Saint Felix School
A British boarding school for children aged 2 to 19, Saint Felix School welcomes students from over 30 countries. Situated on 75 acres along the Suffolk coast, it blends century-old traditions with contemporary teaching methods that respond to how young people actually learn.
History and Location
Margaret Isabella Gardiner founded Saint Felix School in 1897, transforming what began as a small community into a co-educational institution. Boys joined in 2002, while the youngest learners got their own dedicated space in 2015. The campus occupies a distinctive position on the Suffolk Heritage Coast—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty minutes from Southwold’s beaches—where the school once sheltered Jewish refugees during World War II, establishing a tradition of social responsibility that continues today.
Educational Programs
From nursery through sixth form, Saint Felix School offers continuous education under one roof. Younger children follow the EYFS framework, middle years students work through the National Curriculum, and older students select GCSE and A-Level subjects aligned with their ambitions. The Harkness method replaces traditional lectures with round-table discussions where students debate ideas directly, while the Saint Felix Diploma develops skills beyond academics through modules in creativity, science, research, and leadership. Small classes and weekly mentor meetings ensure teachers can address both academic progress and each student’s wellbeing.
Academic Results
In 2024-2025, Saint Felix School students achieved their strongest results yet. At A-Level, one in five grades reached A* or A, with 67% scoring B or above and 87% achieving C or better. GCSE performance showed even sharper improvement—a 26% increase in top Grade 9 marks, while everyone who sat biology, chemistry, French, physics, and textiles earned between Grade 9 and 4. These outcomes helped 94% of 2023 graduates secure places at their first or second choice universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and other Russell Group institutions.
Infrastructure
A decade-long modernization transformed Saint Felix School’s facilities, creating age-appropriate spaces like Bronte House for the youngest pupils and Clough House for juniors. The 200-seat Chapel with exceptional acoustics and the 250-seat Silcox Theatre host concerts and productions throughout the year. Athletic facilities include a 25-meter indoor pool, a fitness complex with gym, tennis courts, and fields for football and rugby, while the Forest School teaches children outdoor skills like shelter-building, fire-lighting, and stargazing in a natural setting.
Boarding at Saint Felix School
Saint Felix School operates as both a boarding and day school, offering families flexibility in how their children attend. Three boarding houses accommodate up to 150 students: Somerville and Gardiner House for middle years with separate wings by gender, plus the renovated Fawcett House for sixth formers. House Parents live on-site around the clock, coordinating with teachers and medical staff to support each resident. The house system—Kay, Pemberton, Rowell, and Edmond, named for distinguished alumni—brings together students of different ages into teams that compete in various activities, while weekend excursions to Norwich, Cambridge, bowling alleys, and local nature reserves keep life engaging.
Cultural Diversity and Talent Development
More than 30 nationalities make up Saint Felix School’s international community, where the annual Culture Day becomes an authentic exchange rather than a textbook lesson. Beyond cultural interaction, students pursue over 30 sports—with badminton standing out as the flagship discipline through victories at district, regional, and national levels—while the Duke of Edinburgh Award program develops leadership qualities starting with bronze certification in Year 9. With 60 options across musical ensembles, theater companies, and dance groups, creative expression flourishes alongside athletic achievement; among alumni are sports champions and the first woman to play on Cambridge’s men’s golf team.
