Featured School

King William’s College

Relocate Editorial 8 March 2022

An Island Education for a Global Future

As the only independent school on the Isle of Man, King William’s College and The Buchan School provides parents with choice and strives to offer an education that is distinctive and of the highest quality. It caters for a broad ability range and, through its bursary scheme, provides financial support for families who could not otherwise afford independent education. As a small school, with approximately 380 pupils at King William’s College and 160 at the Buchan, it encourages a strong sense of community which allows individuals to flourish.

“To say that the best times of my life have been at King William’s College would be no understatement: equally, some of the best people I’ve ever had the fortune to meet have been at this school.”

King William’s College, the senior school (11 – 18 years), was founded in 1833. It is forward-thinking and one of the few schools in the British Isles where every student in the Sixth Form studies for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The IB philosophy – particularly its emphasis on the skills and focus on internationalism – is central to the College’s approach and is rightly proud to be one of the most experienced IB schools in the British Isles.

King William’s College is a unique school nestled in a very special setting in the south of the Isle of Man. The view from a window will take in the sea, a medieval castle on one side of the bay and a lighthouse on the other. This is a beautiful Island and a very safe space to live, somewhere where the students can feel very much at home and able to focus fully on their studies. Whether you are local or from the other side of the globe, you will connect easily with this wonderful place.

The College is blessed with highly qualified and well-experienced teaching staff and, with class sizes typically consisting of 12 students at the senior end of the school, its focus on the individual is key to achieving such excellent results. It is widely accepted that the IB is an outstanding qualification and, having taught it since 2002, the College has built up considerable expertise in delivering the Diploma programme. Results are consistently amongst the best in the British Isles, enabling students to go on to leading universities in the UK and around the world.

The academic curriculum is the school’s top priority, but it also has a wide range of other opportunities outside the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to take advantage of the exciting variety of sport and activities on offer, designed to help build confidence and social skills, and allowing students to find something to suit them with the focus on trying new things and challenging themselves. In sport King William’s College has attained excellent results, some at national level. There is also an abundance of musical, theatre and public speaking opportunities to take advantage of, in addition to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

Around 25% of pupils board in the College’s two houses – Colbourne House for boys and School House for girls – comprising around 50 international pupils of more than 20 nationalities. Boarding pupils are part of the College’s vibrant community, developing strong friendships during their time at the school.

Year 7 Academic Scholarships are also offered, as well as Awards in Drama, Music and Sport. Prospective and current pupils have the opportunity to qualify for Scholarships and Awards schemes in early January for entry the following September. Means-tested bursaries are available.