At Ryde School, we have a long and proud history of supporting families who serve in His Majesty's Armed Forces and Diplomatic Services.  We understand that a service life presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to providing a stable and continuous education for your children.

We offer a package for forces families who are in receipt of the CEA allowance paying  £1,237 per term for full boarding, plus additional support in terms of Solent crossings per year.

A Home from Home

Our approach is built on providing an exceptional level of pastoral care, creating a true 'home from home' for our boarding students. We offer a secure, nurturing, and consistent environment where your child can flourish academically, socially, and personally, providing you with peace of mind whether you are serving in the UK or overseas.

Dedicated Pastoral Team: Our experienced and caring houseparents are the cornerstone of our boarding community. They ensure each child feels supported, understood, and valued, fostering a family atmosphere within our boarding houses.

Thriving Community: With a vibrant mix of UK and international students. Friendships forged at Ryde last a lifetime.

Full & Engaging Boarding Life: Weekends are packed with a wide array of activities, from sports fixtures and outdoor adventures across our beautiful island to cultural trips and social events. Of course, for children with a particular passion for sailing our programmes offer pupils unrivalled access on the Solent. 

Understanding the Needs of Service Families

We have a deep appreciation for the demands of military and diplomatic life and have tailored our support accordingly.

Seamless Admissions: Our admissions team is experienced in guiding forces families through the application process, offering flexibility and support to accommodate postings and tight schedules.

Excellent Communication: We ensure you remain a core part of your child's educational journey, no matter where you are in the world. Regular updates, access to our parent portal, and direct contact with house staff and tutors keep you fully connected.

An Idyllic & Safe Location: Our location on the Isle of Wight provides a stunningly beautiful and exceptionally safe environment for your child to live and learn. We are, however, superbly connected. With fast, regular ferry links to Portsmouth and Southampton, we are within easy reach of London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, ensuring straightforward travel arrangements.

Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) 

Ryde School is an accredited school under the MOD's Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) scheme, and we are committed to making a world-class education accessible for service families.

Our inclusive boarding fees are structured to be comfortably within the CEA cap. This means that parents are typically required to pay only the minimum 10% parental contribution

• £1,237 per term for 2025/26, full boarding, inclusive of VAT.
• 40 single journey HoverTravel or Wightlink Fast Cat tickets per academic year included.
• Costs for compulsory school trips included.

Younger siblings in year 6 will also be considered for boarding when they join an older sibling.

We aim to provide transparency and affordability, ensuring there are no financial surprises.

For the most up-to-date fee information and details on how we support CEA applications, please contact our admissions department.

"Sending our son to Ryde was the best decision we've made. The school provides the stability he needs when we are posted overseas. We know he is not just receiving an excellent education, but is genuinely happy and cared for. The communication from the houseparents is fantastic and gives us complete peace of mind."

– Parent, Royal Navy, Testimonial

Arrange a Visit or Find Out More

We believe the best way to experience the unique community at Ryde School is to visit us. We would be delighted to arrange a personal tour for you and your family or a virtual meeting if you are based overseas.

Please contact us for more information to discuss the next step in your children's education at Ryde School joining our other forces families and continuing the long tradition.