Ratcliffe College is a traditional, co-educational, Catholic day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 -18, based in rural Leicestershire. Founded in 1847 by the Rosminian Fathers, Ratcliffe is steeped in history and tradition. Set in 200 acres of beautiful grounds, students benefit daily by working and playing within a truly inspirational physical environment.
The College’s inclusive Catholic ethos is complemented by the outstanding quality of the College’s community through which the College’s Mission, “Learning and Growing in the Light of the Gospel”, serves to nurture resilience and develop maturity. Young people leave Ratcliffe with a strong sense of who they are and their purpose in the world, equipped socially, emotionally, morally, and spiritually to go forth and make a difference to the communities in which they live and work.
| Year (2024-2025) | Fee (Per Annum) | Extras included in fees |
| Year 6 to 8 – Weekly Boarding | £26,865 | Fees include all meals for boarders. |
| Year 9 to 13 – Weekly Boarding | £30,057 | Fees include all meals for boarders. |
| Full Boarding | £40,356 | Fees include all meals for boarders and the cost of weekend trips throughout the year. |
Academic Excellence
We are committed to getting the very best out of our students and provide every opportunity for them to exceed expectations, realise their full potential and achieve the highest grades possible.
With a winning combination of excellent teaching, small class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities, our pupils benefit from a rich learning environment and consequently attain significantly higher grades than predicted. In the summer of 2023, 81% of all A-Level grades were A* – C and 32% achieving A*/A, with a pass rate of 99.5% overall. The College sits within the top 1% for Value Added results at A Level, with over 95% of students achieving their first choice pathway.
Ratcliffe College has been judged ‘Excellent’ in all areas, following the recent Focused Compliance and Education Quality ISI Inspection, held in May 2022.
Co-Curricular Programme
To succeed academically, we believe that young people need to grow and learn outside the classroom too. Our programme provides the perfect balance of academic and co-curricular activities. Pupils have an enormous range of clubs, societies, and new experiences to choose from weekly.
Our co-curricular programme revolves around the “Big Six” – Chaplaincy, Sport, Music, Drama, Combined Cadet Force, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Pupils are encouraged to try something new, challenge themselves and meet new friends along the way, allowing for individual choice, personal growth and development.
Outstanding Facilities and Campus
- Watch our campus 360 Tour.
Ratcliffe College benefits from outstanding facilities and cutting-edge academic spaces, inspiring a love of learning for all. The College campus and facilities encourage students to excel and provides a safe community and environment in which to live, explore and learn.
State-of-the-art facilities, include:
- Preparatory and Nursery School (age 3 – 11)
- Sixth Form Centre, with a newly refurbished café and independent study facilities
- Refurbished Boarding accommodation and communal spaces
- Indoor swimming pool
- Carbon-zero English Language Centre
- Large, modern Fitness Suite
- The tranquil Lockhart Garden
- Athletics Track
- Two sports halls
- Floodlit and all-weather pitches (Cricket, Rugby, Hockey and Netball)
The campus also benefits from a high-performance theatre, creative art spaces, galleries, and excellent music facilities.
Boarding at Ratcliffe
Our vibrant, warm and welcoming boarding community enjoys a strong international flavour, something that has long been part of the College’s history, and which enables students to experience first-hand the wonders that can be found in celebrating difference, and the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity within our communities in and out of School.
Students aged 10 and above can choose from full, weekly, regular, and occasional boarding, becoming part of a diverse boarding community. Our boarders are supported by a dedicated team and enjoy a comprehensive programme of activities and excursions, arranged for evenings and weekends.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Academic Scholarships (Music, Sports, Art, Drama and Multi-talented) are available to those entering Year 7 or Year 12. We have the highest expectations of our scholarship students; challenging them to fulfil their potential in all of their endeavours. Scholarships are for students that have a particular passion or talent that they wish to pursue throughout and beyond their education. As a scholar, students will receive additional support in their subject field with a 5-20% fee remission.
As a Catholic school our aim is to help children who, under normal circumstances, would not be able to benefit from a Ratcliffe education. Our Bursary awards are designed to support talented students from low-income families and are available for up to 80% of a student’s school fee and in exceptional circumstances up to 100%. Bursaries are available for those entering Year 7 or Year 12 only. All awards are subject to parental means testing.
“Pupils demonstrate excellent levels of self-confidence, self-awareness and resilience. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning and considerable willingness to participate across all areas of their education.”
ISI Inspection Report [2022].
