Marlborough College is the UK’s largest co-educational independent full boarding school. It takes pupils aged 13 to 18. It is situated on the edge of Marlborough town, famous as a beautiful market town with a wide main street. It was founded by Anglican clergymen in 1843 and maintains its Anglican tradition while accepting individual spiritual needs. It emphasises academic achievement, with a wide interest in the arts and also sport. The Master, Louise Moelwyn-Hughes is a noted linguist who taught in the school for many years. Marlborough College aims to prepare its pupils for the world of the future. They have to be ambitious, academically inquisitive, open-minded and aware of their place in society both in the local community and globally. It encourages diversity among the pupils, in the curriculum, and between the school and other organisations. It is in touch with universities and businesses throughout the world.

It has a major fundraising campaign with the aim of providing bursaries for as many students as possible. Most pupils start in Year 9, there are about 190 of them. Overall there are more than 1,000 pupils, coming from about 250 schools from all over the UK and internationally. About 12% of pupils live overseas. There are 16 boarding houses so that each child is known and cared for individually.