FAQs

Bedrooms can be one, two or three-person shared rooms, with a desk for homework and also sink and mirror within the room. There are also multiple bathrooms and showers, which are shared with other students in the corridor. On top of this, we have shared social areas and living spaces, kitchens and computer suites for all students to use during the evenings and outside of classroom hours.
Students in Years 12 and 13 usually have their own room, and if there are other single rooms available, other students get the chance to request them, but they are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

• A Level classes have a maximum of 14 students, with an average of 7 students.
• GCSE classes have a maximum of 22 students, with an average of 12 students.
• EAL classes have a maximum of 12 students, with an average of 4 students.

Ratcliffe College offers boarding from Year 6 (age 10) upwards.

Yes, your child can board on site during half-term. We understand the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for students during breaks, and our boarding facilities are open and available for those who wish to stay on campus, as opposed to travelling back home or staying elsewhere with a guardian. These stays apply to February, May and October Half Term only.

Students looking to apply to undertake A Levels with us and join our Sixth Form will be similarly tested in the subjects which they are choosing to study.

5.5 is required for Year 12 students coming to Ratcliffe College, any other year group can sit our own English assessment test.

Most international students tend to have pocket money transferred to them each term, this could vary greatly depending on the family. It’s a good idea to send the pocket money with fees to save bank transfer costs

Older students can open their own UK bank account and deal with their money themselves.

Uniform is another cost to take into consideration. Boarding staff can help to purchase this and can be put on the school bill if necessary.

Outside of the school fee, we recommend that parents consider an average amount of around £500-1000 extra per school year for each child.

This can vary from year to year depending on the type of trips and activities undertaken, sports chosen, uniform or kit required and also age of child.

No, there are no school lessons during public holidays (for example, Bank Holidays).
Day students do not come in to school. Boarders remain on site with the rest of the boarding community with staff and students. The day takes the same form as a weekend day, so activities, meals, homework, sports, leisure time is the same as if it were a Saturday or Sunday.

Our new, refurbished study library can be found in the central building on campus, minutes away from the boarders’ living quarters. Around the corner from our library is also our Harry Potter style refectory, where students will arrive for their daily meals and snacks. Our state-of-the-art fitness suite can be found next to the main building on our campus too, this is open for all boarding students to use during evenings and weekend as they wish.

Take a look around our campus facilities in our 360 Tour.

Here at Ratcliffe, our aim is to help your child strive in their chosen subjects, support and inform them to make the best possible decisions for their future and provide them the best possible experience to allow them to make a positive difference in their community, whatever passion they choose to follow. We are extremely proud of our Old Ratcliffian’s alumni group who help make these aims become a reality. We offer mentoring schemes, specialist talks and valuable work experience opportunities to help your child stand out in today’s competitive world.

Not only this, but our dedicated careers office and staff provide career and higher education fairs, application and writing workshops, mock interviews, apprenticeship support and personalised support sessions to develop key skills that are important for both universities and businesses.

International students can travel back home during the holidays and half term breaks if they wish. We do not have any exeat weekends either. This flexibility allows us to cater for the busy schedules of both child and parent.

We offer Half Term stays on campus for full time boarding students to stay with us during February, May or October Half Terms. This is a small additional cost. Activities programme, laundry and all meals included.

There are no lessons over the weekend, so students can take part in a wide range of clubs, activities and trips. School sports fixtures, Duke of Edinburgh trips and drama and music rehearsals often take place on weekends if your child takes part in any of these. In addition, our on-site boarding staff organise activities during week nights and weekends. Day trips take place over the weekend for all the boarding community – these range from local shopping trips, to city and cultural visits to London, York, Cambridge or Oxford. All transport is included and provided by the staff.

From the moment your child walks in and starts their boarding experience at Ratcliffe College, our staff will do everything they can to make your child feel at home. Our Boarding staff are there to support your child and always have the door open if they wish to talk about any problems they may have. All students are encouraged to interact with one another across all age groups and have multiple common rooms which both students and staff enjoy relaxing in, making that community, family feel even stronger.

We have a medical centre close to boarding with staff available 24 hours a day if any child feels unwell throughout the evening or night. All our full time boarding students are registered with The County Practice in Syston. A member of their team visits the School twice a week, but arrangements can be made to be taken to the surgery with a member of staff in between these visits if needed.

We can also arrange dental, optician, orthodontic and hospital appointments if needed.

Our professional catering team fully support the high quality of education by embracing the importance of nutrition and healthy eating for developing both the body and mind.

Tasty, nutritious menus are made daily from fresh ingredients of the best quality from local markets and suppliers, whilst conforming to government legislation.

Visit our Fees page for more information.