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
โThe highest reward for your toil is not what you get for it but what you become by it.โ 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.ย 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
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 ยฃ14 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
๐ Parent Rep: Head Lunch Sparks Positive Connections
On Tuesday, our Parent Reps enjoyed a wonderful lunch meeting with our new Head of School, Helen Lowe, alongside Kate Corbin and Sarah Phillips. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas, and foster a strong sense of community.
#SchoolCommunity #ParentReps #NewBeginnings
๐งธ Join Our Teddy Bears` Picnic This June ๐งธ
Open to all families: come join us in our beautiful outdoor setting! Enjoy a picnic, games, and lots of fun activities.
๐
Saturday, 7th June
๐ 10 AM - 1 PM
Meet our Prep teachers, as well as parents and children already at the school. You can also get to know some of our older pupils who will be hosting games and activities. It`s a fantastic opportunity to connect with the WBS community!
For more information and a chance to sign up, click on the link below. We can`t wait to see you there!
๐ www.westbuckland.com/teddy-bears-picnic/
#wbsprep #teddybearspicnic
๐ฃ๏ธ๐ Debating Global Issues at West Buckland
In last Fridayโs GCSE Global Perspectives lesson, our Year 10 students got a taste of sixth-form life as they explored the format of the Phoenix Debating Society while preparing for their coursework.
The topic? Global food suppliesโand whether we should be doing more to reduce the environmental impact of food production and transportation. Students delivered thoughtful, passionate arguments, with particularly impressive contributions from our short-term overseas students, debating confidently in their second language. ๐
It was a fantastic introduction to structured debate and global citizenship in action!
#wbsmiddle #GlobalPerspectives #StudentVoice #DebateSkills #EcoAwareness #PhoenixDebatingSociety
๐ถ Boarders Sea Kayaking at Combe Martin
On Friday, our boarders met the perfect conditions for an adventure along the stunning Combe Martin coastline, playing games on the kayaks and exploring the hidden coves!
A huge thank you to the amazing team at @oskc_watersports for guiding the session, and to Mrs Turner for taking the boarders down... and even joining in for a paddle herself!
#oskcwatersports #wbsboarding #SchoolTrips
๐ถ A Musical Week for the Prep Chamber Choir!
Itโs been a busy and brilliant time for our talented Prep Chamber Choir! Last Tuesday, they brought joy to residents at the South Molton Care Homes, and on Thursday, their voices soared in the sunshine on the main bandstand at the Devon County Show.
Audiences were treated to songs from our upcoming production of Wind in the Willows, as well as beautiful renditions of So Long, Farewell (Rodgers & Hammerstein) and Sing (The Carpenters).
A special shoutout to Thomas for his stunning flugel horn solo and to River, who wowed us all with his magnificent piano performance. ๐๐บ๐น
#wbsprep #PrepChamberChoir #GoWayBeyond #DevonCountyShow #LiveMusic #WindInTheWillows #MusicMatters
๐ฆ Sustainability in Action!
As part of our ECA programme, Year 12 students from the West Buckland Environmental and Biodiversity Society (WEBS) have teamed up with Year 7 students on a range of exciting Sustainability and Biodiversity projects.
Recently, theyโve been dissecting owl pelletsโkindly donated by our resident barn owl familyโto investigate the impact of land use changes on local wildlife. By analysing the contents, students have identified various prey species and even reconstructed skeletons from the bones!
These findings are helping assess the success of our rewilding efforts, including wildflower meadow development and tree planting on the old golf course, which is now a thriving habitat for wildlife.๐ฟ
Discover more about sustainability at WBS including our upcoming Sustainability Festival - follow the link in our bio โ
#wbsmiddle #EcoEducation #Sustainability #Biodiversity #StudentLedScience #WildlifeConservation #GoWayBeyond #SustainabiltyFestival2025 #wbsoneaction
๐ Happy World Bee Day from West Buckland School! ๐
To celebrate the vital role bees and other pollinators play to our ecosystem, our catering team at @hh_westbuckland have created these stunning cupcakes!
Bees are essential for supporting biodiversity by pollinating the plants that sustain us and our planet.
A huge thank you to Holroyd Howe for adding such a sweet and thoughtful touch to this important day! ๐
#WorldBeeDay2025 #WestBucklandSchool #holroydhowe
๐ช Perfect Weather For Diabolo Club
Diabolo Club is just one of the many exciting extracurricular activities our pupils enjoy.
We love making the most of the outdoors, especially in this beautiful weather! ๐
#wbsmiddle #ExtracurricularActivities
โค๏ธ Boarding at West Buckland School โ A Home from Home ๐กโจ
Whether you`re with us full-time, weekly, or just occasionally, boarding at WBS is all about care, connection, and growth.
In our warm and welcoming community, students thrive as they:
๐ Build independence and confidence
๐ค Form lifelong friendships
๐ Enjoy teacher-supported prep time
โฝ Access top sports facilities after hours
๐ Take part in exciting weekend adventures
We follow the highest standards set by the Boarding Schools` Association, ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and inspired.
๐ฌ โItโs not just where we live โ itโs where we grow.โ
๐ Discover more about life in our boarding family with the link in our bio.
#wbsprep #wbsmiddle #wbssixth #GoWayBeyond @bsaboarding #iloveboarding #WBSCommunity
๐ฐ Year 8 Take on Dunster! ๐น
History came alive this week as our Year 8 students stepped back in time at Dunster Castle! From Civil War tactics to castle life, they explored it all โ with hands-on learning, fascinating stories, and plenty of fun along the way.
A huge thank you to Dunster Castle and Watermill and Watermill for such an inspiring and immersive day! ๐
#wbsmiddle #WBSHistory #GoWayBeyond #historylovers #learninginaction #dunstercastle #DunsterCastle #LearningOutsideTheClassroom #HistoryInAction #Year8Adventures
๐ The South Westโs FIRST School Sustainability Festival! ๐ฟโจ
Weโre thrilled to announce that West Buckland School, in partnership with Plan-It Eco and 361 Energy, is hosting the WBS Sustainability Festival 2025 โ a groundbreaking two-day event on 26th & 27th June thatโs all about inspiring change and empowering young minds! The event includes:
๐น Inspiring talks from eco-leaders
๐น Workshops on climate action, conservation and biodiversity
๐น A vibrant community coming together for a greener future
๐๐ This is more than a festival โ itโs a movement. Discover more about the event and our sustainability journey here: https://westbuckland.com/sustainability/
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event: @easybathrooms @withypooltearoom @holidaycottages.co.uk @yeotown @amp_clean_energy
#wbssustainability #wbsprep #wbsmiddle #wbssixth #GoWayBeyond #EcoEducation #GreenFuture #ClimateAction #WestBucklandSchool #PlanItEco #361Energy #wbsOneAction
๐ Planning for the future!
Our Year 12 students recently had an amazing day at the Exeter University, getting a real taste of uni life. Through campus tours, lectures and workshops, they explored everything from choosing courses to degree apprenticeships.
The day was full of hands-on discovery. Students teamed up with leaders in innovation, enterprise, and neuroscience, took part in a real final-year research project, and connected with student ambassadors for peer to peer learning.
Huge thanks to @uniofexeter and InnoPlay for the inspiring experience!
#wbssixth #GoWayBeyond #FutureReady #careers #UniversityLife
๐ 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
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Mystery & Mayhem for a Good Cause!
Think youโve got what it takes to crack the case? ๐
Join us for a thrilling evening of suspense at "Who Shot The Sheriff?" โ our murder mystery night in support of North Devon Hospice.
๐
Friday 13th June
๐ 7:00 PM
๐๏ธ Tickets available now on the Parent Portal!
Get your detective hats on โ we canโt wait to see you there! ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐๏ธ
๐น Spotlight on River!
Weโre incredibly proud of River P. in Year 6, who dazzled the BBC Spotlight TV crew with a stunning performance on Monday.
๐บ Watch out for the feature on BBC Spotlight, it could air any evening from 6:30pm, starting today โ and will be available on BBC iPlayer for 24 hours after broadcast.
#wbsprep #wbsmusic #RiverOnBBC #bbcspolight #SupportYoungTalent #PianistInTheMaking @bbcdevon
๐ Huge Congratulations to Our Ten Tors Teams! ๐
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 bioโ
#wbsmiddle #wbssixth #GoWellBeyond #TenTors2025 #dartmoornationalpark #outdoorlearning #spiritofadventure
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.
