Dauntsey’s is a leading co-educational boarding and day school for 11 to 18-year-olds, set within a beautiful 150-acre estate in the Wiltshire countryside.
Academic success lies at the heart of a Dauntsey’s education, but the School's ethos extends far beyond examination results. It is a place where every pupil is encouraged to be themselves, where friendship, kindness and community are highly valued, and where young people are inspired to make the most of their talents and abilities.
Dauntsey’s promises an adventurous education: one that develops character, builds resilience and instils invaluable life skills. This spirit of adventure extends into the classroom, where inspirational teaching challenges and supports pupils to achieve their potential. As a result, pupils leave Dauntsey’s with the skills, confidence and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Address:
High St, West Lavington, Devizes SN10 4HE, UK
Tel:
01380814500
Contact:
School Details
School Type:
Co-educational Day & Boarding School
No. of Pupils:
830
Pupil Prep:
No. of Boarders:
275
No. of International Boarders:
Religious Tradition:
Christian
Age Range:
11 to 18
School Stages:
Senior/Secondary, Sixth Form/College
Educational Programmes:
A Level, GCSE, BTEC, EPQ, iGCSE
Co-Curricular Programmes:
Art, Sports, Adventure, Climbing, Cookery, Camping, Orienteering, Performing Arts
Co-Curricular Summary:
Over 80 different clubs and activities that pupils engage with every day.
Text in the blue box:
Dauntsey's School
Dauntsey's is committed to supporting military families and has a long and proud tradition of educating the children of serving members of the UK Armed Forces. We understand the unique opportunities and challenges that Service life can bring and provide a supportive, welcoming environment where pupils quickly feel at home, build lasting friendships and thrive both academically and personally. Our recognition by the Boarding Schools' Association as the winner of the Supporting Junior Boarders Award in 2026 was a particularly proud achievement and reflects our commitment to outstanding pastoral care.
We aim to be a school where everyone can be themselves, where friendship and kindness matter, and where every pupil is encouraged to make the most of their talents and abilities.
Central to this ambition is our approach to adventure. At Dauntsey's, adventure is not simply an activity or event; it is a transformative experience that develops confidence and character resilience, while teaching invaluable life skills. This same spirit of adventure extends into the classroom, where inspirational teaching challenges and nurtures each pupil's learning.
Academic success is central to our purpose, and we are proud of the strong GCSE and A Level results achieved each year. However, it is what our pupils go on to accomplish beyond Dauntsey's that makes us particularly proud. More than 90% of pupils typically secure places at their first-choice university, while others pursue prestigious apprenticeships with organisations including IBM, Jaguar Land Rover and Dyson. We are also proud of our consistent success in supporting pupils who achieve Army Scholarships.
For families in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), the parental contribution for boarding pupils is reduced to 10% of the school's boarding fee. This arrangement is available to serving members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for and in receipt of CEA and applies to boarding places only.
Listen to our Podcast - The Dauntsey's Pulse Podcast, a platform for staff, pupils, and the wider Dauntsey’s family to share their perspectives on key issues at the heart of education and school life.
Episodes are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and new episodes are released on a regular basis.
Boarding
For many military families, Dauntsey's provides an important sense of continuity and belonging. Every boarder becomes part of one of our five houses, creating a strong sense of belonging from the moment they arrive. In the Lower School, houses are co-educational, while in the Upper School they are single sex, providing an environment where pupils feel supported, valued and at home.
Each house is led by a Housemaster or Housemistress, supported by a dedicated team of tutors who take a close interest in every pupil's academic progress, wellbeing and personal development. Together, they create a genuine home-from-home where pupils are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and lasting friendships.
As a school with boarding at its heart, life extends far beyond the classroom. Academic study is balanced with an extensive programme of co-curricular opportunities, helping pupils discover new interests, pursue existing passions and make the most of every day. Weekends are a particular highlight, with a varied programme of social events, activities and trips, from barbecue evenings and quiz nights to theatre visits, outdoor adventures and excursions further afield.