Northampton High School GDST
Same Buckinghamshire area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Thornton College is a private secondary-stage school in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, with a published age range of 3-19.
Private school Girls Ages 3-19 Sixth form Boarding school
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-19
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
Thornton College
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Girls only
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-19
- Boarding ?
- Boarding school
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
Compassion, respect and service connect Thornton College's present with its 1917 foundation by the Sisters of Jesus and Mary. The Catholic girls' education runs from pre-prep and prep through the senior school and sixth form, with day and boarding places for ages 3 to 19. The original manor remains part of a story that has continued to grow rather than being replaced.
Thevenet Wing opened for pre-prep in 2002, an expressive arts studio followed in 2008, and the St Clare Building added science laboratories and prep classrooms in 2010. Sixth-form refurbishment came in 2016, followed by the Eco Park for outdoor learning in 2019. The Villa now provides Year 13 boarding accommodation, linking newer teaching and residential spaces with the historic setting.
Sixth-form pupils meet tutors to choose courses from different examination boards. Named subjects include Art, Craft, Design and Photography, History and Sociology, with teaching focused on independent analysis, critical thinking, evidence-based argument and preparation for higher education. Small classes, specialist facilities, creative and performing arts, languages, sport and outdoor learning complete the wider offer.
Boarding takes place in the Manor House and the Villa, with evening and weekend activities, supervised prep and support from the boarding team. On 23 September 2025, the relevant Standards were met across leadership, education, welfare and boarding. Thornton's identity rests on a connected all-through route, a Catholic ethos and residential provision that remains part of daily life.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- 84.8% grade 5+ in English and maths and 62.2 Attainment 8
- Sixth form
- Sixth form available with 31.3% AAB or better.
GCSE benchmark
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Buckinghamshire and England.
School Local authority England
- Attainment 8
- 62.2
- Grade 5+ English and maths
- 84.8%
- EBacc APS
- 5.40
- EBacc entry
- 34.8%
Attainment 8 trend
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Buckinghamshire and England.
School Local authority England
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Girls only
- Age range
- 3-19
- Head of Thornton College
- Dr Louise Shaw
- Pupil roll
- 315 pupils
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Boarding
- Boarding school
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- Convent of Jesus and Mary, Thornton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
- Postcode
- MK17 0HJ
- Area
- Buckinghamshire
School leadership
- Head of Thornton College
- Dr Louise Shaw
School contact
- School phone
- 01280812610
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01280812610
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-19
- Gender
- Girls only
- Boarding
- Boarding school
- Day fees
- Check school fees page
- Boarding fees
- Check school fees page
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Check school site
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
- Papers and stages
- 2 stages
- Format
- Interview stages
Papers and rounds
-
Round 1
Interview
Sixth Form entry interview
It is also a requirement for families and prospective students to have an interview with our Headteacher, Dr Shaw.
-
Round 2
Interview
Prep School entry interview
Step 3 Interview Following a successful taster visit, we will invite your daughter along with parents to a interview with our Headteacher, Dr Louise Shaw.
Published assessment components
Interview is listed across the school's published assessment routes.
Published
-
Interview
It is also a requirement for families and prospective students to have an interview with our Headteacher, Dr Shaw.
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Results
Results
Attainment snapshot
- Attainment 8 ?
- 62.2 Attainment 8
- GCSE results
- 87% grade 4+ in English and maths
- Grade 5+ English and maths ?
- 84.8% grade 5+ in English and maths
- EBacc average point score ?
- 5.40 EBacc APS
- A-level results
- 31.3% AAB or better
- A-level average points
- 39.75 A-level points per entry
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 23 September 2025
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2025 records an inspection beginning 23 September 2025. The report says the relevant standards were met.
Similar schools and comparisons
Similar schools and comparisons
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Nearby schools with similar results
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
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Shortlist comparisons
Explore this school in context
Private schools near Buckinghamshire
Independent secondary-stage school profiles with direct-application, age range and boarding context.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
Private schools near Buckinghamshire
Independent secondary-stage school profiles with direct-application, age range and boarding context.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Thornton College handle admissions?
Thornton College handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Thornton College?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Thornton College?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Thornton College?
Thornton College is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 23 September 2025.