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 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
Latest News
Follow West Buckland School on social media for our latest news and pupil achievements.
📐 UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge Success! 📐
We are delighted to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our students in this year’s UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge.
75 students from Years 7 and 8 took part, and over half earned an award: an incredible accomplishment! 4 Gold, 8 Silver, and 13 Bronze certificates were awarded.
Special congratulations go to:
Frannie C – Gold certificate & best in Year 7
Archie S – Gold certificate, best in Year 8, and highest score overall
Thomas G and Emeline W – Gold certificate winners
🌟 Following their success, Frannie and Archie have qualified for the Junior Kangaroo, taking place on Tuesday 9th June. We wish them both the very best of luck!
Well done to everyone involved! An outstanding effort all round! 👏
The West Buckland Senior Choir and West Buckland Jazz are delighted to be performing at St Luke’s Church, Simonsbath, right in the heart of Exmoor, as part of the Simonsbath Festival.
After the concert, the nearby @exmoor_forest_inn (just a stone’s throw from the church) will be offering a special “pie and a pint” for £20 for those who book in advance 🍺🥧
Please come along and support our talented WBS musicians at this special community event.
👉 Find out more about the wonderful Simonsbath Festival and book your tickets here: simonsbathfestival.org.uk/festival-events/
🎶 Spring 2026 External Music Exams 🎶
Congratulations to everyone who took part in ABRSM & Trinity external performance exams this Spring 2026.
43 candidates performed across a wide range of instruments and voice. Taking part in an external exam is a fantastic achievement. Well done to all! 👏🎵
🏔️ Ten Tors 2026
An enormous congratulations to our three West Buckland School teams who took on the Ten Tors Challenge this weekend.
Eighteen students, three teams, 35 and 45 miles across Dartmoor — and all teams finishing together. A remarkable achievement that reflects resilience, teamwork and determination throughout.
📖 Read more and see all the photos in our blog (link in our bio)
A huge thank you to the WBS community for sharing some fantastic photos from the event — they really capture what an unforgettable weekend it was 👏
@britisharmysouthwest @armytentors
🦋 Well done, Hetty! 🦋
We are thrilled to share that Hetty (Prep 1) has made her professional debut as the voice of the Butterfly in Netflix’s Dr Seuss’ Horton!
She recorded her lines last year, and the series is now out. A fantastic achievement, and a wonderful example of the talent within our Prep School community!
🎉 A huge thank you to all the families who joined us for our May Open Day. It was so wonderful to welcome you all to West Buckland School!
Missed our Open Day but still want to explore everything West Buckland School has to offer?
📧 Contact our Admissions Team to arrange a personal tour: [email protected]
🦒🐧🐘 Mini Minds Meet is BACK🐘🐧🦒
We’re delighted to welcome our youngest learners and their grown‑ups to our next Mini Minds Meet, inspired by the much‑loved story Dear Zoo! 📚
Join us for a fun and friendly morning of storytelling, discovery and imagination, designed especially for toddlers and pre‑school children. A lovely opportunity to explore, play and experience life at West Buckland School.
📅 Tuesday 19 May
⏰ 10.30 - 12:00
Spaces are limited – scan the QR code to register.
We can’t wait to see you! 💛
#MiniMindsMeet #WestBucklandSchool #EarlyYears #DearZoo #LittleLearners #NorthDevonFamilies
⛳ Well done to Emily and Freya who recently competed in the Devon Schools Championship at Stover Golf Club, where the standard was high and the results were very close.
Emily finished third and Freya fourth in the girls’ individual handicap competition, with their gross scores placing them fifth and sixth respectively in the individual scratch standings. Their combined Stableford score of 67 points saw West Buckland School finish 11th overall in a tightly contested field of over 30 teams.
A fantastic effort from both golfers 👏
Congratulations to Ash S (Year 9) 🏑
A huge well done to Ash on being named Junior of the Year 2026 by North Devon Hockey Club! An incredible achievement, especially in his first season playing as goalkeeper for the Men’s 2nd Team.
We’re all very proud of you here at West Buckland and can’t wait to see what you achieve next. ⭐
@northdevonhockeyclub
🥞 Boarding highlights: Parkers Pancakes & Table Tennis 🏓
This week we celebrated our Year 12s completing their mock exams in true Parkers style! Pancake night was the perfect way to unwind, with boarders getting stuck into mixing, cooking and flipping - and enjoying toppings for days - while celebrating everything they’ve achieved.
The energy continued on Tuesday evening with the inaugural Parkers Table Tennis Tournament, which took over the Old Gym. With a great turnout and some impressive skills on display, the knockout rounds led to an exciting final between Valentine & Frank and Josh & Sam. After a tense match that went right down to the final game, Valentine & Frank claimed the overall victory 👏
Well done to everyone involved in two fantastic Parkers events!
#ParkersPancakes #ParkersTableTennis #BoardingLife #Community #MakingMemories
🎭 National Youth Theatre Success for Charlotte!
We are absolutely delighted to celebrate Drama Scholar, Charlotte C, who has successfully won a place with the National Youth Theatre - an outstanding achievement, with fewer than 8% of applicants offered a place each year.
This summer, Charlotte will join the NYT for advanced training and performance opportunities, further developing her craft alongside some of the most talented young performers in the country.
Her success marks another proud milestone for West Buckland’s Drama Department, as this is the third year in succession that our drama students have been accepted into the National Youth Theatre.
Charlotte’s achievement is underpinned by an impressive track record at West Buckland. She has taken on leading roles including Wendy in Wendy and Peter Pan and Cosette in Les Misérables, showcasing both versatility and emotional depth. Most recently, she appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and has just learned that she achieved a Distinction in her Grade 7 LAMDA Acting examination.
Congratulations, Charlotte - a richly deserved success and one we are incredibly proud to celebrate. We look forward to following your continued journey with great excitement! 👏✨
@nationalyouththeatre
🥾 Good luck to our Ten Tors 2026 teams!
You’ve put in the preparation, built the teamwork and tested your resilience - now it’s time to take on the challenge. Wishing all our teams the very best of luck for the weekend’s expedition.
Have a brilliant, safe and memorable Ten Tors experience - we’re incredibly proud of you! 💪🌟
@armytentors
✨ 150 Theatre Festival Gala ✨
Last week we enjoyed an incredible evening celebrating the 150 Theatre Festival Gala. Our students delivered a truly impressive showcase of Drama, Public Speaking and Musical Theatre, supported by beautiful live accompaniment.
The standard throughout the evening was outstanding, and it was fantastic to see so much talent, confidence and creativity on display.
A huge well done to everyone (from the performers to the staff behind the scenes) for making it such a memorable event!
⛳ Henry takes on The Ultra Marathon for The Big Golf Race
On 13 July 2026, Henry H and former student Jack will take on an extraordinary challenge at Royal North Devon Golf Club - 100 holes of golf in one day, starting at 5:30am and playing non‑stop for up to 16 hours, finishing at sunset.
They’re doing it for Prostate Cancer UK, helping to support men and families affected by a disease that 1 in 8 men will face.
🎯 Help them reach their £1,000 fundraising target
💙 Donate. Share. Support. Every action makes a difference.
Follow their journey: RNDGolfRace and find out more about the event at biggolfrace.prostatecanceruk.com
@prostatecanceruk @rndgolfclub #TheBigGolfRace
🎭Outstanding LAMDA Success 🎭
We are delighted to share news from our latest LAMDA exam results. Out of 37 students, every single one passed, with 95% achieving Distinction and the remaining students earning well‑deserved Merits! 🏆
🌟 This achievement is particularly special to us as some of these students completed their exams with English as their second language.
🎹✨ A Rising Star: River Wins Place at the Royal College of Music
We’re delighted to share the news of River’s offer from the Royal College of Music Junior Department to study piano, a world leading institution and an extraordinary achievement.
River’s success is a testament to his exceptional talent, dedication and hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he has accomplished. We can’t wait to see his musical journey continue at such an elite level.
Find out more about River’s inspiring journey and discover the exceptional music opportunities at West Buckland School in our latest blog - click on the link in our bio now ☝
🏑 Charlie Captains England Hockey Talent Academy Squad to Outstanding Start
Last Sunday, Charlie T achieved an outstanding milestone by captaining the England Hockey Talent Academy squad, comprising the top 18 players selected from across Devon, Cornwall, and parts of Somerset and Dorset.
In the opening match of the campaign - part of the squad’s preparation for the national England Hockey Talent Academy tournament at the end of July - Charlie led the team to an emphatic 8–1 victory. This result reflects not only Charlie’s exceptional leadership, but also the collective strength and quality of the squad at the start of what promises to be a highly competitive programme. 👏👏
🦋 Butterflies Spotted in Our School Garden! 🦋
Our biodiverse school garden and grounds have been buzzing with life! Mr Shawcross spotted an incredible range of butterflies, including painted lady, holly blue, small copper, red admiral and peacock.
Thanks to our Mr Shawcross for these lovely photos! All of this is wonderful evidence that the changes made to improve biodiversity across our school site are truly paying off. 🌼
🎢 Boarders’ Weekend Adventure at Thorpe Park
A group of our boarders enjoyed a fun‑filled day at Thorpe Park last Sunday, full of adrenaline and plenty of laughs!
Our boarders benefit from a fantastic mix of weekend activities, from shopping trips and city visits to exciting adventure outings and unique experiences, ensuring there’s always something to look forward to beyond the classroom.
Another great weekend well spent! 😊
@boardingschoolsnetwork @bsaboarding
🎉🎈 IT’S TOMORROW! 🎈🎉
☕ Head’s Breakfast? Yes please.
🎓 Student‑led tours? Absolutely.
🌿 A proper feel for life at WBS? You’ve got it.
Come and meet the people, hear the stories, wander the campus and see what makes West Buckland, West Buckland at our Open Day ✨
⏰ westbuckland.com/open-day/
#ItsTomorrow #ComeAndSee #WestBucklandSchool 💛
🎽 Meet Mrs Lord, our new Head of Sport!
Drawing on experience in elite sport, education and leadership, Mrs Lord is passionate about developing confident, resilient young people through an inclusive sports programme.
Come and meet her at our Open Day on Monday 4 May - sign up on our website now!
📖 Discover her plans for sport at West Buckland School in our latest blog. Link in bio ☝
⏰ 2 DAYS TO GO
Just 2 days to go until our School Open Day!
We can’t wait to welcome families to our Open Day on Monday 4 May.
🥐 Head’s Breakfast
🎓 Student‑led tours
💬 Real stories. Real experiences.
🔗westbuckland.com/open-day/
#OpenDay #MeetTheHead #SeeItForYourself
👏 Congratulations to Arthur 👏
We are pleased to congratulate Arthur J (Year 9) on successfully passing his Assistant Instructor course and assessment. This is an excellent achievement, and we wish him every success in his first instruction role teaching adult beginners.
🎷 Alumna Wins UK Jazz Act of the Year!
We are absolutely delighted to hear that former student Emma Rawicz‑Szczerbo (09–20B) has been named UK Jazz Act of the Year at the recent Jazz FM Awards.
The award was presented at a star‑studded ceremony held at KOKO in London, where Emma received the honour from actor Martin Freeman to her delight!
Emma’s star continues to rise, and we couldn’t be prouder of her remarkable success. Huge congratulations, Emma, on this outstanding accomplishment! 👏🌟
⏰ 3 DAYS TO GO
Only 3 days until our Open Day on Monday 4 May 🎉
Join us for a Head’s Breakfast, meet our wonderful students, and enjoy a student‑led tour of our beautiful campus.
✨ Discover life at West Buckland School
📍 Monday 4 May, 09.30am
👉 Book your place now: westbuckland.com/open-day/
#OpenDayCountdown #FutureReady #WestBucklandSchool
We are seeking an outstanding Teacher of A-Level Physics to join our team from September 2026.
We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate students, while working collaboratively within the Physics Department and across the wider school community.
If you’re passionate about delivering high-quality science education and want to be part of a supportive and forward-thinking environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more and apply here: https://westbuckland.com/about/vacancies/
#TeachingJobs #PhysicsTeacher #ALevel #EducationCareers #IndependentSchools #STEMEducation #TeacherRecruitment #DevonJobs
🎾✨ Excellence. Opportunity. Performance.
Tennis at West Buckland School pairs proven competitive success with a focus on developing confident, ambitious players at every level.
🏆 Devon Tennis School of the Year 2025 | Highly Commended LTA Excellence Award
✨ Expert on-staff coaching with Level 5 and Level 2 coaches
🎾 19 on‑site courts | Year‑round tennis
👟 School, squad and performance pathways
🌍 Popular with international short‑stay students
With elite coaching and players progressing to the very highest levels, including Junior Wimbledon, our programme speaks for itself.
Find out more - click the link in our bio ☝
🗳️ Student Voice in Action! 🗳️
The Culture Club recently engaged our students in a meaningful democratic discussion, asking an important question:
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
The EDI group were really pleased with the strong turnout and the high levels of pupil engagement. Students demonstrated a wide range of knowledge and understanding around the complexities of democracy and voting, sparking thoughtful discussion throughout the session.
✅ YES: 64
❌ NO: 41
Many students shared the view that voting is a valuable right and should not be wasted. The discussion also raised interesting questions around whether there should be an upper age limit for voting.
Thank you to all students who voted, listened to each others opinions respectively and discussed their views with our EDI Team.
🏉 Outstanding Achievement for Rugby 🏉
Earlier this month, Our WBS U14 Rugby Team became U14 European Champions, coming out on top at the Hilversum Tournament!
To cap off an incredible season, they’ve also lifted the Devon Cup, securing a 34–12 win over Ivybridge in the final.
🪂 Taking the leap for an incredible cause!
As part of their role as Young Ambassadors for Children’s Hospice South West, Year 13s Samson M-G, Amy H and Sam J will be taking on a sponsored skydive from 15,000 feet on Saturday 2nd May, alongside other Young Ambassadors.
Each member of the skydive team is aiming to raise £400, and every donation will help raise vital funds for CHSW, supporting children with life‑limiting conditions and their families. If you would like to show your support, please visit the link in our bio to donate via their JustGiving page. Every contribution makes a difference.
We’re incredibly proud of their commitment and bravery - good luck and enjoy the experience! 👏🍀
@childrenshospicesw
🧮 Junior Mathematical Challenge 🧮
Best of luck to everyone taking part in the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge today!
Believe in yourselves, enjoy the challenge, and do your best! 🍀
A New Greenpower Season Awaits!
With the new Greenpower season upon us, we’re thrilled to welcome our new drivers, pit crew and marketing team. We’ll be racing at RMB Chivenor, Castle Combe and the iconic Goodwood Circuit - a fantastic line‑up of venues!
It’s shaping up to be an exciting and competitive season, and we’re ready to give it everything - with our sights firmly set on qualifying for the International Finals once again. With quick pit stops under 15 seconds, drivers pushing the limits on track, and our student marketing team capturing every moment, the countdown to racing has begun.
Our Greenpower team is made possible thanks to our outstanding Design & Technology facilities, expert staff support and, above all, the enthusiasm and commitment of our students. We’re also extremely grateful to our sponsors for their continued support of this amazing team.
Bring on the racing!
@greenpowertrust
🚀 Future Ready. Fully Supported.
☕✨ Join us for our Head’s Breakfast! Meet our Heads of School, hear directly from our students 🎓, and explore our beautiful campus on a student guided tour 🌿
📅 4 May | ⏰ 9:30am
🔗 Book your place: https://westbuckland.com/open-day
#OpenDay #IndependentEducation #FutureFocused #WestBucklandSchool #YourNextStep
🌟 May Half Term Holiday Club 2026 🌟
Looking for fun-filled half-term plans? Our May Half Term Holiday Club is now open for bookings and welcomes all children aged Nursery to Prep 4 / Year 4 both current pupils and external children are very welcome!
🎨⚽🦖 What’s in store?
This half term is packed with excitement, including:
Tie-dyeing creativity
Face painting fun
Outdoor games
A very special Dinosaur Day
Plus much more!
📅 Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th May 2026
Book now to secure your child’s place 👉
🔗www.tickettailor.com/events/wbs/2163638
Wishing our Year 13s the very best of luck as their exams begin today. We’re all behind you - you`ve got this! 🌟
🎷✨ Swing at the Sands 2026 – It’s THIS WEEK! ✨🎷
One of the highlights of our musical calendar is almost here! West Buckland Jazz return to the stunning ballroom at Saunton Sands Hotel for an unforgettable evening of live jazz, swing and feel‑good vibes.
🎶 Three sizzling sets
🌟 A special middle set starring our talented senior singers
💃 A final set that’s guaranteed to get the dancefloor going
With tables of ten and a delicious food included, it’s the perfect night to sit back, relax, and soak up incredible music in an iconic venue.
It’s always a standout event… and 2026 is shaping up to be our best yet.
🎟️ Happening this week – don’t miss out!
Get your tickets now 👉 https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/109351
See you on the dancefloor! 🕺✨
🥾✨ Gold DofE Success in the Brecon Beacons
Last weekend, Issie, Kit and Aoife successfully completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition in the stunning Brecon Beacons, Wales.
Even before the expedition began, they faced unexpected challenges when members of their planned team were unable to take part at the last minute. Undeterred, the trio showed remarkable resilience and determination, stepping up and pushing forward together.
From day one, they continued on despite injury, demonstrating outstanding endurance, teamwork and unwavering support for one another. Staff highly commended them for their determination, grit and true spirit of adventure and discovery.
A huge congratulations to all three on this incredible achievement - a fantastic example of resilience and teamwork in action. 👏
🚀 Our Careers Evening at West Buckland School is designed to inspire, inform and open doors.
📅 Thursday 7 May
⏰ 17:45 – 20:00
📍 MM Library
Students will hear real‑world insights from alumni and industry professionals across a wide range of sectors, including:
💊 Pharmaceutical
🏛 Architecture
⚖ Legal
💼 Finance
🎨 Marketing & Design
🏅 Sports & Leisure
✅ Open to WBS students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13
✅ Compulsory for Year 12 students
✅ A fantastic opportunity to start shaping future pathways
Don’t miss the chance to be inspired and start planning your next steps.
#WestBucklandSchool #CareersEvening #FutureFocused #StudentSuccess #NextSteps #inspiringfutures
@wbs_owba
🏇 Show Jumping Success!
On Sunday 19th April, the West Buckland School Show Jumping Team of Isla R & Flicker, Verity C & Chantilly Storm, Ashton S & Diva Dancer and Romi M & Pepe competed in the Schools Show Jumping League at Coxleigh Barton. Competing at 60cm and 70cm, the team finished an impressive 2nd place out of 7 teams.
Individually, it was a fantastic day for our riders too:
🥇 Romi – 1st place
🥈 Isla – 2nd place
⭐ Ashton – 6th place
A huge congratulations to all our riders on this outstanding achievement, we are very proud of you! 👏👏
The next competition dates are 17th May, 14th June, with the Championships on 5th July. We wish the team the very best of luck in the coming events! 🍀
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.
