Cheltenham College

What Cheltenham College does

Cheltenham College is a UK-based, non-profit independent co-educational boarding and day school founded in 1841, headquartered in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It operates two domestic campuses: Cheltenham College for pupils aged 13-18 (approximately 750 pupils from the UK and internationally) and Cheltenham College Preparatory School (Cheltenham Prep) for ages 3-13 (approximately 450 pupils, 40 of whom are boarders). The school extends its brand internationally through three wholly-owned partner schools: Cheltenham Muscat (Oman), Cheltenham College Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and Cheltenham College Lombardy (Italy). Domestic operations include 11 Houses (six boys', five girls', including two dedicated day houses), a One-Year GCSE programme, Lower College (13-16), and Upper College/Sixth Form (16-18) offering A-Levels, BTECs, CTechs, and the Extended Project Qualification.

The school's academic and co-curricular infrastructure is technically supported by a managed iPad programme (required for all pupils, administered via Apple School Manager with security and safeguarding controls), an ISAMs parent portal, Evolve trip management, and a music composition suite using iMacs running Sibelius, Logic Pro, and Spitfire Audio's BBC Symphony Orchestra sample library. It holds All-Steinway School status with two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos. Co-curricular offerings include 130 teams across 15 sports (rugby, hockey, cricket, rowing, polo, equestrian), the Talented Athlete Programme supporting 400+ athletes, Combined Cadet Force (since 1862), Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and an extensive music and drama programme producing over 70 performances annually.

Revenue is generated through termly tuition fees across three tiers (full boarding, day boarding with a minimum two-night stay, and day pupils), with a cap of 25% Day Boarders per year group. Ancillary revenue streams include over 7,000 individual music lessons annually, bus services operated by Pulhams Coaches, uniform shop sales, trip fees, and commercial activity through Cheltenham College Services Limited. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via dedicated College and Prep admissions teams, supplemented by overseas agents for international recruitment. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The school is governed independently by its own board of governors under Head Chris Townsend, with no parent company or external equity ownership.

Name

Cheltenham College

Legal name

Cheltenham College

Website

https://cheltenhamcollege.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1841

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Cheltenham College is a UK independent co-educational boarding and day school founded in 1841, serving approximately 1,200 pupils aged 3-18 across its College and Prep School in Cheltenham, with international partner schools in Oman, Malaysia, and Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Independent boarding school
• Secondary education
• Preparatory school
• A-Level curriculum
• Co-curricular programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheltenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Boarding: Full boarding fees cover pupils living in Boarding Houses during term time, returning home during holidays and agreed weekends. Day Boarding options are also available with a minimum two-night stay requirement.
2. Tuition Fees - Day Pupils: Day pupil fees cover participation in all academic and co-curricular activities during school hours, with optional access to boarding facilities on specific nights.
3. Additional Services: Additional revenue from music lessons (over 300 individual lessons per week), bus services operated by Pulhams Coaches, uniform shop sales, and trip fees.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cheltenham College is a co-educational independent boarding and day school delivering GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, BTEC, and CTech qualifications to approximately 750 pupils aged 13-18, alongside Cheltenham Prep School which provides nursery, pre-prep, and prep education to 450 pupils aged 3-13. Core delivery combines the academic curriculum (including Oxbridge preparation and university/careers guidance) with an extensive co-curricular programme of sport, music (All-Steinway School), drama, Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and pastoral services through an 11-House system and on-site Health Centre.

Product overview

Cheltenham College operates as a co-educational independent boarding and day school comprising two institutions: Cheltenham College for pupils aged 13-18 (approximately 750 students) and Cheltenham Prep School for ages 3-13 (approximately 450 students). The college offers academic programmes through Lower College (Years 9-11), One-Year GCSE, and Upper College/Sixth Form (Years 12-13) providing approximately 30 qualification options including A Levels, BTECs, CTechs, and Extended Project Qualification. Co-curricular provision spans sports (130 teams across 15 sports with Talented Athlete Programme), music (All-Steinway designation with Thirlestaine House facilities), drama, Combined Cadet Force, and Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Pastoral support includes the Health Centre with GP and physiotherapy services, Student Support Services with counselling, and the Floreat PSHE programme. Technology integration includes a managed iPad programme for all pupils.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cheltenham College (Ages 13-18) Co-educational independent boarding and day school for approximately 750 pupils aged 13-18. Delivers academic qualifications (GCSE, IGCSE, A Levels, BTECs, CTechs, Extended Project Qualification) alongside extensive co-curricular programmes in sport, music, drama, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Rated 'Excellent in All Areas' by ISI.
• Cheltenham Prep School (Ages 3-13) Independent co-educational preparatory school with 450 pupils (including 40 boarders), the largest Prep School in Cheltenham. Covers Nursery, Pre-Prep (ages 4-7) and Prep (ages 7-13) with co-curricular provision and ISI 'Excellent in All Areas' rating.
• Sixth Form (Upper College) Upper College provision for 300+ boarding and day pupils aged 16-18 offering approximately 30 qualifications including A Levels, BTECs, CTechs, and Extended Project Qualification, with specialist preparation for Oxford/Cambridge and US university applications.
• One-Year GCSE Programme Accelerated one-year intensive GCSE programme for 15-17 year olds covering Maths IGCSE, English Language/ESL IGCSE, Double Award Science IGCSE, GCSE in native language, and optional Geography or History GCSE; designed for international and late-entry UK students.
• Sport Programme Comprehensive sport programme offering 130 teams across 15 sports including rugby, hockey, cricket, rowing, tennis, polo and equestrian, with the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) and Athletic Development department supporting 400+ athletes.
• Music Department (Thirlestaine House) All-Steinway School music programme housed in Thirlestaine House featuring over 20 ensembles, two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos, a composition suite running Sibelius and Logic Pro, and over 70 performances per year, with over 7,270 individual music lessons annually.
• Drama Programme Drama programme producing at least six productions annually across House plays and main-stage productions in Big Classical theatre, with both performance and technical backstage opportunities in lighting, sound, and stage management.
• Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Military-inspired Combined Cadet Force dating to 1862, offering Army training with Wednesday afternoon sessions, field days, week-long camps, and recognised qualifications.
• Oxbridge Preparation Programme Specialist preparation programme for Oxford and Cambridge applications including subject mentors (typically Heads of Department), structured guidance sessions, admissions test preparation, and interview coaching.
• Higher Education and Careers Programme Comprehensive careers and university guidance programme from Fourth Form onwards, supporting UCAS applications, apprenticeships, international university applications (USA, Canada, Hong Kong), and MDV preparation.
• Health Centre and Student Support Services On-campus Health Centre with nursing staff, GP services, physiotherapy, and Student Support Services delivered by NHS-trained Specialist Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists providing counselling and mindfulness.
• iPad Technology Programme Managed iPad programme requiring all pupils to use a 13-inch iPad Air with keyboard cover and Apple Pencil, with devices managed by the College via Apple School Manager, security software, managed Wi-Fi, safeguarding protections, and three-year warranty through an EdTech purchasing portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of A Level, CTech and BTEC grades at A*-B (2025)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pulhams Coaches (Pulham & Sons)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPulhams Coaches operate the bus service on behalf of Cheltenham's independent schools, covering areas surrounding Cheltenham with routes, timings, and termly season tickets. The partnership enables geographic accessibility for day pupils and boarders returning home.
• Cheltenham Town Football Club AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College partnered with Cheltenham Town Football Club Academy to provide regular professional coaching sessions for all pupils who wish to play football. The partnership supports the rapid growth of football at the school since its beginnings in 2017.
• Gloucester RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College has a strong relationship with Gloucester Rugby. As a partner, the school has over 20 players involved with the U14, U15, U16 and U18 Gloucester Academy teams. The partnership has resulted in six OCs gaining professional contracts since 2017.
• Berkeley Place SurgerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Health Centre works in partnership with Berkeley Place Surgery in Cheltenham. All boarding pupils are automatically registered with a College GP to ensure comprehensive health overview. Dr Jim Ropner serves as Chief Medical Officer and is a Council Member of MOSA.
• Longdole Polo ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining sessions and home fixtures for polo take place at Longdole Polo Club near Birdlip, where College players are supported by professional, national-level coaches.
• Skyborne Airline AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College is proximate to Skyborne Airline Academy at Gloucestershire Airport, with five pupils in the last two years taking up places to train for commercial airlines. Skyborne offers integrated ATPL combined with BSc Honours degree through University of West London.
• Leading Edge AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College is proximate to Leading Edge Aviation in Oxfordshire. The LEAP course includes BSc in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training, with training across Oxford and Alhama, Spain.
• Guards Polo ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College competed in the Copenhagen Cup at Guards Polo Club, with thanks extended to parents, grooms and hosts at the club for their invaluable contribution to the event.
• Cotswold Hills Golf ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege Golf team competes annually in the West of England Public School Championships and participates in fixtures at Cotswold Hills Golf Club, utilizing their professional coach and indoor range at Brickhampton during winter.
• Severn Stars (Netball)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheltenham College has a strong link with the Superleague franchise Severn Stars, providing pupils with opportunities to watch and be coached by senior players at Netball Activity camps.
• Gwyn Williams (Wales Hockey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGwyn Williams is Director of Hockey at Cheltenham College and current Manager of Wales Senior Mens Hockey programme, providing expert coaching and programme leadership.
• Olly Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer Gloucester and England professional Olly Morgan leads the College rugby programme, bringing professional playing experience to coach pupils with support from other former professional players.
• Morgan Motor CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness students visit Morgan Motor Company to compare and contrast business models in the automotive industry.
• BMW MINI (Cowley)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness students visit BMW MINI in Cowley as part of learning extending beyond the classroom.
• SuperdryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness students visit Superdry headquarters to compare business models in the fashion industry.
• Gloucester Rugby (Business Visit)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness students visit Gloucester Rugby as part of comparing business models in the sports industry.
• Rectory Farm (Equestrian)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege equestrian training takes place off-campus at Rectory Farm, utilizing their facilities including a brand new 40x60m all-weather arena and British Eventing standard cross-country courses.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dean Close School: Co-educational independent boarding and day school located in Cheltenham — direct local competitor with similar pupil demographic, qualification pathways, and co-curricular emphasis (particularly music and sport).
• Rugby School: Historic co-ed boarding school with comparable full-boarding ethos, House system, academic results, and international pupil mix. Direct peer in both product offering and competitive set.
• Winchester College: Founded 1382, full-boarding independent school with strong academic results, House system, and historic estate. Comparable in regulatory environment (UK charity), pupil outcomes profile, and premium fee positioning.
• Oundle School: Co-educational independent boarding and day school with strong STEM/co-curricular offering and ~1,100 pupils. Comparable in operating model, qualification breadth, and fee tier.
• Eton College: The UK's preeminent independent boarding school for boys (now co-ed in sixth form). Operates full-boarding model across multiple historic Houses with similar pastoral architecture, Oxbridge-centric outcomes, and international pupil intake. Closest analogue in scale, prestige tier, and co-curricular depth.
• Harrow School: Elite UK boarding school with full-boarding model, House system, and strong Oxbridge progression. Comparable in premium positioning and international pupil demographic.
• Marlborough College: Co-educational full-boarding independent school of similar size (~900 pupils) with comparable academic outcomes, extensive co-curricular programme (sport, music, drama), and active international recruitment. Direct competitor in the co-ed boarding market segment.
• Clifton College: Bristol-based co-educational independent boarding and day school of similar scale (~1,300 pupils) with comparable academic results, full-boarding model, and broad co-curricular provision.
• Dulwich College: London-based co-ed (senior) independent school with strong academic outcomes, House system, and international pupil recruitment. Comparable in fee tier, regulatory exposure, and product offering.

Broad incumbents

• Wellington College: Larger (~1,200+ pupils) co-educational independent boarding school with broader income base (extensive conference and commercial operations). Comparable in academic outcomes and co-curricular breadth but operates at materially greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cheltcolmusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/CheltCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheltcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/cheltcollege
• Xx.com/CheltCollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cheltenham College