One of the North West’s most well-known independent schools, Bolton School has a long history, impressive facilities and a reputation for strong academic results. If you are considering the school for your child, here are five key things to know about the latest fees and what families get for the money.
1. Senior School Fees Are Around £15,000 Per Year
For 2025–26, senior school fees at Bolton School are just over £15,000 per year including VAT.
Compared with many London independent schools, Bolton School is often seen as relatively affordable while still offering extensive facilities and strong exam results.
2. Lunches and iPads Are Included
One feature that stands out is that lunches are included within the fees. From Year 3 onwards, pupils also receive a school iPad as part of the package.
Curriculum trips are included too, although some adventure learning residential trips come at an additional cost.
3. The School Is Huge
Bolton School is one of the largest independent schools in the UK, with more than 2,500 pupils across its nursery, infant, junior and senior divisions.
The school operates separate boys’ and girls’ divisions from junior age upwards, while sharing a large campus and many facilities.
4. Bursaries Can Make a Big Difference
The school places a strong emphasis on widening access through bursaries and scholarships. A significant number of senior school pupils receive some form of fee assistance.
Scholarships are available for academics, music, drama and sport, while means-tested bursaries can significantly reduce fees for eligible families.
5. Facilities and Extracurricular Activities Are a Major Selling Point
Set on a large campus in Bolton, the school offers extensive sports grounds, music facilities and a huge range of clubs and activities.
For many families, the combination of strong academics, extracurricular opportunities and relatively competitive fees compared with some southern independent schools makes Bolton School particularly attractive.
You can view the latest fee information on the Bolton School website.