‘A place to think, breathe and grow’: Tonbridge named as a top school in Carfax Index

Tonbridge is listed as one of the UK’s best independent senior schools in a prestigious international guide for parents.

Complied by Carfax Education, and recently featured in London’s Time Out magazine, the Carfax Schools Index features the top 30 schools delivering “an exceptional educational experience”.

The quality of schools is measured by various metrics including academic results, university destinations, co-curricular opportunities, facilities, preparation for life and each school’s unique ethos.

The Index also takes into account practical information such as transport links and travel times to local airports.

Tonbridge is one of six boys’ schools featured in the top 30. The Carfax Index reflects the impressive choice available to parents within the UK’s independent sector, with 15 co-educational and 15 fully or largely single-sex schools making the final cut.

The Carfax Schools Index writes of Tonbridge: The historic campus, set in 150 acres of Kentish countryside, is a place for boys to think, breathe and grow. As an academically selective school, it proudly celebrates the life of the mind but is also mindful of putting that knowledge into action. 

A $25 million science hub, named after alumni and Nobel prize winner Sir Derek Barton, epitomises this commitment by prioritising science and technology and inspiring a future generation of scientists to develop the tools to create new solutions for solving global challenges. 

Tonbridge is strong on making connections, whether between academic disciplines, the co-curricular programme or between different people and their cultures and this is summed up in their school motto, quoted from alumni EM Forster: “Only Connect”.

James Priory, Tonbridge’s Headmaster, said: “It is pleasing to be recognised as a leading school, not only academically and pastorally, but also for the breadth and depth of our co-curricular programme and commitment to the wider community. Our inclusion in the table is also a further endorsement of Tonbridge as a highly successful boys’ school.”

Other recent accolades for Tonbridge include the Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2024, in which the School was ranked in the top six nationally and as the top boys’ school in the south-east region.

Earlier this year, the School was presented with a Crystal Award and named as a Top Three UK Independent Boys’ Boarding School by Education Advisers Ltd, the consultancy which runs the ‘Best Schools’ league tables and website.

In putting together the Schools Index, Carfax Education’s consultants conduct independent research, visit schools, distribute questionnaires and talk to parents and pupils.