isbi School Search was founded in 1987 by Pat Carter formerley of the Royal Army Educational Corps. Pat's original focus was on Military Families and how schools can support them.
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child and as a military family, you face unique challenges. Frequent relocations, mid-year transfers, and adjusting to new communities can make finding the right fit feel overwhelming.
We are here to help. Whether you're searching for a school that offers flexible enrollment, understands the demands of military life, or provides strong support for students transitioning between schools, we have listed schools that cater toward options that meet your family's needs.
These schools offer support for military families, including, CEA (Continuity of Education Allowance) discounts and special military packages, dedicated pastoral care, a community feeling with other children from servce family backgrounds and flexible boarding (full, weekly, or flexi).
We have listed a few of the schools and what they offer to help you make the right move for your child.
Shiplake College
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England RG9 4BW
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 11 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Shiplake College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for around 580 pupils aged 11 to 18, overlooking the river near Henley-on-Thames. Flexi, weekly and full boarding is available from Year 7.
Military Families
We're proud to be a 10%+CEA school and support military families.
HM Forces personnel in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), only pay the equivalent of 10% of their full or weekly boarding fees (in addition to the CEA amount received). In 2025-26 this is the equivalent of 26.4% discount for full boarders, or 19.1% discount for weekly boarders. Further details at www.shiplake.org.uk/militaryfamilies
Christ College
Brecon, Wales, LD3 8AF
Private School (Fee Paying), Co-Educational, 4-18 Years, Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
The Christ College school motto, translated into English from Latin, means ‘They achieve because they believe they can’. This remains as true of today’s pupils as it has been throughout the history of the school; developing personal confidence and the willingness to take on new experiences and challenges are among the core aims of the school.
We are delighted to announce an exclusive package for military families in receipt of CEA where families contribute only 10% of our boarding fee in addition to CEA. Click here for more details. Military Families - Christ College Brecon
Farleigh School
Andover, Hampshire, England, SP11 7PW
Private School (Fee Paying), Co-Educational, 3-13 Years, Day & Boarding (Full, Weekly)
Forces Community
With a deep understanding of Service life, we continue to enjoy long and excellent relationships with our armed forces families at Farleigh. We recognise how important it is for your children to have stability at school, particularly when a parent is deployed or overseas.
Of our 150 boarders, about a quarter are from military families. Alongside the teachers, each pupil is supported by our experienced boarding team who ensure that children have round-the-clock pastoral care.
https://www.farleighschool.com/forces-families.php
Kingsley School, Bideford
Bideford, Devon, England, EX39 3LY
Private School (Fee Paying), Co-Educational, 0-18 Years, Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Kingsley School is proud to support British military families and families working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who are looking for a safe, nurturing environment to provide continuation of education.
As the only CReSTeD accredited school in Devon and Cornwall offering boarding accommodation and, located on the stunning North Devon coast in a UNESCO Biosphere and World Surf Reserve, on the edge of both Dartmoor and Exmoor, the opportunities available to your child are countless!
At Kingsley, we offer full boarding for military and FCO families to help support your family’s unique needs. Boarding is available from Year 7 upwards - an exciting time when your child’s adventure truly begins!
https://www.kingsleydevon.com/admissions/forces-families?search=forces
West Buckland School
Barnstaple, Devon, England EX32 0SX,
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 3 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
OUR ETHOS IS FOUNDED ON INCLUSIVITY AND CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Here at West Buckland School, we provide dedicated support to British Military families throughout every aspect of school life, from Nursery to Year 13. Our focus on exceptional pastoral care ensures that all students and their families experience a sense of stability and security within our close-knit community. We offer full boarding from Year 7, and weekly boarding from Year 4.
https://westbuckland.com/admissions/military-families/
Port Regis School
Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England SP7 9QA
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 3 - 13 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Choosing the right school when you’re posted away is a big decision, and we positively encourage parents to visit more than one school to be sure of their decision.
We are, however, entirely confident that Port Regis is a school where parents will feel reassured, included and fully supported and where their children will flourish.
We also understand the unique financial pressures that armed forces families may face and the administrative complexities of applying for the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).
https://www.portregis.com/armed-forces-families
Canford School
Wimborne, Dorset, England BH21 3AD
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 13 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full)
A number of pupils from HM Forces families join Canford each year. They are attracted to the school by the full boarding model, where on average at least 80% of boarders are in school each weekend, excellent academic achievement, a supportive school community of strong pastoral and wellbeing care, a wealth of co-curricular opportunities including an award winning CCF and impressive facilities set within 250 acres of stunning landscaped grounds in beautiful Dorset. A number of our teaching and house staff being ex-military is also reassurance for families that the school has an understanding and awareness of the unique situation that children of HM Forces parents are in.
See more here: Fees and Finance - Canford School
Castle Court Preparatory School
Knoll House, Knoll Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset, England BH21 3RF
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 2 - 13 Years Day
Your child’s success is central to everything we do. We aim to be both inspirational and nurturing. We are also aware that we are preparing your child for a world that is ever changing, and a world of work that may not even have been devised. Our curriculum enables the children to have cross curricular learning, but more than this, it gives children access to an individualised differentiated approach to learning.
Dean Close School St Johns
Castleford Hill, Tutshill, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales NP16 7LE
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 0 - 14 Years Day & Boarding (Full)
The Dean Close Foundation has been welcoming the children of members of the Armed Forces since 1886 and we are proud to have several serving and retired military personnel on our Board of Trustees as well as members of teaching and support staff. Currently, the Foundation has over 150 children of military parents, from all ranks and military disciplines, across our schools.
Whilst we have no direct contact or contract with the MOD, the Foundation accepts parents using the Continuity of Education Allowance.
Forces Families - Dean Close St John's School
Millfield School and Prep
Street, Somerset, England BA16 0YD
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 13 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Full, Weekly)
We are pleased to announce that we have created an exclusive package for military families in receipt of CEA, where families pay only 10% of our boarding fee in addition to CEA
We value our service families and in recognition of your service we offer this significant reduction in school fees.
https://www.millfieldschool.com/admissions/military-families
Dauntsey's
West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, England SN10 4HE
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 11 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Dauntsey’s is a leading co-educational boarding and day school for 11-18 year olds set in an estate of one hundred and fifty acres of idyllic countryside on the northern edge of Salisbury Plain.
See our welcome to Military Families here:
Welcoming Military Families to Dauntsey's - Dauntsey's School Wiltshire
St Marys Calne
63 Curzon Street, Calne, Wiltshire, England SN11 0DF
Private School (Fee Paying) Girls 11 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Full)
Military Families
We understand the unique challenges faced by military families. As a full boarding school, we provide a nurturing environment where girls flourish academically, personally and socially, with a busy and fulfilling weekday and weekend programme. Within our warm, supportive and kind community every girl is supported, celebrated and encouraged to be herself.
Visiti here for more information: Military Families - St Mary's Calne
Kingswood
Lansdown, Bath, Somerset, England BA1 5RG
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 11 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Our offer for Forces and FCDO families is one of the most generous amongst UK independent schools – those in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance pay only 10% of the full boarding fees.
For more information click here: Supporting HM Forces & FCDO families - Kingswood Bath School
Monkton Senior School
Monkton Combe, Bath, Somerset, England BA2 7HG
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 13 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Monkton has a proud tradition of supporting the families and children of those serving in the British Armed Forces since our foundation in 1868. At Monkton, we believe pastoral care is the cornerstone of achievement. Our teaching, care and support equips our students with the knowledge and self-awareness to be the best they can be. Boarding is at the heart of the School, with one boarding house at the Prep School, and six at the Senior School, each reflecting the spirit and ethos of the School, whilst exuding its own personality generated by its pupils and houseparents.
Admission information: Military Families | Monkton Combe School
The Royal High Bath, GDST
Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset, England BA1 5SZ
Private School (Fee Paying) Girls 3 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
For over 150 years, we have proudly supported the daughters of Forces families. The Royal School was founded in 1865 for the daughters of Officers of the Army. Queen Victoria was one of our original patrons, and Florence Nightingale recommended the appointment of our first Head.
We understand the unique challenges military life can bring and provide a secure, stable, and caring home-from-home environment.
Financial Support
Families in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) pay only 10% of the school fees.
See here: Armed Forces Families - Royal High School
Luckley House School
Luckley Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, England RG40 3EU
Private School (Fee Paying) Co-Educational 11 - 19 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Luckley offers a further 10% discount for UK Armed Forces and HM Foreign Office parents providing proof of receipt of ‘Continuity of Education Allowance’ if not receiving further concessions.
Please contact the Bursary for information. bursar@luckleyhouseschool.org
St Swithun's School
Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, England SO21 1HA
Private School (Fee Paying) Girls 3 - 18 Years Day & Boarding (Flexi, Full, Weekly)
Military discount
We offer a number of 20% boarding bursaries to new regular HM Armed Forces and diplomatic service families drawing CEA and joining the school to reduce the financial burden of boarding fees. This is not means tested but is subject to the usual admissions criteria being met.
Fee information found here: Senior and Sixth Form Fees | Admissions | St Swithun’s School, Winchester
We will be adding to this page all the time, please message us if you are looking for a school in a particular area. Schools@isbi.com
