Military Families

Here at West Buckland School, we provide dedicated support to British Military families throughout every aspect of school life, from Nursery to Year 13. Our focus on exceptional pastoral care ensures that all students and their families experience a sense of stability and security within our close-knit community. We offer full boarding from Year 7, and weekly boarding from Year 4.

HM FORCES DISCOUNT

Since our inception in 1858, West Buckland School has had a close association with families from the Forces.

We welcome full boarders who receive the Forces’ Boarding Schools Allowance – Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

In addition, we offer a 10% discount to ALL children of Forces families, including those in the Reserves.

For more information on what we offer to our Forces families, please contact our Admissions team 

CCF and Outdoor Leadership

Located on a 90-acre campus between Exmoor National Park and the Atlantic coast, we offer robust outdoor leadership programmes. With our CCF programme and outdoor leadership opportunities, students dive into exciting challenges. From conservation efforts with the John Muir Awards to testing endurance in the Ten Tors challenge and embracing adventure through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, there’s something for everyone.

 

Academic Support

Our Tutor and Head of House system, combined with our innovative learning environment provides a personalised support structure for each child, to ensure they are academically supported, as well as pastorally.  With surface devices for learning, supervised Prep time in the evening, and a supportive team of teachers, pastoral care and boarding staff, you can be sure your child is fully supported at West Buckland School.

Academics are complemented with over 70 extra-curricular activities to choose from, providing a balanced and rounded approach to education, and giving students opportunities to experience many different activities, from Creative Arts of drama, art, music, dance, DT, to engineering (and racing) with the Greenpower Car Club, Chess Clubs, Gardening Club, E-Sports and so much more.

Pastoral support for positive Mental Wellbeing

We know the importance of providing a safe, nurturing environment for all our students, and particularly for our Military family children – we recognise that they too are ‘serving’. We provide the close community of supportive friends and support that they need.  We keep them busy with sushi-making, cookie baking, pizza nights, movie nights – even a sleepover with friends for one boy recently, to celebrate his birthday.

We ask parents to inform us prior to a posting, so we can provide any additional support your child may need in the lead up to the posting, as well as afterwards.  Recognising these times of transition enables the Pastoral and Boarding teams to fully support each child in the run-up to, and during times of transition.

We do not have Exeat weekends, so there is minimal disruption to your child during the term times and they have that consistency of experience and place, both during the week and the weekends.