Best private schools in Cornwall
There are not many private schools in Cornwall and most of them are based in Truro. This said, Truro is accessible from most of the farthest flung corners of the county either by train or one of the schools’ bus routes and the options here are well worth the commute.
There are refreshingly few waiting lists, with most schools keen to offer places. Demand is high from local families with specific requirements such as greater wrap-around care, a need to academically stretch particularly gifted children or to offer a more bespoke approach for children lost in larger mainstream schools. However, a high percentage of new starters to the schools are ‘in-comers’ moving to the area from ‘up-country’. This means that there is a good support network amongst parents, with a welcoming culture that hugely helps facilitate the first steps in a new location.
Read our features on choosing schools for more details on how to choose and apply for private schools, or more information on the pre-prep and prep stages.
Private Schools in Penzance
Prep Schools in Penzance
Most families living in the Penzance and West Penwith area of Cornwall who wish to privately educate their children choose one of the Truro schools. Both Truro High School Prep and Truro School Prep are viable options from here despite the drive time of up to one hour; see the detailed descriptions of both in the prep schools in Truro and Falmouth section below.
If the commute doesn’t appeal, closer to home is the very small The Cornwall Independent School in Hayle, educating its 77 local children from aged-4 through to GCSE and delivering strong academic results.
Secondary Schools in Penzance
The Truro Schools dominate as the private secondary school route for families living around Penzance. Both Truro School and Truro High School for Girls have plenty of pupils from this part of Cornwall, either travelling in by train or using the schools’ bus routes. See more detailed information on both schools below in the Truro and Falmouth section of this guide.
Alternative, the tiny St Piran’s School in Hayle is a local private school taking children from 4-16 and is noted for its strong GCSE results.
Private Schools in Truro & Falmouth
Prep Schools in Truro & Falmouth
Truro is the hub of private education in Cornwall and has an enviable offering to suit most children and families. Truro School Prep is a happy nurturing school where children receive a carefully balanced offering of excellent academic provision and inspiring extracurricular adventures. Housed in a grade II listed manor house, surrounded by 10 acres of grounds, it is located between the city centre and the hospital, which is extremely useful to the many medical families on the roster. It has high academic results and an easy transition process into its senior school, just across the valley.
If single-sex education is your preferred route for your daughter, Truro High School for Girls is the junior part of the all-through, all girls’ school. It is a warm, nurturing school with an enlightened approach to high level academic achievement. Located in a modern extension to the gothic façade of the senior school, the school perches on a hill overlooking the city of Truro with a huge outdoor space.
For those seeking a small standalone prep, the co-educational Polwhele House is set in 30-acres on the outskirts of Truro and has a good local reputation. From September 2024, it is slowly increasing its reach as it opens a senior department to take pupils up to GCSE.
Secondary Schools in Truro & Falmouth
There are two forces of education in Truro, both have fantastic local reputations and making the choice between them often comes down to simply whether you are after single sex or co-ed.
There are two forces of education in Truro, both have fantastic local reputations
Truro School is a friendly, high achieving, co-educational school with a truly holistic approach to education delivered via an enlightened balance of academic and co-curricular studies. Sitting proudly on a hill overlooking the city, according to our reviewer ‘It is refreshingly lacking in arrogance but quietly setting itself up as the place to be schooled in Cornwall.’
Truro High School for Girls is, according to parents, ‘A haven for girls who want to embrace and excel at learning without the distractions of others with a different attitude, or boys!’ This is a comparatively small school where girls are supported to work hard, achieve high and be kind.
Private Schools in north Cornwall
Prep Schools in north Cornwall
As with other areas of Cornwall, many families living here send their children to one of the Truro options if they are choosing the private school route. See our ‘prep schools in Truro and Falmouth’ section for more details on the likes of Truro School Prep and Truro High School for Girls.
For those seeking something closer to home, St Joseph’s School in Launceston is a small, non-selective private day school for 4–16-year-olds, reported to be ‘excellent’.
Secondary Schools in north Cornwall
As explained above, Truro is the private school hub for many living in this area, please see the detailed information on both Truro School and Truro High School for Girls in the ‘private secondary schools in Truro and Falmouth’ section of this guide.
Alternatively, St Joseph’s School in Launceston is a small but well-regarded local option catering for 4-16 year olds.
Private Schools in St Austell & south east Cornwall
Prep Schools in St Austell & south east Cornwall
While many still tap into the Truro prep school options from here, if you are on the eastern fringes of Cornwall, the Devon private schools become a realistic option and two of the most notable and accessible prep favourites are: Plymouth College Prep School, which is booming 'A popular prep, now comfortably established on the senior school site [where] pupils enjoy their own space plus all the benefits of enhanced facilities in everything from science to swimming,' according to our latest review.
Or, if rolling hills, a stretch of river and bordering moorland is more your idea of perfection you would be hard pressed to beat the setting of Mount Kelly Prep. Our review describes this as ‘A prep that sets out to make childhood last as long as possible but does a great job of developing pupils' independence along the way.’
Secondary Schools in St Austell & south east Cornwall
If you are living in St Austell itself or the surrounding area, the Truro private school offerings are still a viable option from here, accessible in under an hour. See our ‘private secondary schools in Truro and Falmouth’ above for more details on Truro School and Truro High School for Girls.
Those on the eastern edge of Cornwall look at the Devon private schools for alternative options and there are two firm favourites: Plymouth College is revered for its extra-curricular offering and famed for its swimming training. Parents in this city renowned for its three single sex grammars, refer to it as the hidden gem because, ‘Instead of pressure, they offer a sense of belonging where pupils are accepted whatever their ability and talent, making them happy enough to fly academically,’ according to our most recent review.
Alternatively, head out to the edge of Dartmoor and be seduced by the setting and sporting notoriety of Mount Kelly. According to our review: 'Teens who love the outdoors will be in their element in this stunning location on the edge of Dartmoor. Talented swimmers and sports enthusiasts undoubtedly get top-notch coaching but Mount Kelly is a school where all can thrive if they’re happy to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.' Parents praise the strong leadership, borne out by the commendable results.