About Woodard

We are a national group of schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. Our primary purpose is to awaken a love of learning in all – children, students and teachers – and to do this within a value rich and value driven context that recognises the unique value of each individual person and our responsibility towards each other. Distinctively our group includes schools in both the public and private sectors, working together for mutual benefit.

Established by Nathaniel Woodard in 1848, all Woodard schools have an outstanding reputation for providing academic excellence coupled with unrivalled pastoral care. With a supportive and enriching environment, Woodard schools empower their pupils and provide the confidence which enables them to lead rich and fulfilled lives.

Independent and maintained, senior and prep, co-educational and single sex, boarding and day, all Woodard schools share the Founder’s vision of high quality education in an actively Christian environment, combined with the principle that each child should be treated as an individual, be given opportunities to flourish, and develop the confidence and capability to cope with the demands and responsibilities of adult life. Such a vision challenges those who believe that education is simply a matter of teaching and learning certain facts.

Educating more than 30,000 pupils and employing over 2,500 teaching staff, Woodard has an unrivalled breadth and knowledge in education across both the private and state sectors. Woodard actively welcomes students and staff from all faiths or no faith at all, openly encouraging understanding, diversity and tolerance for all and adding to the diversity and rich culture of our school communities.

The incorporated Woodard schools are independent fee-paying schools offering a wealth of education and opportunity for students from the ages of 2 to 18. Incorporated schools operate with their own governing body which is fully responsible for the school’s performance, governance and finance. The governing body also has a responsibility to the Woodard Board.

There are also Affiliated and Associated schools, located across the UK, and from both state and private sectors, respectively. They have joined the Woodard family in order to share best practice, latest thinking and experience. Woodard also sponsors academies through its sister company, the Woodard Academies Trust.

With schools within the group from both the independent and maintained sectors, Woodard is seen as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of education.

The Woodard family of schools provides many inter-school opportunities, the sharing of best practice and a strength and expertise within education.

Our pioneering heritage places much emphasis on leadership and management. From attractive, welcoming environments to modern facilities, Woodard schools offer a rich variety of extracurricular activities, professional teaching and effective pastoral care.

Woodard is a unique expression of Church of England schools in the nation. The Founder’s vision of the family of schools as a Society is guarded by its Provosts and its Corporate Fellows and the group is characterised by mutual support, help and encouragement.

Click here to view the Woodard Prospectus.