Search

Welcome

Welcome to parents and students of Rendcomb College

Firstly, we would like to say how sorry we were to hear the news and how much we sympathise with you. The closure of a school, especially one of such long standing and reputation as Rendcomb College, is distressing for everyone involved. We have been friendly rivals for many years and have shared many families and colleagues over the years. We understand that uppermost in your minds will be the possible impact on your children, socially and academically.

The Governors of Rendcomb College are keen to help the school community through this period of change as much as possible, and have asked us to look at ways in which we might be able to support you.

About Wishford Education

Wishford Education is a group of 11 schools across the south of England. Local to Rendcomb College are Westonbirt School, Cricklade Manor Prep and Hatherop Castle School. Each has its own character, but they share a core ethos, providing high-quality learning, outstanding opportunities and a happy, caring environment in which children achieve amazing things.

We had planned carefully for the changes which have impacted the independent schools sector in recent years. As a result, we have a strong balance sheet, an agile governance and leadership structure, and access to significant capital to enable us to continue investing in our schools. As a result, our schools and our group are secure and well positioned to continue growing for generations to come.

Our model has proved extremely successful. Our schools are thriving, we have an impeccable track record of school inspections and an enviable reputation for recruiting and retaining the very best staff.

Westonbirt 6th form
121 cricklade prep school swindon DSCF9345-2

What a Wishford school gives every child

  • Strong academic outcomes, resulting from recruiting the best teaching staff, and continuously challenging our heads to develop and improve their educational provision. 
  • A broad and engaging curriculum, with strength in core subjects, and a wide range of inspiring and character-building co-curricular choices.
  • Carefully structured tailored learning, with the support in place to enable every student to fulfill their potential.
  • Fantastic facilities and a track-record of continued investment and development.
  • Warm and empathetic pastoral support and a strong family ethos. 
  • An impeccable track record of outstanding inspection results.
  • A real sense of community and working together.
  • A true ‘home from home’ boarding provision at Hatherop Castle (up to year 8) and Westonbirt (to year 13) with fantastic facilities and flexible boarding options to give children a wonderful experience.

Our commitment to you

  • Smooth transition – we will offer a swift and easy admissions process that will help you secure your child the right school with the minimum red tape;
  • Fees – we will match fees currently being paid, including honouring scholarships and bursaries;
  • Visas – for international students, we will take care of all the paperwork to transfer your visa across;
  • Uniform – we will gift you a voucher to cover the cost of new uniform at your chosen school;
  • Devices – our schools all provide a personal device for students in Year 4 and above;
  • Transport – our large fleet of buses cover much of the Rendcomb catchment and if additional routes or stops are required, we will arrange these;
  • Stability – our schools have the strength of being in a group. We plan for the long term, and continue to invest with confidence.
Hatherop-Castle-School-Nov-2025-Navy-Studios-063of159

Choose a school to suit your son or daughter

Our local schools stand ready to support you in exploring options and making a decision swiftly and simply. We are confident that among them you will find one that will suit your child, and give them the experience that made you choose Rendcomb College. For more details on each school, and to visit their dedicated support page please see the links below.

 

Transport

Our bus routes cover a wide area around the schools, covering very much the same area as the Rendcomb College buses, including:

  • Bourton-on-the-Water, Milton-under-Wychwood, Burford, Witney, Carterton and Lechlade
  • Cirencester, Cricklade, Blunsdon, Swindon, Wootton Bassett and Shrivenham,
  • Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Malmesbury and Tetbury.
  • Wootton-under-Edge, Nailsworth, Stroud and Minchinhampton.

Routes are constantly adapted to meet the needs of parents, so we are always willing to discuss adding extra routes and bus stops – please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Westonbirt School (2-18, co-ed, day and boarding)

Westonbirt is an all-through Nursery-6th Form, with a brand-new, academically ambitious Head who brings an unshakeable commitment to enabling young people to flourish and thrive in all aspects of their lives. The school is housed in a beautiful stately home in 210 acres of landscaped grounds, offering a safe but exciting and fulfilling education. Class sizes are small, and learning tailored to get the best from every student. Co-curricular opportunities are broad, unlocking new experiences and interests. Our boarding houses are relaxing and attractive, and boarders enjoy a wide range of activities and weekend trips, building confidence and independence. With great facilities, from the leisure centre to the golf course and sports pitches, Westonbirt is a thriving co-educational environment that is dynamic, nurturing and inclusive.

Discover more: Westonbirt School

Hatherop Castle School (2-13, co-ed, day and boarding)

Hatherop Castle, hidden deep in the Cotswolds, gives your child the opportunity to experience the Adventure of Childhood. Each child will have his or her own unique adventure within the castle and grounds. It is a magical place where children are challenged and supported to explore the world and their surroundings, try new things, take risks, grow in ability and confidence and fulfil their potential. Our academic results, which ensure all pupils gain their first choice of Senior School, tell their own story. Flexible boarding options enhance the appeal and support parents with their busy working lives.

Discover more: Hatherop Castle School

 

Cricklade Manor Prep (2-11, co-ed, day)

Cricklade Manor sits in extensive grounds in the heart of Cricklade. A friendly, nurturing and welcoming school, we also boast excellent academic credentials, and for those pupils keen to go onto grammar secondary schools, our 11+ programme is extremely successful. Although we are a prep school, we have facilities more usually found in a senior setting, including two fully equipped science laboratories and excellent spaces for sport. Our Cricklade Pupil Development programme was recognised as a Significant Strength in our recent ISI inspection, reflecting provision that has is tailored to each individual pupil to help them achieve their potential.

Discover more: Cricklade Manor Prep

Let us know if there is anything else you need

We are sure that, over the next few days and weeks, everything may feel very up in the air. You are likely to have concerns and lots of questions. We hope that our schools will be able to answer most of your queries. However, if you have any questions you would like to put to someone from the central Wishford team, we warmly invite you to contact us on discovermore@wishford.co.uk