9 top schools for rowing

A tradition since 1849, rowing takes place on a stunning 6km stretch of the Thames, where the school regularly puts out seven J14 octuples, four J15 eights, two J16 eights and four senior eights. The rowing centre opened in 2015, with year-round training headed up by 20 coaches led by double Olympian, Sam Townsend. Seven podium finishes at the 2026 National Schools Regatta included the 1st VIII claiming the Championship Eights trophy. Impressive performances at Schools’ Head of the River and Henley confirmed Radley’s reputation as one of the schools to beat on the water. Paris Olympic medallists Charlie Elwes (gold), Ollie Wynne-Griffith and Tom George (silver) were first introduced to rowing as pupils at Radley. Sports scholarships (including rowing) are available. 

The founding father of the National Schools’ Regatta, Teddies is fortunate to have exceptional coaching staff (Olympians, world champions, University Boat Race winners, Henley Royal Regatta winners etc), easily accessible facilities on the Thames and an inclusive and encouraging approach to teaching rowing. In 2026, the boys’ 1st VIII were narrowly runners-up in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley and recent years have seen podium finishes from the girls and boys at the NSR and Schools’ Head of the River. Alumni include World Championships medallists and a 2016 Rio Olympian, and there is a successful track record of pupils securing rowing scholarships at US universities, including Berkeley, Brown and Harvard. Sports scholarships (including rowing) available from year 12. 

The St Paul’s grounds run down to the River Thames in west London and its boathouse – which is scheduled for a major rebuild – sits halfway along the course of the famous University Boat Race. Rowing here is high profile and successful. Old boys include world champions, Paris Olympic bronze medallists Freddie Davidson and David Ambler, and Sydney Olympics gold medallist, Simon Dennis. The path from the St Paul’s Boathouse to GB junior and U23 squads is well-trodden, and leavers can find a smoother passage to Oxbridge and the Ivy League thanks to their rowing accomplishments. The boat club has had plenty of its own successes of late, including victories at Boston’s Head of the Charles in 2023, 2024 and 2025, as well as three golds at the NSR and victory in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley in 2026.

Shrewsbury’s boat club was founded in 1866 and has been shaping young elite rowers ever since. Its 14 Henley Royal Regatta wins are testament to this pedigree, although the most recent came in 2007. Two championship titles at the NSR in 2024 showed the school can still mix it at the top, although it has not replicated such success since. Individual rowers have gone on to national and international success for Team GB including 2025 European Championship gold medallist Matt Rowe. The boathouse, on the River Severn, is a shrine to the Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club’s illustrious history as well as a formidable powerhouse containing all the bells and whistles required by elite rowers. We were shown the RP3, which simulates a real boat, and the tank with static boats set up for sculling. The majority of pupils at Shrewsbury are given the chance to row and the school takes on aspiring rowers through its sports scholarship programmes. 

Rowing is a defining feature of this West Midlands school, with the close-knit boat club community firing the ambition of all comers and creating friends for life among pupils. The eye-catching design of the school’s boathouse stands out majestically over the River Severn, with access to a 12km loop of the river for training and competition. Even on the miserable, blustery day we visited, the views were striking, though wind and rain had forced rowers to train inside, albeit on hi-tech rowing machines. Solid performances at recent NSRs and Schools’ Head underlined The King’s rowing prowess. The school has produced four Olympians including Peter Beaumont and gold medallist Zac Purchase. Recent alumnus, Luke Beever, was an unusual undergraduate selection in Cambridge’s winning team at the 2025 University Boat Race. Sports scholarships (including rowing) available from year 12. 

Few state schools manage to achieve rowing excellence due to the long hours and pricey facilities required. Borlase Grammar is a rare exception to that rule. This academically selective coeducational school is also thoroughly sporty and even offers its own elite development programme. Its rowers achieved podium finishes at the 2026 NSR and Schools’ Head, as well as reaching the semi-final of the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley. Alumni include Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Jack Beaumont, and pupils have represented England and GB at junior levels. It is currently raising money for a new boathouse which it will share with Great Marlow School down the road.

With its sweeping riverside location close to where the Henley Royal Regatta takes place, Shiplake is located in the epicentre of British rowing. Specialist training programmes run from the fabulous 2020-built boathouse, the Davies Centre. Six podium finishes at the 2026 NSR and a further six at the Schools’ Head (including three golds). In recent years at Henley, the girls’ eight has twice been runner-up to Headington Rye in the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy and the boys’ eight won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in 2025. Masses of success at junior and senior levels in the European and world championships – in 2025 alone, 13 pupils represented GB, Wales or England in various international rowing tournaments. Highly qualified coaches are supported by aspiring Olympians training out of Leander Club. Alumni include Olympic gold medallists, Will Satch and Ben Hunt-Davis. The school offers sizeable rowing scholarships at year 12. 

‘Rowing is the jewel in the sporting crown’, says our latest review of this girls’ school in Chertsey. All pupils get an introduction to rowing in year 8 and thereafter it’s a main sports option, with those wishing to row competitively placed on the elite programme higher up the school. The Thames boat club, a short distance from the school, opened in 2016 and has seen a fair bit of talent gracing its crews. Recent triumphs have included six podium finishes at the 2026 National Schools Regatta, two victories at the Schools’ Head and a semi-final appearance at Henley. SWPS’s pupils regularly represent GB and England at junior levels and two-time Olympian alumna Hattie Taylor won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Rowing scholarships are available for year 12. 

Other standout schools for rowing include Abingdon School, Bedford School, Eton College, The Grange School, Cheshire, Hampton School, Kew House School, Lady Eleanor Holles, Pangbourne College, Putney High School, Surbiton High School, The Windsor Boys’ School.