10 Best UK Schools For Astronomy Lovers

Lovers of the stars, sky and space have had the option to study astronomy on the curriculum since September 2017, when Pearson Edexcel launched the UK’s first (and currently only) GCSE in the subject. Widely considered the oldest natural science, astronomy involves the study of the solar system and universe, with GCSE students also developing problem-solving, analysis and mathematical skills. It’s a niche (and little-taken) qualification, but one that is fascinating and highly rewarding for anyone interested in the vast galaxy beyond our world.

Fittingly, then, there is a growing number of UK schools with impressive astronomy facilities. Whether for students hoping to understand the astronomy syllabus further or those simply interested in catching a closer glimpse of the night sky, Evie Calver rounds up the schools shooting for the stars with their observatories and telescopes.

10 Best School Observatories and Telescopes In The UK

Westminster School, London

Westminster School, London

This observatory sits on top of Westminster School‘s Robert Hooke Science Centre and houses three instruments as well as the office of the school’s astronomer in residence. The observatory gives pupils the opportunity to observe celestial objects such as nebulae and galaxies through high-quality telescopes. Various A level, GCSE, EPQ and HPQ projects are carried out there, and outreach groups have visited and enjoyed astronomical spectacles. A surprising amount can be seen from the central London observatory (weather permitting), but even on cloudy nights, it remains a great venue for astronomy discussions and is always a special place to be.

Marlborough College, Wiltshire

Marlborough College, Wiltshire

It is no surprise astronomy is a thriving discipline at Marlborough College. The school is located in the Kennet Valley, one of the most ancient sites for astronomy in Europe. It also houses the internationally renowned Blackett Observatory, which provides an inspiring environment to allow pupils to engage in the very latest global astronomical research and debate. Teaching is significantly enhanced by access to the largest telescope in Wiltshire, the Barclay Equatorial. Dating back to 1860, this ten-inch Cooke refractor is also the oldest telescope in the world to be computer controlled following its later restoration. Since 1997, Marlborough’s astronomy department has had a 100 percent pass rate at GCSE, with 93 percent achieving A*-A. Six pupils even have been awarded presidential certificates from the Royal Astronomical Society for placing in the top 12 nationally at GCSE.

Bedales School, Hampshire

Five Bedales students built an observatory in memory of their friend Kadian Harding, who tragically died in a cycling accident. In addition to continuing a tradition of student involvement in construction at the school, building The Kadian Observatory was part of the students’ Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) in outdoor work. Completed with help from friends and teachers, it features a circular structure with red brick walls, a retractable dome and a wooden door carved from hazel grown on the school estate. Inside is a powerful Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 12-inch aperture lens. Located next to the cricket pavilion, the observatory is used by students and staff for stargazing, including the weekly student-led Sky at Night initiative.

Concord College, Shropshire

Concord College, Shropshire

For Concord College’s principal, Dr Michael Truss, astronomy has long been a passion, and he remains a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society following his earlier career as an astrophysicist. The fact that people throughout time have looked up and wondered about the stars, yet there remains so much to learn and discover, draws Dr Truss and his students to the challenge of pursuing scientific discovery. Recent 6.1 student Hayden shares this interest, and set up his telescope on the school’s Hall Meadow. Hayden is originally from Hong Kong and his love of astronomy grew when he arrived at Concord. ‘There was so little light pollution here compared to my home – I could see so many more stars.’ Hayden chose astronomy as a GCSE option and also won top gold in the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. He regularly uses his telescope on the field on clear evenings and has also taken up astronomical photography.

Harrow School, London

Harrow School, London

Named after a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and former Harrow pupil, the Rayleigh Observatory at Harrow School was established in 2013 to promote hands-on astronomy, astrophysics research and observational science. It houses several state-of-the-art telescopes with research-grade optics in a fully motorised and automated dome. Used year-round by pupils from all years – for astronomy GCSE studies as well as co-curricular programmes –  it is regularly open to the public, particularly for special celestial events such as eclipses and comets. The observatory has captured stunning images of hundreds of astronomical objects, including the Orion Nebula in vivid detail, distant galaxies, supernovae remnants and craters on the moon.

Redmaids’ High School, Bristol

Last year, Redmaids’ High School GDST celebrated the tenth anniversary of its observatory. Its state-of-the-art telescope is supplemented on such evenings with a range of stargazing equipment, allowing as many enthusiasts as possible can take part. Head of physics Michael Frohlich says: ‘By learning to operate the variety of telescopes available, students learn a great deal of patience, as the night sky is never in the most cooperative of moods. Our recent location, observation and imaging of the planet Uranus was a highlight, testing the students’ ability to operate and image using our largest telescope.’

Blackheath High School GDST, London

Blackheath High School, London

Partnering with the renowned Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Blackheath High School GDST co-funds a prestigious GCSE in astronomy, which is offered to aspiring physicists from across the borough of Greenwich. Each year, 30 year ten students are selected for the course. Head Natalie Argile explains: ‘It is a real honour to enable students to study such an exciting, challenging and unusual subject. Our partnership stretches and challenges students beyond the standard mathematics and physics curriculum, preparing them for A levels and beyond. It also teaches a range of study skills, from the ability to work independently to preparing for university. Our research demonstrates that students who take GCSE astronomy are more likely to go on to study STEM subjects at university level.’

Abingdon School, Oxfordshire

A four-metre-wide inflatable dome planetarium provides a 360° view of the night sky for Abingdon pupils. Acquired in 2020, it is used to assist current students in their physics lessons, but is also shared with pupils from local primary schools as part of the Abingdon Science Partnership. It is an immersive experience, explains Alice Perry, Abingdon Science Partnership co-ordinator. ‘The planetarium enables the pupils to stargaze without waiting for perfect weather and standing outside late at night in the cold and dark. It supports our astronomy and space teaching, acts as a revision resource and inspires enthusiasm for the subject.’

Stonyhurst College, Lancashire

Stonyhurst College, Lancashire

Stonyhurst College holds a unique place in scientific history. Its Stonyhurst Observatory was established in 1838 and became one of seven principal weather stations in the country about 15 years later. Remarkably, the observatory’s temperature records from 1846 are among the oldest continuous daily readings in the world. Today, Stonyhurst pupils have the extraordinary privilege of using the UK’s oldest working school observatory. Through co-curricular astronomy, they develop critical thinking, scientific literacy and a profound sense of curiosity – continuing a tradition of night sky exploration spanning almost two centuries.