Gordon’s School is one of the UK’s top state boarding schools, proud to support military families through the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

A significant number of our boarders are children of serving personnel, and we fully understand the importance of maintaining educational continuity amidst the frequent relocations and operational commitments associated with service life. We welcome families from the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy, offering stability and continuity for children during postings.

Why Military Families Choose Gordon’s

• Higher Priority for residential admission - recognising the importance of stability, Forces families receive priority in the admission process. Please see our Admissions Policy.
• CEA Eligible – As a state boarding school, parents entitled to CEA are only required to contribute 8% of our charges (ie Less than £700 per term). The remaining 92% is covered by CEA.
• Strong Military Heritage – founded in 1885 as the National Memorial to General Gordon, our history is deeply rooted in service and commitment. The students continue the tradition through our parades, marching and the pipes and drums band.
• Outstanding Boarding and Pastoral Care – we understand the challenges faced by service families and provide a stable, caring environment. Currently rated outstanding by Ofsted for the past eight inspections (over 24 years). 
• Close to Key Military Bases and Airports – convenient access from Aldershot, Sandhurst, Pirbright and other major bases. Local airports being Heathrow, Gatwick.
• A Thriving Community – many of our boarders are from Service families, giving children a sense of belonging and shared experience.
• Combined Cadet Force - the CCF forms an important part of the School’s Co-Curriculum programme with all students joining the CCF in Year 10. Students can continue in the CCF during Years 11, 12 and 13 on a voluntary basis.
   

Please click on the image below to hear our Head of Boarding, Sam Cooper and students from Service families speaking on BFBS Radio about boarding at Gordon's.

What is the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)?

The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to help Armed Forces families give their children stability in education, particularly when parents are regularly relocated.

• Available to serving personnel in the Army, Royal Navy and RAF.
• Helps cover the cost of boarding school fees.
• Ensures children experience stability, regardless of postings.
• Further Information can be found here.

Testimonials

What our Service parents say:

'We were, of course, grateful and very pleased that our daughter achieved the GCSE and A Level grades to be offered a place at her choice of Russell Group University. However, it is perhaps in the less tangible benefits such as personal confidence, considerate manners and the ability to engage both with her peers and seniors that we recognise the distinctive influence of the School. ​

'We hope we sowed the seeds of characteristics like these from our daughter’s earliest childhood, but they certainly blossomed whilst she was a boarder at Gordon’s and will surely bear fruit as she continues her studies and finds her place in the world of work. In this way Gordon's School makes a unique and positive contribution to contemporary society…..No parent could ask for more.'​

What our students from Service families say:

Rohje 2025 - 'Boarding is that never ending sleepover. I have had some of the best experiences of my life boarding. You get to spend time with some of your favourite people, amazing friends and staff and people that make living here at Gordon’s like a second home. Once you get tired of them you are able to go home – it’s perfect! Staff here really don’t make you feel like it is a foreign place at all, it is all very friendly and open with all sorts of activities to keep us entertained and support if you feel that little bit home-sick.'

Nathanial 2025 - 'I’d been to seven or eight different schools before coming here so it’s really nice to be in a boarding environment where I could just say ‘yes I’m not going to move from here now’.

'Obviously you live with so many people when you board. You have to see other people’s viewpoints, how they live. It is a massive learning experience in living with other people – the messy ones, the tidy ones. You cannot really make enemies, you have to be friends with everyone'.

'It’s weird because you stay in the same environment, which during the school week is really busy, but at weekends it is so much more relaxed'

Freya 2025 - 'I really like the extra activities and opportunities at Gordon’s – netball, football, hockey, rugby, cadets, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, art, theatre and so many others. For me, it’s the musical opportunities I really like. We have a variety of bands, orchestras and even pipes and drums for the musically minded. We even played a concert tour in Paris with our orchestra last year!

'You are around people all the time and get to know everyone really well, becoming very close. There are always lots of things to do during the school day and then after school everyone hangs out together.'

How to Apply

1. Check CEA Eligibility with your unit HR or MOD.
2. Contact our Admissions Team to discuss boarding options and visit our admissions webpage for details on how to apply .
3. Visit Gordon’s School – see for yourself the environment your child will call home. Open events are held in the autumn term and can be booked via the main school admissions page.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Gordon’s School also recognises that children whose parents are in the diplomatic service and eligible for continuity of education allowance may also experience disruption due to frequent postings.
Those in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) are afforded enhanced consideration in the admissions process, including higher priority placement, a reduced deposit, and a lower parental contribution towards fees.
Please note that eligibility for these provisions is contingent upon confirmation of CEA entitlement.