Bishop Cotton School
Christian, Founded 1859
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
IGCSEAccreditations
CISLanguages
English
HindiEstablished in 1859, Bishop Cotton School is one of India's oldest and most distinguished boys' boarding schools, dedicated to academic excellence, character development, and leadership training. It combines a rich 167-year heritage with a progressive, holistic curriculum designed to prepare students for global citizenship.
Curriculum
Programme tracks
For Indian resident students
For NRI students
Teaching approach
Guided by the motto "Overcome Evil with Good," the school is built upon the "Shimla Seven Principles": being principled, connected, resilient, motivated, curious, reflective, and creative. The educational approach emphasizes holistic development, conceptual understanding over rote learning, and the cultivation of integrity, empathy, and leadership.
Programmes
The school offers a structured academic pathway affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), leading to ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) qualifications. Starting in 2026, the school is introducing the Cambridge Pathway, including IGCSE, Cambridge Lower Secondary, and 'A'/'AS' Level qualifications. The academic structure is supported by five pillars: the Chemsford Sinker Academic Programme, Bayliss Co-Curricular Programme, Grindlays Games Programme, Parigyal Outward Bound Programme, and Sapan Walia Outreach Programme.
Outcomes
The school reports a 98% university placement rate for its graduates. Alumni include over 4,000 leaders across 120 countries, including CEOs and founders, reflecting the school's focus on preparing students for higher education in India and abroad.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides 24/7 pastoral care through resident housemasters and tutors who live within the boarding houses. Additionally, the medical infirmary is staffed by qualified doctors and nurses to monitor student well-being, with isolation rooms and an on-site pharmacy available.
Frequently asked questions(6)
- What curriculum does Bishop Cotton School offer?
- Bishop Cotton School offers IGCSE and Cambridge Lower Secondary.
- How much is tuition at Bishop Cotton School?
- Annual tuition at Bishop Cotton School is ₹780K–₹1.3M. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- Is Bishop Cotton School a day or boarding school?
- Bishop Cotton School is a day and boarding school.
- What accreditations does Bishop Cotton School hold?
- Bishop Cotton School holds accreditations including CIS.
- Is Bishop Cotton School co-educational?
- Bishop Cotton School is a boys school.
- Where is Bishop Cotton School located?
- Bishop Cotton School is an international school in Shimla, India.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Class 4 – 6Standard | 9–11 | ₹780K |
| Class 7 – 10Standard | 12–15 | ₹860K |
| Class 11– 12Standard | 16–17 | ₹920K |
| Class 4 – 12NRI | 9–17 | ₹1.3M |
Source:PDFclass_6_frame_of_reference.pdfPDFclass_4_frame_of_reference.pdfPDFclass_5_frame_of_reference.pdfPDFfee_structure_2026.pdf
Other fees(5)
| Enrolment fee· Admission Fee for Standard admissions | ₹65K |
|---|---|
| Enrolment fee· Admission Fee for NRI admissions | ₹100K |
| Deposit· Caution Money (Refundable, Rs. 25,000 deducted for OCA Lifelong Membership) | ₹300K |
| Deposit· Imprest Account (Advance against personal billing) | ₹100K |
| Deposit· Pocket money for Classes 6-12 (Class 6 only for Class 4-6 group) | ₹10K |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 15%
Admissions
The school conducts a comprehensive admissions process that includes a written entrance examination to assess academic aptitude and critical thinking, followed by a personal interview with the student and parents to evaluate values alignment. Entrance examinations are held at designated test centres in Shimla and New Delhi. Prospective families must submit a formal application and pay a non-refundable registration fee.
Calendar
The school year includes significant annual events such as Speech Day, where academic and co-curricular achievements are celebrated, and Remembrance Day, held at the school's War Memorial. Founder's Day is marked by special festive banquets and community ceremonies.
Facilities
About the campus
The 35-acre campus features 25 buildings, including 45 smart-board-equipped classrooms, three specialized science laboratories, and two computer labs with 60 workstations and robotics kits. Athletic facilities include a gymnasium, a shooting range, a swimming pool, and Shankar Hall for racquet sports. Residential life is organized into four boarding houses—Curzon, Ibbetson, Lefroy, and Rivaz—supported by a 24/7 medical infirmary, a dining hall seating 400, and the historic Holy Trinity Chapel.
Co-curriculars
The Bayliss Co-Curricular Programme fosters creativity and cultural appreciation through music, drama, and the arts. Students participate in activities such as English and Hindi elocution, debate, theatrical productions, and reading competitions. The school also hosts an annual music festival and maintains a choir, orchestra, and various ensembles.
MATHEW PRASAD JOHNHEADMASTERMr. Mathew P. John serves as the Headmaster of Bishop Cotton School. He emphasizes a holistic educational philosophy centered on five core pillars: academic, co-curricular, games, outward bound, and outreach programmes.
DINESH THAKURSENIOR MASTER-PASTORAL, HEAD OF FACULTY: HUMANITIESDinesh Thakur serves as the Senior Master-Pastoral and Head of Faculty for Humanities. He holds an M.A. in Geography, an M.Phil., a B.Ed., and an MBA in HR.
ASHFORD AGNELO LYONETTESENIOR MASTER-ACADEMICSAshford Agnelo Lyonette serves as the Senior Master-Academics at Bishop Cotton School.
VIJAY SINGH BHARDWAJSECOND MASTER / HEAD OF FACULTY: HINDIVijay Singh Bhardwaj serves as the Second Master and Head of Faculty for Hindi. He holds an Acharya degree and an M.A. in Hindi, along with a B.Ed.
JAMES ANTHONYMAIN SCHOOL COORDINATORJames Anthony serves as the Main School Coordinator. He holds an M.Sc. in Biotechnology, a B.Ed., and a PGDSLM.
ANURADHA JOHNMIDDLE SCHOOL COORDINATORAnuradha John serves as the Middle School Coordinator. She holds an M.A. in English and a B.Ed.
SAPNA SHARMAHEAD OF FACULTY: SCIENCESapna Sharma serves as the Head of Faculty for Science. She holds an M.Sc. in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Life Science.