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Earlscliffe

United Kingdom, Folkestone

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £38,850 - 56,850
Ages 8 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 150
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2012
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish
Typical class size 7
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Earlscliffe is a small independent boarding school in Folkestone, welcoming around 150 students aged 8 to 18. It offers a British curriculum with A‑levels over two years, plus a GCSE programme, a Diploma in Business and Management, a Pre‑A‑Level course and a BTEC Sport qualification. Most students study four A‑level subjects, with English for Academic Purposes embedded in every lesson and IELTS available if required. The school provides English Language Centre of Excellence support and 1:1 UCAS counselling. Classes are small, around seven students per group, with nine lessons per main subject weekly and a Test, Rank and Coach progress framework. Boarding comprises six houses with dedicated pastoral care, a nurse, and on‑site dining. The school is UNESCO‑associated and runs specialist Academies in Creative Arts, Business and Basketball, along with a Football Academy in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur. Extracurriculars include Model United Nations, volunteering, and leadership programmes for our students.

29 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, CT20 2NB, United Kingdom

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Earlscliffe has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 7, instruction in English.

Location
Earlscliffe is located in Folkestone on the South East coast of England, overlooking the English Channel. It sits in Folkestone's West End, a short walk from the sea and The Leas promenade. High-speed trains from Folkestone Central railway station reach London in 54 minutes, and Folkestone sits beside the Channel Tunnel with fast links to continental Europe and easy access to major international airports.

Stages
Two-year A-level programme (UK Years 12 and 13). An International Transition Year (ITY) is available for international students aged 15+, to complete a 3-year A-level pathway or to study a single year as preparation.

Type
Independent Sixth Form; full boarding community.

Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 30 countries represented.

School day structure
The day begins at 08:30 with registration and includes teaching blocks with breaks, continuing through the day; an evening study period runs from 19:00 to 21:00; boarding staff supervise evenings and support wellbeing and study.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Earlscliffe ranges from GBP 38,850 to GBP 56,850 for 2026/27.

Application and initial registration fees
- Registration fee (payable once on application): GBP 430.
- Deposit (payable once on application; refundable less any costs when the student completes their studies; balance returned on request within one term of completion): boarding students GBP 3,400; day students GBP 1,000.
- CAS administration and issue (for visa nationals, payable once): GBP 320.

Tuition and main course fees (per term and annual totals)
- Boarding student – GBP 18,950 per term (equivalent to GBP 56,850 per academic year, three terms). Boarding fees include tuition, accommodation and meals.
- Weekday boarding student – GBP 17,330 per term (equivalent to GBP 51,990 per academic year).
- Day student – GBP 12,950 per term (equivalent to GBP 38,850 per academic year). Day fees include tuition and lunch.
- Standard courses covered by these fees include A‑levels (three subjects), GCSEs (five subjects), Pre‑A‑level and the Diploma in Business and Management.

Additional and optional fees
- Single room supplement (payable year in advance) – GBP 2,085 per term (note: payable in advance as stated). Annual equivalent (three terms) GBP 6,255.
- Additional A‑level subject – GBP 2,900 per term (GBP 8,700 per year).
- Additional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) – GBP 1,125 per term (required until the stated language level is attained). Annual equivalent GBP 3,375.
- Practical fees for Sciences / Art / Photography – shown as GBP 485 per term; the schedule also notes figures for two/three subjects (parenthetical amounts GBP 640 / GBP 820).
- Individual tuition (private/supplementary) – GBP 92 per hour.
- Annual public examination centre administration fee – GBP 300 per year. Public examination board entry fees (EAP, A‑level units, GCSEs, Diploma in Business and IELTS entries) should not exceed GBP 1,300.
- Gym membership – GBP 72 per term (GBP 216 per year).
- Half Term residential (where available; English lessons optional at additional fee) – GBP 800 per break. Accommodation at half term is chargeable.
- Compulsory sports kit for Level 3 Sports (minimum items listed) – from GBP 100.
- Miscellaneous invoice items (charged termly where applicable): school‑arranged transfers (on request), optional ties GBP 27, additional school pins GBP 16.50, replacement lanyards/fobs GBP 10 each, academic supplies and any agreed cash advances. Annual textbook costs are stated not to exceed GBP 350.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- On application: registration fee and deposit are payable.
- Term 1 (September–December) fees are due on 30 June. Terms 2 and 3 fees are due five working days prior to the first day of each term.
- Invoices for sundry items (transfers, activities, optional items) are issued termly.
- If a visa is required, it is recommended to request a full year's fees invoice and pay in full to avoid providing bank statement evidence for the visa application.

Payment methods and bank details
- Cash is not accepted. Overseas payments can be made via the school's payment portal (Flywire); a Flywire link is provided on the invoice. GBP bank transfers are accepted to the school's HSBC account (account details are provided on invoices). Parents/sponsors must ensure that all transfer charges are paid so the school receives the full invoiced amount and that the student name and/or invoice number is clearly marked on the transfer. For queries, contact the school finance email.

Boarding-specific notes
- Boarding fees are charged per term and include tuition, accommodation and meals. There is no accommodation available during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Residential stays during school holidays can be arranged separately through partner programmes. Accommodation during Half Term is available but chargeable.

Refunds and deposit handling
- The deposit is refundable less any outstanding costs when the student completes their studies; any remaining balance will be returned to the original account on request. The reconciliation and return process can take up to one term to be completed.

Other practical points for budgeting
- Expect additional possible costs for: extra subjects, EAP tuition until the required level is reached, private tuition, practical subject fees, examination entries, gym membership, half‑term residential charges, sports kit and optional uniform items. Public examination board entry fees and annual textbook costs are capped in the schedule (see above).
Academics

Earlscliffe teaches British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 8 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers A-levels over two years (Years 12 and 13). Students typically study four A-level subjects, including their native language where possible, with the option to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). English for Academic Purposes is embedded in every lesson, and non-native speakers can complete IELTS if required. A one-year GCSE programme, a Diploma in Business & Management, a Pre-A-Level course, and a BTEC Sport qualification are also available. English language support is provided by the English Language Centre of Excellence, and UCAS university counselling is provided on a 1:1 basis. Nine lessons per main subject per week are standard for A-levels, and small class sizes support personalised teaching.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is seven students.

Exam Results
In 2025, 108 entries were made across A-level and equivalent qualifications, with 55% of all grades awarded at A/B. GCSE results in 2025 showed 29% of grades at 9–7 (A/A) and 69% at 9–4 (A/C).

Higher Education Progression
Most students progress to top universities in the UK or abroad. UCAS guidance is provided on an individual basis, with mock interviews and personal statement coaching. The Careers Institute uses Unifrog to support university applications and collaborates with partner organisations for pathways to competitive degrees.

Gifted and Talented
Academic enrichment includes high-value micro-credentials such as Sustainable Futures, Mini-MBA, AI, Digital Strategy & Media Literacy; the EPQ is highly regarded by UK universities and supports strong undergraduate applications. Academic societies provide access to external lectures and events, and Earlscliffe participates in UNESCO Model United Nations.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Applications can be submitted all year round directly or through an agent. After an enquiry is received, Earlscliffe contacts the family to discuss plans, provide information, and collect documentation to support the application. An entrance test is provided and a student interview is arranged, which can be conducted online or in person.

2. Applicants must submit the required documents: the application form, the student's passport, birth certificate, school reports in English, English language certificates (e.g., IELTS if held), any existing visa or proof of right to study, and the student's chosen subjects. The admissions team reviews these materials to determine eligibility and whether an offer can be made. An entrance test and interview are part of this stage.

3. If the above documents are satisfactory, a decision is made on whether to offer a place. An offer letter is issued together with two invoices: one for the registration fee and deposit to secure the place, and a second for the first term's fees. Fees details are published and reviewed annually. Payment of fees triggers the visa process, and settlement of fees is required prior to attendance.

4. With the acceptance letter, further documentation is requested before arrival, including guardianship information, medical forms, parental consent letter, student questionnaires, consent forms, travel forms, and travel insurance for non-sponsored students. Earlscliffe communicates with families in the weeks and months before arrival.

5. Passports and visas: Earlscliffe collects passports on arrival and at the start of each term to check and copy for immigration records, and stores them securely unless requested otherwise. A guardian must be appointed for parents who do not live permanently in the UK. Where guardianship is involved, arrangements should meet UKVI guidance and may be required as part of the visa application. If a student does not hold a British or Irish passport, a visa or ETA may be required depending on age and planned length of stay.

6. Guardianship: The guardian must be a British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain, must not be a full-time student, must be over 25, must live in the UK, and ideally be within a two-hour drive of the school. Guardianship arrangements are required for admission and continuity of care while in the UK.

7. Arrival and orientation: New students should arrive between 08:00 and 16:00 and be greeted by a member of the admissions team. Travel information forms should be completed in advance, and a responsible adult should accompany the student on arrival. Ongoing communications and orientation activities are provided in the weeks leading up to arrival.

Scholarships
Earlscliffe offers a limited number of academic scholarships. The scholarship programme is based on a student's intended undergraduate studies and/or career objectives. Scholarships and bursaries are discretionary privileges and are subject to high standards of attendance, diligence and behaviour. The admissions team is available to discuss scholarship requirements with applicants. For those considering scholarships, there is guidance provided as part of the admissions process.
School Events
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