St. Benedict's School (Senior)

An independent Roman Catholic School for boys next to the Benedictine Abbey from where it takes some of its teaching staff. The School has a proud history. Founded in 1902 by the monks of Downside Abbey, the monastery at Ealing became an independent community in December 1947, achieving the status of an abbey in 1955.  Alumni include Chris Patten, Andy Serkis, Peter Ackroyd, Denis MacShane and Julian Clarey.

The school is in the process of changing to co-educational. Girls are already admitted in the sixth form but from 2008 at the earliest they will be joining the school from Year 7.

The school has first class facilities and has recently invested very heavily in IT to give itself excellent resources in that area. A new sports pavilion was opened in 2005 at the school's extensive playing fields.

Success on the rugby pitch (the school was national schools champion in 2005) has meant that the academic performance of the school is often underestimated. Pastoral responsibilities towards pupils are given primacy meaning that St. Benedict's tends not to go in for the ruthless weeding out of "underperforming" students employed by some other West London independent schools. Nevertheless pass rates at GCSE level are better than many academically selective schools and it does manage to consistently foster excellence, sending a steady stream of pupils to top universities. In 2005 8 out of 60 members of the sixth form went to Oxbridge.

Fees are £3,310 per term (2006/7) with scholarships and bursaries available.

ISCI Inspection Report - senior school, Jan 2004

How do you get in? 

The school has entrance exams at 11+ and 13+. Most boys at the Junior school go straight through to the senior school.

Contact details