Earlscliffe

Earlscliffe provides a personalised, supportive, and academically ambitious environment for students aged 15 to 19. It balances traditional English values with an international, open-minded perspective, encouraging students to become self-motivated, resilient, and aware individuals. The school emphasizes a "home-from-home" boarding experience where students are encouraged to make their own mark and forge lasting friendships.

The academic offering includes two-year A-levels, the International Transition Year (ITY), Pre A-level, the University Foundation Year (UFY), and the ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management. The school also offers a Pearson Extended Certificate in Sport and a Football Development Programme in partnership with Tottenham Hotspur. Additionally, the school provides Academic Integration Short Courses and residential summer and Easter programmes focused on English language and academic preparation.

The school provides a personalised education aimed at successful progression to target degree courses and careers at top universities. Students receive 1:1 UCAS counselling, and the curriculum includes enriching activities to enhance university applications. The school's academic reputation is high, with A-level results frequently placing it in the top echelon of co-educational boarding schools in the south-east of England.

The school employs a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who works closely with families, teachers, and external professionals to support neurodivergent students. The academic model utilizes TRaC™ (Test, Rank and Coach), a system of regular testing and targeted academic coaching to identify underperformance early and provide structured support. Small class sizes, averaging seven students, ensure individual attention and meaningful interaction with teachers.

The admissions process is designed to be clear and straightforward, requiring an online application, submission of school reports from the previous two years, and a registration fee. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency—IELTS 4.5 or equivalent for one-year GCSE, and IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for A-level and Year 13 programmes—and complete academic assessment tests under exam conditions. An interview, either in person or online, is mandatory for all prospective students. Places are limited, and early application is advised, no later than April in the year of proposed entry. A limited number of academic scholarships are available.

The academic year runs across three terms, from September until June. Each term includes a one-week mid-term break, during which students may choose to remain in residence or return home. The majority of students stay in residence during weekends, with a variety of activities provided outside of lesson times.

Located in the West End of Folkestone, the campus consists of eight recently renovated Victorian and Edwardian buildings. It provides high-quality teaching and residential facilities, with most student rooms being en-suite single or twin rooms. The school features a dining room where meals are prepared by an in-house team, and students have access to local sports centres, including the Three Hills Sports Park and a multi-storey skate park.

The school offers a wide range of activities to develop skills and character, including creative arts, sports, and cultural events. On-site sports facilities allow for volleyball, basketball, badminton, billiards, and table tennis. Supervised activities include football, tennis, rounders, swimming, 'Earlscliffe’s Got Talent', 'Bake Off', and quiz nights. Students also participate in regular excursions, such as trips to London, Canterbury, and local coastal towns, as well as optional extras like stand-up paddle boarding, paintball, and theatre trips.