Education and schools in Ascot

The standard of education and schools in Ascot is excellent. The town is home to a wide variety of high-performing government and private schools, with most of the state-funded schools in the town receiving “Good” Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) ratings. 

School attendance is from ages 5 to 18, and education is divided into three levels:

• Primary (first) schools – ages 5 to 11 
• Middle schools – ages 11 to 14 
• Secondary (upper) schools – 14 to 18

Government schools in the UK admit students based on catchment areas, meaning parents will have to conduct thorough research on their chosen suburb to ensure they can get their children into good schools. Opting for the private education route allows parents more flexibility when choosing accommodation in Ascot. 

State-funded schools in Ascot 

State-funded schools in Ascot are free for all legal residents and citizens, so most English-speaking new arrivals find this to be an ideal option. Since the national British curriculum is highly regarded and taught in international schools worldwide, families can easily relocate to another country without interrupting their children's education.

Government schools are tax-funded, so as Ascot is a largely affluent town, most state-funded schools in the area will offer good to exceptional educational standards. That said, some can be oversubscribed, which may impact whether new arrivals are offered a placement.  

In cases where a school is oversubscribed, local students will be given priority. Parents are encouraged to plan for all possibilities and have at least two alternative options. It’s also essential to visit schools and evaluate their Ofsted reports before enrolling children.  

Learn more about the education system and state-funded schools in the UK.

Useful links

• Ofsted – Ratings for state-funded schools in Ascot

Private schools in Ascot 

Independent or private schools are particularly popular in Ascot, and many parents with teenagers opt for these schools. This is because Ascot has a limited supply of state-funded secondary schools.

Private schools are also attractive because they are often better resourced and offer smaller class sizes.  This comes at a cost, though, as parents will have to pay tuition fees, and may need to factor in additional costs such as stationery and uniforms.

Private schools in Ascot teach the English National Curriculum (including the GCSE and A-Levels), but have more flexibility in terms of its application, with most of them teaching through a Christian or Catholic lens. Ascot also has a few single-sex education schools, as well as a special-needs independent school. Some private schools in Ascot, including LVS Ascot and St George’s School Ascot, offer boarding facilities.  

Learn more about independent schools in the UK.

Useful links 

• Independent Schools Council – Private Schools in Ascot 

International schools in Ascot 

There are no international schools in Ascot offering the curriculum of a foreign country. For expat families who would like their children to learn their national curriculum in their home language, Ascot is centrally located with excellent public transport links to London, where there are many international schools.  

Otherwise, the nearby ACS International School Egham and St George’s School Windsor offer the globally respected International Baccalaureate curriculum.  International schools also often offer boarding facilities, which could be an option for new arrivals to explore.

See our list of recommended international schools in London.