What are our top British boarding schools for tennis?
One of the many reasons to consider a boarding school in England is the quality of their sports provision. All our schools have excellent facilities, and make time within and alongside the curriculum to support all students to enjoy a wide range of physical activities, but some specialise in certain sports. In no particular order, here are our top British boarding schools for tennis.
With facilities including 3 indoor Plexipave courts, 6 outdoor floodlit clay courts and a Strength and Conditioning Suite, Bradfield College was awarded Berkshire LTA Tennis School of the year and Regional Tennis School of the year 2023.
Its success is centred around the Performance Programme, which provides pupils competing in LTA, TE and ITF events the opportunity to train 12 hours per week on court, plus 2 S&C sessions supported by UKSCA instructors. All this happens alongside pupils’ academic studies and commitments, many of whom go on to achieve US scholarships, or to secure places at some of the UK’s leading tennis universities.
The Co-Curricular Tennis Programme provides opportunities for pupils of all abilities to play tennis throughout the year in coached and supervised club activities. Training weekly with the school’s own coaches, 42 teams represent the College in singles and doubles fixtures at LTA Schools Competitions.
Culford School’s Tennis Academy provides first-class training and coaching opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. It is an LTA Regional Player Development Centre with 6 outdoor courts, 4 championship standard indoor courts, 2 indoor courts covered by a single skin air-hall, a Strength and Conditioning Suite and fitness studio.
Consistently ranked within the top 3 boys’ and girls’ schools in Great Britain, there are opportunities for all pupils to be involved in the sport, offering 8 different levels varying from squad to individual sessions based on the player’s ability, potential, desire to succeed and progress.
Pupils on the performance tennis programme have regular sessions scheduled around their academic timetable. Although a large portion of their day will be focused on tennis, it is expected that players remain up to date with their academic work, and they have full support from teachers and their tutor to do so.
Tennis is an integral part of the Physical Education and Recreation curriculum at Ellesmere College, with access to the facilities and coaching available to all pupils, whatever their current level in the game. LTA qualified coaches deliver a structured programme each week across the 6 floodlit hard courts, 4 indoor acrylic performance courts, up to 9 all-weather courts and the Fitness Suite.
The Academy has 4 participation sections: Recreational, with the emphasis on developing new skills whilst having fun; Development, for selected players showing team potential, who are offered a place in a regular weekly training squad; Performance, the next step as pupils move up through the school, and Elite, for a small group of selected highly-rated players competing at or above high county standard, as well as representing the College in National Competitions.
Repton School offers extensive tennis provision for players of all ages and ability at the Repton Tennis & Rackets Club, an LTA Accredited club situated within the school offering high standard coaching, social play and competition on 2 indoor courts and 12 floodlit outdoor hard courts.
Recreational players are offered training twice a week and the opportunity to represent the school in regular fixtures. Tennis is the main sport for girls during the Summer Term, with boys’ tennis catered for by Senior and Junior Squads. For pupils who wish to play year-round, there is a performance programme led by LTA accredited coaches providing outstanding athletic development and academic support. The Elite Squad trains on a daily basis and includes players with international rankings travelling on the ITF and TE Circuit; the Performance Squad is composed of players considered to have the potential to become County, Regional or National standard players, while the Development Squad is for players of all ages and abilities.
With so much choice, and so much to consider aside from being our top British boarding schools for tennis, speak to a British boarding school consultant for the best advice on boarding schools in England, Scotland and Wales. Contact Gina now.
