Dean Close School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, educating pupils from the age of three to eighteen. Founded in 1886 and set within fifty acres on the edge of the town, the school combines a traditional public school heritage with a modern educational structure. The campus includes the pre-preparatory, preparatory and senior schools, each with its own facilities but sharing a unified ethos under the Dean Close Foundation.
The school was originally established as Dean Close Memorial School and named after the Very Reverend Francis Close. Its early years were shaped by the values and aspirations of Victorian education, and over time the school developed into a broader community with an increasing emphasis on co-curricular life. Girls joined the school for specific tutorials in the late 1960s, and by 1970 Dean Close had adopted a co-educational model which gradually grew into an even balance across all year groups.
Dean Close maintains a strong academic programme supported by modern facilities. The school offers a wide curriculum and has achieved consistent results at GCSE and A Level. The senior school is a member of relevant national associations and places emphasis on pastoral care through its house system. There are nine senior houses, including boarding and day options for both boys and girls. Additional sixth form houses provide an environment suited to senior pupils preparing for university and adult life.
Sport forms an important part of school life. Dean Close is recognised for its long-standing strength in hockey and has produced national finalists across both boys and girls age groups in indoor and outdoor competitions. The school also competes successfully in rugby and offers a varied sporting programme that supports pupils of different abilities and interests. Beyond sport, music and the performing arts have a strong presence. The Schola Cantorum at Dean Close Prep School, associated with Tewkesbury Abbey, provides a distinctive choral tradition and maintains an active performance and touring schedule.
The school’s history is reflected in its buildings and traditions. The memorial chapel honours the former pupils who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars and continues to serve as the focal point for remembrance. Cadet training has also been part of the school since the early twentieth century through the Combined Cadet Force. Dean Close has expanded its reach through the acquisition of nearby preparatory schools and nurseries, and the formation of the Dean Close Foundation has brought these institutions into a connected educational family.
With its broad curriculum, strong pastoral system and deep-rooted sense of heritage, Dean Close School offers an environment that encourages academic ambition, personal development and participation in a wide range of activities. The school aims to provide a balanced education that supports pupils from early childhood through to the sixth form, while maintaining the traditions and values on which it was founded.