Whitgift School is a notable name for families weighing the international schools in London who want the International Baccalaureate within the British independent system. Founded in 1596 by Archbishop John Whitgift and set in 45 acres of parkland in South Croydon, it teaches boys from 10 to 18 and has offered the IB Diploma alongside A Levels since 2005, building one of the best IB records of any boys' school in the country. For globally mobile families who value the IB's breadth and its worldwide university recognition, it is one of the schools we cover among the IB schools in London.
Whitgift School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum to GCSE; IB Diploma or A Levels in the sixth form |
|---|---|
| Stages | Age 10 to 18 (boys) |
| Founded | 1596 (opened 1600) |
| Accreditation | IB World School; independent school inspected by ISI; member of HMC |
| Type | Selective independent day and boarding school for boys |
| Fee band | Premium; day fees below the most expensive central London schools, boarding higher |
| Campus area | 45 acre parkland campus, South Croydon |
Curriculum and academics
Whitgift teaches the British curriculum through GCSE, then opens a choice in the sixth form between A Levels and the IB Diploma, which it has offered since 2005. It is academically selective and consistently strong across both pathways, ranking among the leading boys' schools in the country for the IB and placing many leavers at the most competitive universities in the United Kingdom and overseas. The breadth of the IB suits pupils who want to keep sciences, humanities and a language together to 18, while A Levels remain for those who prefer to specialise.
For internationally mobile families, the appeal is having the IB available inside a long established British school, with all the co-curricular depth that brings. The campus supports an unusually wide programme in sport, music, drama and the arts, and the school is well known for its facilities. Both the IB Diploma and A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide, so whichever route a pupil takes, the qualification travels if the family later relocates.
Compare Whitgift with other London IB schools
Put up to three schools side by side on curriculum, fees and location before you shortlist.
Whitgift School fees
Whitgift School fees sit in the premium independent band, though as a Croydon school its day tuition tends to come in below the most expensive central London names tracked in our guide to international school fees in London. The January 2025 introduction of VAT on private school fees lifted headline tuition across the sector. Weekly and full boarding cost more than day places, reflecting the additional provision. The school publishes its current termly and annual fees, which is the figure to plan around.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a registration fee when applying, a deposit to accept a place, and the usual extras for trips, examinations, lunches and activities. Means tested bursaries are available, reflecting the school's charitable foundation, and there are scholarships at the main entry points. To bring tuition and the additional costs into one annual figure, use our fee calculator and confirm the current published fees with the admissions office.
Admissions
Entry to Whitgift is academically selective and runs to fixed annual points rather than rolling admissions. The principal entry points are at 10, 11 and 13, with a further intake into the sixth form at 16 conditional on GCSE results and, for IB applicants, the right subject profile. Candidates sit entrance assessments and attend interview, and sixth form entry depends on meeting GCSE grade requirements.
Registration deadlines fall well ahead of the assessment dates, so international families should check the timetable early, as places are competitive. The admissions office can advise relocating families on the relevant entry point for a child's age, on choosing between the IB and A Levels at 16, and on the documents required. It is worth making contact in good time before the intended start.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies a 45 acre parkland campus in South Croydon, in south London, with extensive grounds, sports facilities and its own museum. Croydon is well connected by rail, with fast services into central London and south to Gatwick, which makes the school reachable for families across south London and the surrounding commuter towns. The green, spacious setting is a contrast to the tighter footprints of many central London schools.
Because it is a selective British day and boarding school rather than an expatriate international one, its pupils are predominantly British, though it draws international and dual nationality families, particularly those attracted by the IB option and the boarding provision. For how Croydon and south London compare with the neighbourhoods favoured by expatriate communities, the London city hub sets out the wider map, and our roundup of the best IB schools in London shows where Whitgift sits among the alternatives.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Whitgift School fees?
Whitgift sits in the premium independent band, though its Croydon day fees tend to come in below the most expensive central London schools. Weekly and full boarding cost more. The school publishes current termly fees, and there are registration and deposit costs on top, with bursaries available.
Does Whitgift School offer the IB?
Yes. Whitgift has offered the IB Diploma in the sixth form as an alternative to A Levels since 2005, and is among the strongest boys' schools in the country for IB results. Sixth formers choose between the two pathways.
Is Whitgift School a good school?
It is a long established, academically selective school with a strong record at both A Level and the IB Diploma and an extensive co-curricular programme. We do not assign a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its curriculum and entry rather than score it.
When do Whitgift School applications open?
Entry runs to fixed points, principally at 10, 11 and 13, with a sixth form intake at 16. Registration deadlines fall well ahead of the entrance assessments, so families should check the timetable early.
Where is Whitgift School?
It occupies a 45 acre parkland campus in South Croydon, in south London, well connected by rail to central London and to Gatwick.
