- Location
- Bishop's Stortford
- Age range
- 3–18
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
About Bishop's Stortford College
Schoolscout directory record ·
Bishop's Stortford College offers a vibrant and nurturing environment where academic excellence is matched by a commitment to personal development. With a...
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
Bishop's Stortford College was founded in 1868 by the East of England Nonconformist Schools Association — a coalition of Congregational, Baptist and other Nonconformist families and clergy who wanted to provide their sons with a Christian boarding education comparable to the great Anglican public schools but outside the religious test that those schools then imposed. The school took the name of the Hertfordshire market town in which it was established and remains on its founding 130-acre campus on the edge of Bishop's Stortford. It is now Christian non-denominational (rather than specifically Nonconformist), co-educational, and operates as an "all-through" school for ages 4-18 across the Pre-Prep, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form.
The College is a member of the HMC, the BSA, IAPS and ISI, and operates around 1,300 pupils. It is one of the founding members of the Bishop's Stortford Education Charity, a local educational trust. The College Head since 2022 is John Maguire, previously Headmaster of Tonbridge School's prep, and the Chair of Governors is GE Baker.
The school's sporting traditions are particularly strong: a long rivalry in rugby union with Bedford School, Felsted, Haileybury, Eton, Harrow, Hampton, Kimbolton, Merchant Taylors', Oakham, Oundle, St Albans, Stowe and Stamford, and a rowing programme based on the school's own boathouse on the River Great Ouse (sic — rowing fixtures are usually on the Cam and Lee for local competitions). The school maintains extensive sporting facilities, including rugby and cricket pitches, tennis courts and a sports hall.
Notable past masters of the school include Brendan Bracken, 1st Viscount Bracken, the publisher and politician who served as Churchill's wartime Minister of Information and later First Lord of the Admiralty (1945); Herbert Sumsion, the influential Gloucester Cathedral organist (Director of Music at the College, 1924-26); and the Royal Academy painter Percy Horton. The school operates a substantial bursary programme via the Old Stortfordian Society and the Bishop's Stortford Education Charity.
Additional source record ·
Join us on Tuesday 16 June from 5pm - 9pm for our Boarding Open Evening. Meeting our existing boarders, tour our beautiful campus and exceptional boarding facilities, meet our boarding and admissions staff, and discover Bishop's Stortford College, the Modern Face of Independent Education.
Get in touch Bishop’s Stortford College School House Maze Green Road Bishop's Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 2PQ
"Bishop’s Stortford College is a wonderful place of learning – a place large enough to provide an outstanding range of opportunities for developing well-rounded, skilful and happy young people, yet small enough for each individual to be known and nurtured."
School life and highlights in the catalogue
- Founded 1868 by the East of England Nonconformist Schools Association
- Co-educational ages 4-18 on a 130-acre rural campus on the edge of Bishop's Stortford
- All-through school: Pre-Prep + Prep + Senior + Sixth Form
- ≈1,300 pupils across all sections
- HMC and IAPS member
- Founding member of the Bishop's Stortford Education Charity
- Day and boarding
- Notable past masters include the future First Lord of the Admiralty Brendan Bracken and Gloucester Cathedral organist Herbert Sumsion
- 1,245-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Christian foundation
- A-Level A*-B*: 33% achieve AAB+
Education and school life
- Education levels
- Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth Form
- Age range
- 3–18
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
- Pupil intake
- Co-educational
- School type
- Mainstream
- Religious ethos
- Christian
- Listed inspectorate
- ISI
Subjects and qualifications
- Cricket and rowing
- Music (Herbert Sumsion — Gloucester Cathedral organist — was a master)
- Modern languages
- Sciences
- Drama
- Outdoor education
Listed memberships and accreditations
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
Progression and destinations in the catalogue
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group
- US universities
- Conservatoires
Alumni notes
- Numerous Old Stortfordians active in UK media, finance and the armed forces
- Multiple Royal Naval and RAF officers
Supporting school records
These dated records may contain different information. Ask our team about current details.
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
- Headteacher / principal
- John Maguire (College Head)
- Founded
- 1868
- Religious ethos
- Christian (non-denominational; originally Nonconformist)
- Campus setting
- Rural
- Scholarships / bursaries
- Options indicated; confirm availability and eligibility.
Additional source record ·
- Campus setting
- Urban
Pupil information
- Total pupils
- 1,245
- Boys
- 659 · 52.93%
- Girls
- 586 · 47.07%
- Pupils receiving SEN support
- 187 · 15.02%
- Pupils with an EHCP
- 6 · 0.48%
Counts and percentages are reproduced from the directory. SEN means special educational needs; EHCP means Education, Health and Care Plan. A pupil census year is not supplied.
A-Level results
- Results year
- 2025
- Progress score
- 0.10 (Average)
- Average grade
- B+
- AAB percentage
- 33.30%
Results refer to the year shown. The directory does not provide a cohort size or a full methodology for these measures.
Tuition and costs
The fee year is not specified. Ask our team about current fees, VAT and included services.
Schoolscout directory record ·
| Attendance | GBP · Period and VAT unverified |
|---|---|
| Day | £4,812 – £9,861.6 |
| Boarding | £15,966 – £17,365.2 |
Current fees and VAT treatment require confirmation from the school. Directory labels are not a verified school quotation.
Check whether boarding, meals, registration, deposits, examinations, trips and guardian arrangements are included. Amounts are in pounds sterling (GBP), without currency conversion.
Ask about current feesPlanning your application
Talk to the UniCampus team about entry points, available places, assessments, language requirements and application dates. Admission arrangements vary by age and year group.
Read the directory’s school and admissions questions below.
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Explore MEC guidanceQuestions in the school directory
Schoolscout directory record ·
What type of school is Bishop's Stortford College?
Bishop's Stortford College is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located near Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire. The school offers education from Nursery through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to Bishop's Stortford College?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
Most families apply to Bishop's Stortford College 1–2 years before entry, with a process that can include tests, interviews and school reports. See the private school admissions timeline for when to apply and what to expect.
What are the fees at Bishop's Stortford College?
Historical directory text below. Its fees, billing period and VAT have not been verified with the school.
The cost of attending Bishop's Stortford College typically ranges around £4,812–£17,365 per term, with variations based on age and boarding.
Is Bishop's Stortford College a day or boarding school?
Bishop's Stortford College offers day and boarding options. Where boarding is available, this may include full, weekly or flexi arrangements.
Is Bishop's Stortford College selective?
Entry to Bishop's Stortford College is based on overall fit and, where relevant, academic assessment.
School location and enquiries
- Street address
- School House, Maze Green Road
- Town / locality
- Bishop's Stortford
- County
- Hertfordshire
- Region
- East of England
- Postcode
- CM23 2PQ
- Country
- United Kingdom
Talk to our team about this school, current fees and your application.
Enquire about this schoolView the school locationSchool House, Maze Green Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, East of England, CM23 2PQSchoolscout directory record ·
Supplementary catalogue notes ·
Additional source record ·
Collection and catalogue update dates are shown above; they are not fee years or pupil census dates. Source text is retained in its original language. The school’s official information takes precedence for current admissions, programmes and fees.
Photo credits
Source: Wikipedia
- bishops-stortford-college.jpg: CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons