Concord College
Shrewsbury, SY5 7PF, United Kingdom
Concord College
Shrewsbury, SY5 7PF, United Kingdom
Concord College Overview
Concord College is a modern take on the classic rural British boarding school, and provides a majority-international cohort of students with an academically focussed education and state-of-the-art facilities.
What is Concord College like?
Concord College is a pretty unique mix of modern college and traditional boarding school. Having started as a 6th form college for international students, it now offers programmes for students aged 12+ and, as of 2022, around 85% of its students are from overseas.
It maintains a “college” feel, offering a mature and relaxed environment on an expansive campus in rural Shropshire. Like a traditional boarding school, the facilities are immense, though it rebuffs the pomp and ceremony of a traditional school in favour of a modern, progressive, uniform-free vibe. It can therefore feel more like a university campus than a school.
That said, Concord College is no holiday destination for its students, who are expected to have a clear idea of their goals, and the ability and attitude required to achieve them.
Is it a good school?
Concord College has featured in the upper echelons of A-level boarding school league tables for over a decade, so its exam result output cannot be questioned. University destinations are naturally impressive as a result.
The campus is geographically isolated, but the facilities are very much top end. Students have everything they need and plenty to keep themselves occupied.
Is it hard to get into Concord College?
Yes. Despite having a large number of beds to fill, the popularity and continued success of Concord College ensures that it is always oversubscribed and, therefore, competitive to get into.
Younger applicants need to display the calmness required to thrive in a more mature environment without becoming overwhelmed, and older applicants need to demonstrate that they are already operating at a high enough academic level to cope with the demands they will face.
What is boarding at Concord College like?
Twin shared or single rooms are very well appointed, and are reminiscent of British universities’ better-presented halls of residence. On-site sports facilities are plush and plentiful, both indoors and out.
With the college located deep in the countryside, the majority of students are full boarders and, with a high proportion of international students there is a collaborative, secular and diverse atmosphere.
Curriculum and exam results
Progression to the very best universities is always the end goal, and the college offers a more structured approach to subject choice than most. Whereas the majority of schools allow students to mix and match three or four subjects from 20 or more options, Concord offers a more restrictive “menu” which effectively channels students down particular university pathway such as Sciences, Economics, Humanities or Architecture. A-level subjects are therefore limited to the “classic” facilitating subjects when compared with other schools.
Academic studies are supported by a huge range of super curricular activities, with specialist support programmes for targeted university subjects like Medicine and Oxbridge applications.
GCSEs are available as 2 year courses from Year 10, with Year 9 entrants arriving to take a “taster” year of all subjects, as is common amongst the majority of British independent schools.
Exam results for both GCSEs and A-levels are always in the top tier of boarding schools, with A-levels having a particularly strong track record.
Concord College Exam Track Record
- A-level A*-A %
- GCSE A*-A %
- National A-level Average
- National GCSE Average
What are the fees?
Fees for Concord College are very reasonable for day students (around £16k a year) but towards the top end for boarding (£49k as of 2022/23.) This is the price you pay for small class sizes, expert teachers, and top-end accommodation and facilities.
Can I apply for a scholarship?
Yes, a handful of scholarships are available, and are usually allocated to domestic students or overseas superstars. Additional testing is usually required.
How do you apply for Concord College?
We would advise registering at least one year in advance, and the non-refundable registration fee is currently £300. Entrance tests in relevant A-level subjects and English are required for sixth formers, and more general Maths and English papers are provided for younger students.
Late comers will always be considered if they have strong potential and the college is able to find a space.
Before committing to registration, add Concord College to your favourites, submit an enquiry, and we’ll be in touch to make sure you looking along the right lines and have a reasonable chance of submitting a successful application.
Other Nearby Schools
Ashton Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BA, United Kingdom
View School Profile
Add to Shortlist
32, Town Walls, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TN, United Kingdom
View School Profile
Add to Shortlist
Sutherland Road, Telford, TF1 3BH, United Kingdom
View School Profile
Add to Shortlist
