8 top schools for hockey

Hockey players have daily access to two state-of-the-art pitches and personalised coaching and strength and conditioning support within Oakham’s year-round indoor and outdoor hockey programme. In 2024 the U16 girls were runners up in the Tier 1 National Competition and both boys’ and girls’ teams regularly place in the top eight schools in the UK. Many players advance in the performance pathway. Alumni include two-time Olympic medal winner Crista Cullen MBE, World Cup winner for Germany Alex Stadler, and Eurohockey junior medalist Matt Ramshaw. Coaches have exceptional national and international experience. Sports scholarships at 13+, 14+ and 16+.

Millfield hockey offers a bespoke programme that includes internal and external opportunities, including a club integrated programme enabling access to National League hockey. Video analysis and athletic development are integrated in the day-to-day offering and they have three water-based AstroTurf’s with five specialist coaches that lead and deliver the all year-round programme catering for all ability levels. Current GB athletes include Stuart Rushmere, Toby Reynolds-Cotterill, Sam Hooper and Becky Manton – and the school’s Olympic alumni include Richard and Simon Mantell and gold medallist, Stephen Batchelor. The school has a well-established transition pathway to USA colleges. Sports scholarships at 13+ and 16+.

Dean Close has excelled in hockey for over a century. There’s an inclusive approach, with every student put into a team – while many of the most able progress into a life of hockey at international or Olympic standard or in their local club third and fourth teams. Director of Hockey since 1991 has taken the school to 37 national finals. They have two Astroturfs, one water-based and recognised as among best in the country, plus indoor facilities – and there’s everything from dedicated physio teams to one-to-one mentoring and guest coaches. Alumni include Ben Marsden (GB Olympian), Trevor Snow and Simon Organ (Wales), England’s U21 Amelia Andrews and GB U21s Nick Nurse, Jacob Payton, Oliver Smart, Ellis Robson and James Hunt. Plus Jacob Payton, senior men’s England and GB squad member. Sports scholarships at 13+ and 16+.

Whitgift has a dedicated staffing body solely responsible for hockey including two premiership coaches, two National League Coaches and two Talent Academy Coaches. Facilities include flood-lit water-based pitch, indoor court (often used to host national finals) and one of the few full-sized indoor halls in the country that can host spectators and teams. Director of Hockey since 2011 spent his professional playing career at Surbiton Hockey Club Premiership and was an international Hockey player for Gibraltar. Alumni include Zach Wallace (Olympian), Jack Waller (Olympian), Rhys Smith (GB), Luke Taylor (GB) and Jonty Griffiths (England). Sports scholarships at 13+ and 16+.

This school has a strong track record in county championships and a stellar set of coaches. Facilities include a top-quality water based pitch which hosts premier league hockey, and a full indoor pitch in their new Chellaram Sports Complex. They have links with four clubs in Bristol (Clifton Robinsons, Firebrands, Redland, Bristol University) – along with links to England Hockey Talent academy. They have eight players representing their counties from U16-U18 and alumni include international hockey player Lily Owsley. The school runs tours to South Africa and pre-season trips to Belfast/Dublin. Sports scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+.

Surbiton High School is one of the few day schools able to compete with schools that train far more frequently, due in part to their flexible approach that includes supporting pupils to play in adult club hockey at weekends, ensuring they gain diverse experiences. The programme is overseen by a former England International player, who is supported by a team of full-time PE teachers and specialist hockey coaches, including Olympians and current international players. They have all-weather astroturf pitches at the Hinchley Wood Sports Ground, plus access to pitches at local clubs like Surbiton Hockey Club, a Premier League giant, and Old Cranleighans, a National League club. Sports scholarships at 11+ and 16+.

This boys’ state school runs 27 hockey teams across the school, which means a huge number of students participating at all levels of ability. The school also stands out for nurturing its elite talent and they have been national champions at U16 in the past. Senior boys compete in the competitive tier 1 South competition and regularly push the best teams in the south to their limits. They have use of a dedicated hockey astro – rare for any state school – and hockey is on curriculum from KS3, as well as running every night after school, with fixtures on Saturday mornings. ‘We are the only comprehensive school on our fixture which boast some of the best schools in the country,’ says school. Alumni include Dan Shingles (Old Georgians/GB) and Dan Hamilton (Loughborough/England U18 captain).

St George’s Weybridge, Taunton School, Reeds, Epsom College