Fairfax Competitors

St Paul’s School has been educating young scholars for over 500 years. The entry points are at 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+ and 16+ and admission is following a successful examination process and interview. The founder John Colet opened the doors to St Paul’s School in 1509 to educate boys “from all nacions and countres indifferently”, regardless of race, creed or social background. The School is committed to the founder’s vision and offer financial support for any boy who is successful in the entry procedure and fulfils the bursary criteria.

Shrewsbury School was founded by Edward VI by Royal Charter in 1552, and it was identified as one of the ‘Great’ public schools by the Clarendon Commission 1868. 2024 was a remarkable year for Shrewsbury pupils, with 87% progressing to their first-choice universities and 19 pupils accepted into North American universities, including two at Harvard. In the past five years, Salopians have secured over 50 Oxbridge offers. Our pupils received a further 10 offers in 2024 and Shrewsbury was named among the top 80 UK institutions for Oxford and Cambridge progression by The Spectator. In typical Salopian style, our best-known alumni are famous for their independence of mind and spirit: Charles Darwin; Sir Philip Sidney; Sir Michael Palin; Lord Martin Rees (Astronomer Royal); Lord Heseltine; the founders of Private Eye magazine, Richard Ingrams, Willie Rushton and Paul Foot; mountaineer Sandy Irvine. The School sits on a stunning 110-acre campus perched above the banks of the River Severn, overlooking the historic market town of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Our school library contains the oldest copy of the rules of football, dating from 1856, when Salopians played a central role in codifying the game. The RSSH (Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt) has the distinction of being the oldest cross-country club in the world and is officially recognised as a World Athletics Heritage site. 11 professional cricketers in 11 years have progressed from the school, including James Taylor, Joe Leach, Ed Barnard and Issy Wong. The Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC) was founded in 1866 and the School is nationally recognised as one of the leading rowing schools in the country and boasts an impressive 14 Henley Royal Regatta wins to its name. If you are interested in an education at Shrewsbury for your child, please contact the Admissions Office - admissions@shrewsbury.org.uk

Kingston Grammar School is an independent co-educational day school in Kingston upon Thames, South West London. The school was founded by Royal Charter in 1561 but can trace its roots back to at least the 13th century. The School has a long history stretching back 400 years. Our aims and values include aspiration, participation, partnership and regard; all key qualities that prepare young people for the world around them.