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 the 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!
Growing up is inevitable, but how you do it is a choice. At West Buckland, we believe in nurturing our students’ growth through exploration and generosity, helping them become the leaders of tomorrow.
Learning at the Heart of Our Education
At West Buckland, learning is at the core of everything we do. Our curriculum is designed to help students discover more about their subjects, their environment, and themselves. We value who your children become during their time here, not just what they achieve. Our students are encouraged to challenge their knowledge and dreams through a variety of ambitious cultural, intellectual, sporting, outdoor, and service programmes. This holistic approach allows them to develop into balanced, accomplished individuals who can make a difference in the world.
Unlocking True Potential through core values
By embracing resilience, honesty, kindness, respect, and curiosity, we aim to unlock each student’s true potential. Our inclusive and ever-exploring community provides the perfect environment for them to flourish. We emphasize the importance of having a sense of duty, an awareness of right and wrong. We encourage our students to be ambitious, with a clear sense of purpose and a balanced view of life. They resist the temptation to play it safe or follow the crowd. Instead, they dare to blaze new trails and, through reflective appraisal, change expectations. Our students are not just preparing for jobs that have yet to be invented; they are poised to create and lead those jobs.
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.
Phillip Stapleton, Head
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.
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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
📅Next Week’s Fixtures
As we approach the end of term, we`re gearing up for an action-packed week!
Inter-House matches, the Prep School swimming gala and some exciting inter-school fixtures🏅
Good luck to everyone involved!💪
#WeeklyFixtures #InterHouse #InterSchool #SchoolSpirit #GoodLuck #wbssport
🎹✨ Tune in and be inspired! ✨🎹
This Sunday, 23rd March, at 7.45am, don`t miss the incredible River, a talented Year 6 student, sharing his passion for piano on BBC Radio Devon`s Breakfast Show! 🎶🎤 River`s breathtaking skills will leave you in awe, and you`ll even get a sneak peek of his performance at the start of the interview.
We`re excited to see River accompanied by the amazing North Devon Sinfonia in a concert this June. 🌟 Be part of his journey and show your support for this rising star.
Set your alarms and tune in! 🕖 Let’s celebrate young talent together. 🎵 #RiverOnBBC #SupportYoungTalent #PianistInTheMaking #BBCDevon #NorthDevonSinfonia #wbsprep
🏏Huge congratulations to Noah
Noah has been selected for the Bunbury Festival trials, representing the South & West region alongside 20 other talented U15 boys.
The trials start on May 5th and run through the summer, with 14 players eventually chosen to compete at the Bunbury Festival in Loughborough.
This prestigious event is a key part of the ECB’s Player Pathway, and has launched the careers of over 90 players, including cricket icons like Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, and Joe Root 🙌
@devoncricket @instowcricket
#CricketJourney #BunburyFestival #FutureStar #wbssport #wbsachievers
🌞 Year 8 students soaked up the afternoon sun while learning about the origins of their food and connecting with nature.
At the Exmoor Game School (@theexmoorgameschool24), pupils had the unique opportunity to prepare rabbits for cooking under the expert guidance of Darren Sherwood. Meanwhile, other students enjoyed making Damper breads over an open fire. 🌿
#ExmoorGameSchool #wbsmiddle #OutdoorEducation
🎶 **An Afternoon of Talent and Togetherness** 🎶
Yesterday, students gathered in the Memorial Hall for an *Informal Concert*, where they performed for one another in a heartwarming celebration of creativity, hard work, and community.
This special event wasn’t just about showcasing talent—it was about growth. Performing for peers fosters confidence and resilience, as students step out of their comfort zone to share their artistry. It strengthens bonds of camaraderie and mutual support, reminding everyone of the power of collaboration and encouragement.
And, of course, it was a chance to have fun, inspire one another, and enjoy a variety of wonderful performances!
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this magical event. Let’s continue celebrating the talents and connections that make our community so unique! 🎭🎤🎵
🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (3 of 7): `The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband`
Seraphine H and Roxy S delighted their audience with hilarious performances during their drama exam. They showcased their comedic talents through extracts from their chosen play, `The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband`.
Their timing, delivery and eccentric characters were just fabulous!
#SixthForm #ALevelDrama #ALevelTheatre
When we chat with the children at our Prep School, their enthusiasm for #WBS shines through!
From playtime to music, forest school to delicious meals, it`s clear they absolutely LOVE West Buckland School.
So, if you would like to help other families find West Buckland Prep School, please share this post with a few words about why you recommend this school.
Let`s ensure more children can access the incredible opportunities in our warm and inviting community!
Thank you for your support of West Buckland School.
#wbsprep #WestBucklandSchool #PrepSchool #Education
🏀 On Saturday, our Parkers house parent, Mr Reed, set up a basketball challenge between the boarding pupils of Parkers and Boyer at the JESC.
The game started with Boyer in the lead, but Parkers made a strong comeback, making it a thrilling and evenly matched contest. The game lasted for two hours, with a fantastic display of sportsmanship and involvement from a variety of pupils. A special guest appearance from Bamfylde, who supported the Boyer team, added to the excitement.
This is one of the great ways we encourage community spirit between our boarding houses!
#wbsboarding #Parkers #Boyer #Bamfylde #boardingschoollife #boardingschooldevon #boardingschooluk #UKIndependentSchool
⚛️ International Particle Physics Masterclass! ⚛️
📉 On 11th March, a group of students from Y11 and Y12 attended the International Particle Physics Masterclass at Plymouth University, for an incredible day put together through collaboration from 210 universities, across 45 countries. This Academic Extension enabled our students to step into the shoes of a particle physicist for the day, along with Mr Brown, Physics teacher, for what was truly a global event, reflecting the global nature of particle physics research.
Under the expert guidance of physicists, our students worked with real data from experiments conducted at CERN`s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), delving into the fascinating world of particle physics. The program`s structure mirrors the work of real scientists, with data from four major LHC experiments—ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, and LHCb—available for educational use. The day concluded with a video conference, where our students connected with international peers to discuss findings with moderators at CERN, simulating a real scientific working environment.
A huge thank you to Mrs Hamilton, our Head of Academic Extension, and Mr Brown, our physics teacher, for all your hard work to deliver this opportunity to the students, who returned inspired and ready to share their newfound knowledge with their peers!
#wbsmiddle #wbssixthform #PhysicsMasterclass #PlymouthUniversity
🤍 Today, West Buckland School was filled with white roses in celebration of White Valentines, raising money for North Devon Hospice. 🤍
With the help of the students, Miss Hill has been collecting donations and requests, tying messages to roses, and delivering them to the right people throughout the day! It`s been a great opportunity for people to show their appreciation for others around the school.
White Valentines originated in Japan and was designed to mirror Valentines Day in a unique way – while it was customary on Valentines Day for women to gift chocolates to the men in their lives (not just their partners), on the 14th of March the recipients returned the favour with a gift of white roses.
👕 This also ran alongside Pyjama Day where this Friday, with a £1 donation, students came into school wearing their comfiest and warmest PJs!
Thanks to the Charities Committee, both initiatives are raising money for the Cuddle Appeal for North Devon Hospice.
#wbsmiddle #wbssixthform #wbsboarding #whitevalentine #whiteroses #northdevonhospice
🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (2 of 7): `The Pillowman`.
Reuben R and Joseph N delivered gripping performances in their extracts from ‘The Pillowman’ with Jack W`s lighting enhancing the tension.
Together, they captured the dark themes of the play with skill, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
Thank you so much to @howaboutdavephotography for all these beautiful photos.
#wbsmiddle #ALevelDrama #ALevelTheatre #wbsdrama
🎵 The West Buckland Chapel Choir has had an incredibly rewarding two weeks, sharing beautiful music in two wonderful locations. Last week, they performed Choral Evensong at the historic Exeter Cathedral, a service that has been cherished for centuries.
On Ash Wednesday, they joined our local parish at St James` Church, Swimbridge, for a special celebration. This service was particularly significant as it marked the re-consecration of the newly restored Medieval pulpit.
Bravo to the choir for their inspiring performances!
#WestBucklandChapelChoir #ExeterCathedral #wbsmusic #AshWednesday
🎭 Year 11 GCSE Drama Play (1 of 7): `Antigone`.
Rosie M and Florie B delivered a captivating performance of two extracts from `Antigone` for their GCSE Drama.
It was impressive seeing them take on the challenge of Greek theatre, and their portrayal was full of intrigue and tension. Bella H`s beautiful, atmospheric lighting enhanced the drama, creating a mesmerising performance.
#wbsdrama #wbsmiddle #GCSEdrama #Antigone
We are delighted to announce West Buckland School Physics Department has recently been awarded the Isaac Physics Embedded School status at Bronze level by Cambridge University. This award is prestigious and reflects an incredible amount of work and dedication from both teachers and students alike.
Isaac Physics is funded by the University of Cambridge, aimed at empowering all students through free access to high quality STEM learning resources, irrespective of location, background, school or environment. With regular use of their problem-solving questions, students develop the fluency and ability in physical and mathematical analysis that is required for university and to raise their grades. Educational research undertaken over several years supports these findings and the Isaac Physics brand is highly respected by schools and universities.
Congratulations to all involved in securing this prestigious award, which reflects our passion for providing our students with the very best opportunities for learning and discovery.
#isaacphysics #wbsmiddle #academicextension #stem #physicsgcse #physicsalevel
Way Beyond West Buckland!
Where are they now?
Daisy Harley-Nyang, studying at West Buckland School from 2001 - 2009, Fortescue, now works with the Met Office as a Deployable Project Scientist.
Daisy gained her doctorate in Water Informatics Engineering from the University of Exeter. Her research, titled A Study of Microplastics in Wastewater, Sludge and Biosolids, was funded by WISE CDT (ESPRC) and UKWIR and supervised by Professor Fayyaz Memon and Professor Tamara Galloway. She hopes her research will benefit the water industry in the future.
As a scientist seeking the truth through scientific enquiry, to inform industry and uncover improvements to benefit the environment, Daisy continues to demonstrate the West Buckland values of honesty and curiosity.
Read more about Daisy in the West Buckland Brief available online at https://owba.westbuckland.com/news/
Here you will see more Alumni Career Focus news, as well as recent graduate news.
Thanks to the OWBA for the image and your work with our Alumni!
#curiosity #honesty #Respect #owba #westbucklandschool #environment #microplastics #studyscience #internationalwomensweek
🌟 Easter is fast approaching, so make sure you book your place! 🌟
Whether you’re a student at West Buckland School or another school, we’re excited to invite you to an intensive 4-day learning experience designed to boost your exam prep and give you that extra edge as you head into your final exams.
📅 Dates: 7-10 April 2025
🏠 Options: Boarding or Day
📍 Location: West Buckland School
🎯 Goal: Focused revision, expert tuition, and interactive workshops to build your confidence and knowledge in key subjects.
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow students across the region, receive targeted support, and refine your skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding or get those last-minute tips, we’ve got you covered!
🔗 Sign up now: https://westbuckland.com/easter-revision-course
#GCSEPreparation #HotHouseLearning #GCSE2025 #wbsmiddle
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.
