‘We were sold when we discovered the uniform includes wellies and boiler suits,’ one parent says. Pupils make the most of Mowden’s setting in 50 acres of dramatic countryside with a bike course, climbing wall and gardening club. Head Kate Martin is like ‘Mary Poppins: practically perfect in every way’, according to a parent, while a pupil says she ‘always pushes us to be the best version of ourselves’. Having bagged the school’s best CE grades in recent history, last year’s leavers moved on to Giggleswick, Millfield and Rugby. Year 7s have the option to spend the summer term at Château de Sauveterre to perfect their French, but with so much going on at Mowden, we would forgive them for choosing to stay.
Location: Newton, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7TP
Website: mowdenhall.co.uk
Head: Kate Martin
Pupils: 201 day and boarding: 100 boys, 101 girls
Ages: 3–13
Term fees: Day: £6,160; boarding: £8,445
