Dauntsey's School
School summary
Founded in 1542 and set in Devizes, Wiltshire, Dauntsey's combines a long heritage with a notably generous outlook on access. Among its scholarships and awards is a striking 100 per cent bursary place scheme open at both 11+ and 16+ entry, alongside academic, sport, drama, performing arts and all-rounder awards. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development, and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 7.5 points to small classes and close attention. With both day and boarding places for around 830 pupils aged 11 to 18, it is a medium-sized school with a sizeable sixth form of roughly 280.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
62%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
46%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
75%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 21 June 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: 62 per cent of GCSE grades reached 9-7 against a national average of 23 per cent, and at A-level 46 per cent of grades were A*-A (national average 28 per cent), with three-quarters at A*-B. The sciences and geography are popular at GCSE, while sixth-formers gravitate towards mathematics, economics, history and the sciences. An EPQ is offered alongside A-levels, giving able pupils room to pursue independent research. Entry at 11+ is competitive, and the strong outcomes suggest a school that suits academically motivated children.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headmaster · Mr John Davies
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 280
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport runs deep here, with rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball and football all on offer, and dedicated awards including the Batten Sport Award and the Jolie Brise All Rounder Award. Drama and performing arts feature in both the scholarship programme and the GCSE choices, where music, drama, art and design and technology are well represented.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1542
- Religious character
- Christian
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 35.24%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
Lower and middle school pupils do not have access to their phones during the school day. In the sixth form, invisible phone policy whereby they are allowed to have their phones with them and use them in specified areas, but should not be seen using them when walking around the school.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £28,395
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £46,950
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
100 per cent bursary place scheme for 11+ and 16+ entry
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Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A historic, academically strong school where fully funded bursary places mean ambition is not reserved for those who can pay the fees.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Dauntsey's School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.