United Kingdom · Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · Founded 1853
Cheltenham Ladies' College
A pioneer of women's education, a choice of A-levels or IB and a town-centre campus that gives sixth-formers real freedom.
The character
CLC is large, purposeful and progressive in the old sense: girls are expected to lead, the science and music are outstanding and the sixth form has a university feel. Boarding houses are scattered through the Regency town, which makes the school less enclosed than Wycombe and more grown-up.
Good for
Independent girls, the IB, families who want a town rather than a park
Less suited to
Girls who want a tight campus, sport-first families
Getting in
Entry at 11, 13 and 16 with assessments and interviews; register at least a year ahead.
What it costs in total
At about £ 55,000 a year for boarding (£ 36,000 for day pupils), the 5 years from 13 to 18 add up to roughly €364,000 in today’s money including typical extras, before fee increases, tutoring and flights. The Education Cost Calculator adds inflation, extras and a second child.
Fees are rounded 2025/26 figures from the school’s own schedule and change every year. The school’s current fee sheet prevails. The picture is an impression of the setting, not a photograph of the campus.
Schools like this
