Secondary Schools in Cheltenham

Last Updated: 29/09/2026

Cheltenham is known for its large variety of excellent schools and education opportunities. Not only do residents have the pick of great state schools at both primary and secondary levels, but Cheltenham is also home to several prestigious independent schools.

Here is a list of the secondary schools in Cheltenham and where they are located which could be useful for those looking to move to the area.

Cheltenham Ladies' College is a private boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18.

Established in 1853, the school has been consistently ranked as one of the top all-girls schools nationally. In 2020, it was named Southwest Independent School of the Decade by The Times and The Sunday Times.

The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum that strongly focuses on the sciences, humanities, and the arts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and debating.

Cheltenham Ladies' College is highly selective, with fierce competition for places. However, the school is committed to providing a high-quality education for all its students, regardless of their background.

The school's motto is "Cœlesti Luce Crescat," which means "May she grow in Heavenly light." This motto reflects the school's mission to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where girls can thrive academically, personally, and spiritually.

Pate's Grammar School is a co-educational academy in Cheltenham that was founded in 1574 with a fund bestowed to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, by Richard Pate.

The school became co-educational in 1986 when Pate's Grammar School for Girls merged with Cheltenham Grammar School.

Pate's has a long and distinguished history and is consistently ranked as one of the top state schools in the country. It has been awarded 'State Secondary School of the Year' twice by The Sunday Times in their Good Schools Guide, in 2012 and 2020. In 2013, the school was given an Outstanding judgement by Ofsted.

The school offers various academic and extracurricular activities, and its students have consistently achieved excellent results in national examinations. Pate's is a vibrant and welcoming community, and its students are encouraged to reach their full potential.

Dean Close School is a co-educational independent school divided into three sections: pre-prep, preparatory, and senior schools.

The pre-prep school is for children aged 3-7, the preparatory school is for children aged 7-13, and the senior school is for children aged 13-18.

The school is located on three separate but adjacent sites outside Cheltenham town centre, occupying the largest private land area in the town. The school has a strong boarding community, with approximately half of the pupils boarding.

Dean Close is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), which is a group of leading independent schools in the UK. The school has a strong academic reputation, and its pupils have consistently achieved excellent results in national examinations.

In addition to its academic offerings, Dean Close also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and debating.

Cheltenham College is a private boarding and day school for pupils aged 13–18.

The school was founded in 1841 as a Church of England foundation and is known for its outstanding classical, military, and sporting traditions.

The school consists of a preparatory school and senior school and educates students from ages 3 to 18. The boarding programme is also available to preparatory school students.

The school offers a wide range of academic courses, including GCSEs, IGCSEs, and A Levels. Sixth Form students generally choose two routes of study; either three A Levels and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or four A Levels. A small minority of students are allowed to study four A Levels and an EPQ.

In addition to its academic offerings, Cheltenham College also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and debating. The school also has a strong focus on character development, and its pupils are encouraged to be independent, confident, and compassionate.

Balcarras School is an academy school for 11- to 18-year-olds located in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Also, the school was founded in 1972 and has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted in each of its last four inspections.

The school is led by Headteacher Dominic Burke, who has been in post since 2016. Burke is a passionate advocate for education and is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Balcarras School has a strong academic reputation and its students consistently achieve excellent results in national examinations. In 2020, the school was named Sunday Times State School of the Decade.

St Edward's School is a co-educational, independent Roman Catholic school. The school was founded in 1862 and is located in the heart of Cheltenham.

The majority of pupils come to the school from the associated St Edward's Preparatory School. However, a significant number of pupils also come from schools across the county each year. St Edward's is Cheltenham's only independent day school.

The school offers a broad and challenging academic curriculum, with a strong focus on the sciences, humanities, and the arts. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and debating.

Cheltenham Bournside School is a large coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status. The school was founded in 1972 and is the largest school in Gloucestershire.

The school was originally set up as Gloucester Road Elementary School for 300 students of all ages, with separate schools for girls, boys, and infants. In 1972, the three schools merged to form Cheltenham Bournside School.

The school is situated in the southwest of Cheltenham, in the Warden Hill area, with a large campus, extensive grounds and many facilities. The school also has a robust house system, which helps to create a sense of community among the students.

Cheltenham Bournside School offers a wide range of academic courses, including GCSEs, A Levels, and BTECs.

The school is committed to providing a high-quality education for all of its students. The school's motto is "Empowering Lives Through Learning," and the school strives to create a learning environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and socially.

All Saints' Academy is a Christian church school founded in 2011 as a merger between Kingsmead School and Christ College and is jointly run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton and the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester.

The school is located on the site of the former Kingsmead School, which was built in 1959.Constructed in 2010, the new school building cost approximately £25 million. With a capacity for 1,150 students aged 11-18, the school specialises in science and sport.

The school has a strong focus on Christian values, and its students are encouraged to be active members of the local community. The school is committed to providing a high-quality education for all of its students. The school's motto is "Learning for Life."

In May 2010, an Anglo-Saxon settlement was discovered on the site of the new school building. The settlement dates back to the 7th century and is one of the most important archaeological finds in the area in recent years.

Gloucestershire College (GC or Gloscol) is a large college of further and higher education with three campuses in Cheltenham, Gloucester, and the Forest of Dean. The Employer Training & Apprenticeships team is based at the Gloucester Campus.

The Cheltenham campus is home to many facilities, including the Cheltenham Fashion Academy, the commercial Number One Restaurant and Graduations at Cheltenham Spa salon, a coffee shop, nursery, library, construction and building services workshops, and the international student hub.

Courses available in Cheltenham include accounting, apprenticeships, art and design, business, catering and hospitality, counselling, ESOL, EFL and CELTA, fashion, hairdressing and beauty, health and social care, early years, languages, and teacher training.

The information provided is correct at the time of the latest update and is not an exhaustive list of all secondary schools in the area. You must contact these schools directly as they may not always have the capacity to accept new students.

For more information on the area, you can visit our expansive Cheltenham Area Guide where we have other useful information on the local area such as dentists, hospitals, primary schools and places of worship.

Thinking of moving to the Cheltenham area? Our local team know the town well and can help whether you're buying, selling or renting. Get in touch with our Cheltenham office or book a free valuation.