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 “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

Our facilities

Latest News

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

🎾Back by popular demand, Social Tennis returns to WBS🎉

Join us on Friday mornings (9:00-10:00am) on the Front Courts for social tennis with coaching tips from our WBS Tennis coaches.

📍 Please meet in Reception at 8:55am

All abilities welcome!

📩To secure your spot, please email: ndw@westbuckland.com

#SocialTennis #WBS #Tennis #FridayMorning #SchoolSport #WBSSport #WBSTennisAcademy
🐞 Mini Minds Meet | Free Toddler & Parent Session 🌳

Join us for our next Mini Minds Meet at West Buckland School, inspired by the much-loved story What the Ladybird Heard 🐞📖

This free, playful session is designed for toddlers and parents to enjoy time together through stories, activities and exploration in a nurturing setting.

🗓 Tuesday 28 April
⏰ 10.30am – 12.00pm
📍 West Buckland School

Come and share a magical morning of learning, laughter and discovery 🌼

🔗 Scan the QR code or visit our website to book

#MiniMindsMeet #WestBucklandSchool #ToddlerSessions #EarlyYears #WhatTheLadybirdHeard
🏃‍♀️ Sports Captain Announcement - Athletics

Our final Sports Captains announcement…

We are delighted to introduce our Athletics Captain 
for this term:

🏃‍♀️ Nyla R 

A well deserved appointment, recognising her commitment, determination, and contribution to athletics and cross country, both inside and outside of school. We look forward to seeing her lead with confidence and set a strong example across the season.

We have a fantastic group of Sports Captains this term, and we wish them every success.

#WelcomeBack #SportsCaptains #StudentLeadership #Athletics #WBSSport
☀️ Welcome Back, Everyone! ☀️

Tomorrow, we open our doors and welcome back our students after their well‑deserved break. We can’t wait to get started again with new goals, fresh focus, and excitement for the opportunities ahead!

Let’s make it a great term together! 📖
🚌 NEW FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 | WEEKLY BOARDING JUST GOT EASIER

We’re excited to launch a new twice‑weekly student bus route for weekly boarders at West Buckland School, supporting families in Bude, Holsworthy and the surrounding areas.

✅ Convenient pick‑up and drop‑off
✅ Reliable, school‑run transport
✅ Less time on the road, more time to settle into the week
✅ Ideal for weekly boarding families

📍 Serving Bude ➝ Holsworthy ➝ Hatherleigh ➝ Great Torrington ➝ Umberleigh ➝ West Buckland School

📅 Operating twice weekly from September 2026

📩 Get in touch to find out more or register your interest: admissions@westbuckland.com

#WestBucklandSchool #WeeklyBoarding #SchoolTransport #Bude #Holsworthy #NorthCornwall #NorthDevon #IndependentEducation
🥎 LTA Tournaments NEW to West Buckland School 🥎

Big tennis news - we're excited to be hosting LTA tournaments at West Buckland School this summer, as part of the Devon Lexus Junior Tour and the Whirlwind Mini Tour!

These events offer players a fantastic opportunity to compete in a well-organised, friendly yet competitive environment on outstanding facilities, with matches suitable for a range of developing junior players across Devon.

First up: U12 Mixed & U16 Boys – Sunday 26th April
Entries are now open so don’t miss your chance to compete. Sign up via the link in our bio - closing date in 4 days!

Proud to be Devon Tennis School of the Year and Highly Commended by the LTA, our tennis programme continues to go from strength to strength. With two full-time LTA-qualified coaches, 19 courts, and our established Tennis Academy, West Buckland School provides an excellent competitive setting for junior players to test and develop their game.

We look forward to welcoming players from across Devon for a great summer of tennis. 🎾

@lta @devontennis  #LTATennis #DevonTennis #JuniorTennis #GameSetMatch #FutureChampions
✨ Throwback Thursday!✨

Today we are looking back at Term 2 and what a term it’s been! 💛 
Full of growth, energy, kindness, laughter, hard work, and friendship, you truly made it unforgettable.

From trips 🚍, Easter egg hunts 🐣 and netball competitions 🏐 
to rugby tournaments 🏉, tennis awards 🎾 and art exhibitions 🎨 it has been ACTION PACKED!
Term 3… we are ready for you! 💪🔥

#ThrowbackThursday #Term2Highlights #SoProud #ReadyForTerm3
🎷✨ Swing at the Sands 2026

Get ready for one of the highlights of our musical calendar! West Buckland Jazz return to the stunning ballroom at Saunton Sands Hotel for an evening packed with live jazz, swing and serious good vibes.

The night unfolds across three sets - including a special middle set featuring some of our talented senior singers taking the spotlight with the band. And when the final set kicks in, we’re expecting the dancefloor to come alive. Consider this your invitation to boogie the night away.

With ten tables of ten, you can sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious finger buffet included in your ticket. Great music, great company, great food - all in one iconic venue.

It’s always a standout event… and 2026 is set to be the best yet.

Secure your tickets now with the link in our bio ☝
Happy Easter to our whole school community 🐣

We hope you take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy some sweet treats! 🍫
🐣 Our Easter Holiday Camp is back! 🌸

Just a few spaces left for a jam‑packed programme of Easter fun 🐰

🥚 Easter egg hunts
🚜 Farm visits
🏖️ Beach trips
…and so much more!

📍 Open to West Buckland students and external students
👶 Nursery – Year 4
📅 2 April – 17 April
👉 Scan the QR code or book on the link:
tickettailor.com/events/wbs/2089444
The Exmoor - it’s tomorrow!

The wait is almost over… tomorrow we come together for Exmoor Day at West Buckland School! A day full of pride, tradition and community spirit as we take part in a legacy dating back to 1859.

We’re looking forward to a rousing Exmoor Assembly, runners gathering in the Quad, and welcoming 60 OWBA runners back to school. Then comes the epic walk out to the starting points before the challenge begins: the Mini, the Junior, the Heasley Challenge, and the legendary Kinsford Long.

And of course, we can’t wait to see everyone cross the finish line - with that unforgettable mix of relief, pride and pure Exmoor spirit.

Get ready for one of the very best days in the school calendar! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️✨

@wbs_owba
🎭 150 Theatre Performing Arts Festival 2026 🎭

We’re delighted to announce this year’s award winners:

🏆 Junior John Vick Headmaster’s Award – Lottie N.
🏆 Senior John Vick Headmaster’s Award – Reuben N.
🎤 Highest Mark for Public Speaking – Neve M. & Rupert F.
🎭 Highest Mark for Musical Theatre – Lottie N.
🌟 Triple Honours Award – Charlotte C.
😂 Festival Comedy Award – Seb W.
✨ Festival Novice Award – Scarlett N.

Join us for the Senior School Gala Concert of Festival Highlights on 30th April from 6.30pm, celebrating our highest‑scoring performers.
⛳ Devon Girls Golf Success! 

Huge congratulations to Emily and Freya, who were selected as part of a team of nine to represent Devon Girls in their match against Gloucestershire Girls on Sunday 22 March at Bristol & Clifton Golf Club.

It was a beautiful sunny day on a challenging course the girls hadn’t played before - and with a maximum playing handicap of 18, both Emily and Freya had shots deducted (Emily lost 5, Freya lost 3). Even so, they rose to the challenge superbly.
Both won their Foursomes matches - Emily and her partner won 3/2 and Freya and her partner won 2/1.

Their performances helped secure an overall 4–3 victory for the Devon Girls team.
A fantastic achievement - well done to Emily, Freya and the whole squad! 🙌
🌟 If you love Creativity, Independence, Technology, Opportunity, Belonging, and Sport… you will LOVE West Buckland School! 🌟

See it all for yourself at our Open Day on 4 May 9.30am.
🥐 Join us for the Head’s Breakfast
💛 Meet our Heads of School and enjoy a guided campus tour led by the people who know it best - our students!
📍 Registration link in bio

We can’t wait to welcome you to our school and show you what makes West Buckland truly special. 💛💙
📚 English at West Buckland School

When students develop a genuine love of language and learning, exceptional results naturally follow.

At West Buckland School, our GCSE and A Level English results consistently outperform national trends, driven by:

✏️ Outstanding teaching
✏️ Vibrant, discussion‑rich classrooms
✏️ A broad, inspiring curriculum
✏️ A culture that sparks curiosity and confidence

From analysing great literature to crafting original writing, our students discover the power of words - and the joy of expressing themselves with clarity and creativity.

Read the full blog to explore what makes English at West Buckland School so special: https://westbuckland.com/teacher-blog-focus-on-english/
The Guy Hopson Cup Speaking Competition showcased exceptional Sixth Form oracy and critical thinking. Students delivered a 3–4 minute talk on an unseen philosophical or ethical title and responded to questions from the adjudicating panel, with marks awarded for content, delivery and handling questions.

The top three results were Rafe, Ethan and Jess but only a few marks between the top scoring students. 

A very high standard was evident across all contributions, with students tackling challenging and contemporary issues with confidence, balance and intellectual maturity.

The overall winner of the Guy Hopson Cup will be announced on Speech Day, once the essay element of the competition has been marked.

The Guy Hopson Cup is held in memory of Guy Hopson, who taught at West Buckland School for nearly 20 years. The prize was established to reflect the breadth of his skills and interests, and his widow, Jackie Hopson, continues to judge the competition each year.

We are extremely grateful to our judges for their time and expertise: Jackie Hopson, Colin Byfleet (former teachers of the school), Ms Gower, Ms Episkopos, and Dr McKerrow.

The competition was organised by Mrs Hamilton, with invaluable support from Vincent, one of our Academic Prefects, who helped ensure the event ran smoothly.
🏉 UR7s National Sevens Academy Success for Percy!

Over half term, Percy F (Y8) took part in the UR7s National Sevens Academy trials in Bristol - and we’re thrilled to share that he was successful and has been invited to join the academy for next season.

A fantastic achievement and a testament to his hard work, talent and determination. Well done, Percy - we can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes you next!
👟 The Exmoor – One Week to Go!

This time next week, the entire West Buckland community will come together for The Exmoor - the longest and oldest independent school cross‑country run in the UK. A true highlight of the school calendar, it’s a day where everyone plays their part.

Whether you’re taking on the Kinsford Full, the Heasley Challenge, the Stowford Junior or Mini, marshalling along the course, or cheering from the sidelines, it’s always a brilliant celebration of determination, tradition and school spirit.

And this year, we’re thrilled to welcome a record 54 OWBA runners back to join the challenge.

To get you in the spirit, take a look at this footage from last year’s event - the perfect warm‑up for what’s to come.

West Buckland School - are you ready for The Exmoor?

@wbs_owba
🎾 Another Ace for WBS Tennis! 

Following on from being named Devon Tennis School of the Year, we’re thrilled to share that West Buckland School has been awarded a Highly Commended LTA Excellence Award in the School of the Year category. This recognition reflects the dedication, hard work and passion that our tennis programme demonstrates day in, day out.

This achievement highlights our long‑standing commitment to tennis excellence - from our top‑class facilities and Tennis Academy to our two full‑time, highly qualified LTA coaches who deliver year‑round training.

With the new season just around the corner, it’s the perfect way to build momentum. While tennis thrives here all year, the summer term always brings a fresh energy as coaching and match play shift into a new gear.

A fantastic milestone for WBS Tennis as we head into another exciting season. As always, thank you to all the players, coaches and supporters who make our tennis programme such as success. 🎉
🏉 Special Visit from Bristol Bears Rugby Prop, Lovejoy Chawatama!

Earlier this week, we were delighted to welcome Lovejoy Chawatama to West Buckland School as he spent the day shadowing Josh Lord, our Head of Rugby. As part of his professional development, Lovejoy chose WBS specifically for its outstanding rugby programme and the exciting future plans currently underway. Lovejoy had the opportunity to learn how to build, enhance and sustain a thriving school rugby environment.

Throughout the visit, Lovejoy also shared his insights on development, resilience and passion for the game. His journey in professional rugby offered real inspiration to our students.

🙌 A huge thank you to Lovejoy for spending the day with us, and to The Rugby Players Association for arranging this fantastic opportunity.

West Buckland Sport @westbucklandsport
🎓 Y12 Begin Their Next‑Steps Journey

On Monday, our Year 12 students attended the annual UCAS Discovery Event at the Westpoint Centre in Exeter - an exciting milestone that marks the beginning of their careers and next‑steps programme.

Throughout the day, students explored a wide range of universities, discovered courses on offer, and gathered valuable insight to help them prepare for future applications.

A big thank you to Mrs Hamilton and Mr Beacham for organising the trip, and to Mrs Episkopis for supporting on the day. And of course, well done to our Y12s for their excellent conduct - a pleasure to take!

@ucas_online
Introducing this year's Senior Socrates Society President - George S 👏

George will lead the seniors in lively discussions and thoughtful debate, inspiring others to speak with confidence and think boldly. A fantastic moment for the society as it continues to grow and thrive.

Read more about West Buckland School's Socrates Society - follow the link in our bio ☝️

#WBSCommunity #SocratesClub #wbsmiddle #wbssixth #CriticalThinking #StudentVoice #WBSBrillian
Our award‑shortlisted Mini Meets sessions are back!

This time we’re hopping into spring with a fun-filled Easter Extravaganza for our little learners! 🐣🌼

📅 Tuesday 24 March
⏰ Starts at 10:30am
✨ Free to attend — booking essential

Join us for crafts, play, discovery and plenty of Easter magic.

👉 Register here: https://westbuckland.com/mini-minds-meet/

We can’t wait to welcome you! 💛

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