Concord College

A welcome from the Principal, Dr Michael Truss:

“Concord College is a very exciting place to be a young person. The beauty and tranquility of its stunning campus in the English countryside provide a perfect backdrop for an international community of like-minded people to study and to grow. Our community shares a culture of excellence and joyful learning infused throughout with the rigour, kindness and creativity that are expressed in our aims and reflected in our efforts every single day.

“Our academic standards are unashamedly high: Concord students love to learn and are ambitious for their futures. Here they are able to pursue their dreams in a safe, calm and supportive place where ideas can be shared and where inquisitiveness and independence of thought are celebrated. Our students’ hard work is rewarded with outstanding GCSE and A Level results, and Concord is annually ranked very highly in UK school league tables. More importantly, however, Concordians go on from here equipped to thrive at the best universities in the UK and around the world.

“Excellent results give our students the ability to continue to access the very best opportunities when they move on to the next stage of their lives, but results alone are not what sets Concord apart. Concordians live and learn in a diverse, vibrant and truly international community supported by outstanding academic and pastoral staff. They have daily opportunities through our extensive co-curricular, sporting, arts, social and cultural programmes to develop hugely important skills in communication, teamwork and social responsibility. The result of this is that Concordians are overwhelmingly confident, empathetic, respectful and tolerant. Most importantly of all, it means they are happy: you will find many smiling faces here.

“Children make friends for life at Concord and join a very active and mutually supportive global community of alumni that stretches across generations: they are Concordians for life. I am delighted to welcome you to Concord. Please do come and visit, talk to our inspirational students and get a feel for the wonderful, creative and uniquely joyful place this is.”

Michael Truss

A little more information:

Concord students come from around the world, 37 nationalities are represented in our current student body and no single nationality forms a majority of students. Most students (over 80%) are boarders but day students are fully integrated into the life of the college and enjoy making life-long international friendships.

Academically, the results speak for themselves. Not only do Concord students produce astonishing GCSE and A level performances, but they also go on to attend top universities in the UK and around the world. In 2023 90% of GCSE and ICGSE grades were 7-9 and 55% were grade 9. At A Level 90 students achieved AAA or better and 33 achieved A*A*A* or higher. Our leavers head to top universities in the UK and around the world. This year 12 students went on to Oxford and Cambridge for courses of study including Medicine, Engineering, Architecture and Law. Students also went on to Imperial College, UCL, LSE in London and to Manchester, Warwick, Durham, Bristol and Cardiff among others around the UK. In all over 100 students went on to World Top 100 universities and international destinations included Cornell, UC San Diego, Chicago, Monash, Ann Arbor Michigan, HKUST, Melbourne, The University of Hong Kong and Toronto.

A comprehensive enrichment programme at Concord enables students to try new things. It aims to help and encourage students to live a healthy, fulfilling, and safe lifestyle. It encompasses super-curricular opportunities in science, engineering and medicine for example, sports, both competitive and recreational; outdoor activities; arts and crafts provision as well as a host of student-led societies. There is a well-resourced theatre and music school, an excellent sports centre and indoor swimming pool as well as extensive grounds including sports pitches, tennis courts and a high ropes course.

All students have individual study-bedrooms, some with en-suite bathrooms. Meals are eaten in the College Dining Room where students can select from a variety of international cuisine. The wide range of facilities also includes common rooms and a student kitchen.

All students have Tutors who have oversight of their pastoral wellbeing (as well as monitoring their academic progress). Boarding students also have boarding parents who focus on providing boarders with the emotional and practical support they need when they are away from home. Concord also offers support to students via Heads of Year in the Lower School and via our House system in the Upper School. Medical provision is available 24 hours-a-day, there is a modern and well-equipped medical centre and a dedicated nursing team. Mental health is taken very seriously, and support and counselling are available. The campus is secure and security staff are on duty at all times.