
Get your detective hats on — we can’t wait to see you there! 🕵️♀️🗝️
🏏U11 Cricket
Yesterday, our U11 cricketers took on Kingsley School, with exciting matches both at home and away.
Our A team played hard ball pairs at the beautiful @instowcricket, while back at school, we hosted three teams on our cricket pitches in the sunshine 🌞
It was great to see all our players showing real progress, excellent teamwork, and a strong understanding of the game 👏
Thank you to Kingsley School for the fixtures and to all the parents who came to support and encourage 🙌
🏆 Match Results
🏏 A Team won: 316 – 230
🏏 B Team won: 287 – 242
🏏 C Team won: 288 – 191
➕ Plus one fantastic friendly game!
The U11 teams now look ahead to a busy run of matches:
📅 Friday – Exeter School
📅 Saturday – Papplewick School
📅 Monday – Filleigh Cricket Club
#U11Cricket #WBSCricket #CricketWin #TeamWBS #WBSPrep #SchoolCricket #BusySeason #ProudToBeWBS
🎹 Spotlight on River!
We’re incredibly proud of River P. in Year 6, who dazzled the BBC Spotlight TV crew with a stunning performance on Monday.
📺 Watch out for the feature on BBC Spotlight, it could air any evening from 6:30pm, starting today — and will be available on BBC iPlayer for 24 hours after broadcast.
#wbsprep #wbsmusic #RiverOnBBC #bbcspolight #SupportYoungTalent #PianistInTheMaking @bbcdevon
🎉 Huge Congratulations to Our Ten Tors Teams! 🎉
What an unforgettable weekend! Well done to our four amazing teams for taking on the Ten Tors Challenge this weekend, plus two students who represented West Buckland School with @seamoorexplore.
Find out more by following the link in our bio☝
#wbsmiddle #wbssixth #GoWellBeyond #TenTors2025 #dartmoornationalpark #outdoorlearning #spiritofadventure
🏆 Victory for WBS Greenpower Team!
Our team delivered a flawless performance, securing 1st place in our category and an impressive 2nd place in the category above, out of 30 South West cars. What an outstanding achievement - congratulations to everyone involved!
Next up, we`re gearing up for the Castle Combe event in three weeks` time, followed by the International Finals at Goodwood.
A massive thank you to our incredible sponsors @joyce.design, @lockheedmartin, @astuteelectronicsltd, and the West Buckland School Foundation. Your support is invaluable!
#wbsmiddle #GoWayBeyond #greenpower #stempower #girlsinstem #stemeducation @greenpowertrust
🌱 Get Growing in Science!
This week in science, Prep 5 has been diving into the fascinating world of plant reproduction and propagation.
The students had a great time taking cuttings and plantlets from various plants, including Aloe and Begonia, and potting them up to grow their own new plants.
Stay tuned for updates on our green journey! 🌿
#wbsprep #naturesclassroom #GoWayBeyond #getgrowing
🎭 Celebrating Student Success in Drama! 🎭
We’re thrilled to announce that two of our talented Year 11 Drama students have secured places with the prestigious National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre - an achievement earned by only 8% of applicants!
🌟 Drama Scholar, India W has been accepted into the National Youth Theatre and will attend a 10-day Membership Course in Bristol this summer. India will train with industry professionals in voice, movement, characterisation, and devising - culminating in a performance for family and friends. This marks the beginning of exciting opportunities with NYT productions and potential professional castings both in the theatre and on-screen.
🌟 Bella H has been selected as Assistant Director for the National Youth Music Theatre’s new musical, `The Great Moon Hoax`. She’ll collaborate with composers and creatives during a residential course this July. Bella, who has recently been awarded a Sixth Form Drama Scholarship in Theatre Design, will also join Exeter Northcott Theatre’s work experience programme this August, exploring directing, stage management and design.
Both students have just completed GCSE Drama and will continue their journey with A Level Drama and Theatre Studies at WBS next year. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements and can’t wait to see what they do next!
We would also like to thank Ms Passmore (Acting) and Mr Wilson (Theatre Design) for their unfaltering support to India and Bella.
#wbsmiddle #GoWayBeyond #DramaSuccess #ALevelDrama #NYT #NYMT #DramaScholarship #FutureInTheArts
🏅Gold for Georgia in Biology Olympiad!
Huge congratulations to Georgia S for achieving a Gold award in the Biology Olympiad, placing her in the top 5% of nearly 20,000 students who enter the competition each year!
🌱 The prestigious British Biology Olympiad, organised by the Royal Society of Biology, challenges and stimulates students with a passion for biology to expand and extend their talents.
#wbssixth #GoWayBeyond #biologyolympiad #ScienceOlympiads #FutureScientists #goingforgold @royalsocbio
⛺ Our Ten Tors teams are Dartmoor-bound!
This year, we`re proud to have two teams on the 35-mile route and two teams on the 45-mile route, as well as two students joining @seamoorexplore and representing West Buckland School - one on the 35-mile route and one on the 55-mile#dartmoor.
Shout out to honorary team mascot Winston who posed for a quick photo with one of our 45-mile route teams 🐾
Good luck to everyone taking part in Ten Tors this weekend. Show great resilience and enjoy your adventure!
#wbssixth #wbsmiddle #GoWayBeyond #teamwork #TenTors #dartmoor
♟ On Thursday 1st May, nearly 60 students from West Buckland School participated in the annual House Chess tournament, featuring pupils from years 7 - 13.
Lots of excellent games were played, with the Brereton team winning the event.
Well done to all who took part!
#wbsmiddle #HouseChess
🏉 Jocelyn shines at Twickenham!
Last weekend, Jocelyn R had the incredible honour of representing Great Britain and the Army Cadets at the U16 Girls Youth Festival in Twickenham during the Army vs. Navy rugby match.
Playing for the Army Cadet 1 team, Jocelyn and team delivered fast-paced and exciting X Rugby Sevens games, even playing the final during halftime of the men’s game. Jocelyn shared, "The opportunity to play at Twickenham was an honour and something I will cherish for a very long time."
Congratulations, Jocelyn! 👏
#wbsmiddle #wbssport #ArmyCadets #Rugby #Twickenham #YouthFestival #CadetLife
VE Day 80th Anniversary 🕊 Today we remember...
We marked the 80th Anniversary of VE Day by reflecting on WWII with a moving video from our archivist, Berwick Coates, in which he shared stories and his own memories.
#veday80thanniversary #wbsmiddle #lestweforget
📐 Outdoor learning takes many forms...
A-level Maths + sunshine = lots of happy faces!
#wbssixth #outdoorlearning #maths #naturesclassroom
🏁 Greenpower Race Day!
West Buckland Greenpower Team is gearing up for an exciting start to the season this Sunday at RMB Chivenor.
The team has been busy fine-tuning the car and learning new skills, including wrapping the body panels and gaining hands-on experience in applying the striking new graphics that proudly display our sponsors.
The result? A car that looks incredible and is guaranteed to stand out on the track. Spirits are high, and the team is ready to race - good luck, Team! 🍀
#wbsmiddle #greenpower #wbssustainability #RaceDayReady
🌳 Learning beyond the classroom!
As part of our French lessons, students enjoyed a game of pétanque on the school grounds. This classic French pastime, played with a set that`s nearly 90 years old and once belonged to Ms Joly’s grandfather, brought a special sense of history and culture to the experience.
It was a great way to reinforce vocabulary, teamwork, and cultural appreciation — all while having fun outdoors.
#wbsmiddle #outdoorlearning #frenchlessons
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.
