Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, established on July 28, 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, is one of the oldest boys' boarding schools in Asia. (bishopcottonshimla.com) Located in the picturesque Shimla Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India, the school has a rich history and a commitment to providing quality education to boys aged 8 to 18. (bishopcottonshimla.com)
History
Bishop Cotton, a scholar from Westminster School and a Cambridge University graduate, founded the school with the vision of creating a public school in a hill station. The first student, Frederick Naylor, joined on March 16, 1863. (bishopcottonshimla.com) The school moved to its current location in Knollswood in 1868, after the foundation stone was laid by Viceroy Sir John Lawrence in 1866. (bishopcottonshimla.com)
Academic Programs
Bishop Cotton School offers a comprehensive curriculum for classes IV to XII. The Junior and Middle School years (Classes IV to VIII) lay the foundation for key examination years, allowing students to choose from a full list of subjects available for the Board exams for ICSE. (old.bishopcottonshimla.com) In Classes IX and X, students select subjects with English, Environmental Education, and Social Studies being compulsory. For Classes XI and XII, the ISC examination subjects include English, Hindi, Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounts, Commerce, Political Science, and Geography. (old.bishopcottonshimla.com)
Achievements
The school has a legacy of academic excellence, with a history of 100% success rates in board examinations. (en.wikipedia.org) It has been ranked among the best boys-only residential schools in India by media outlets such as The Times of India, Outlook, and Education World. (en.wikipedia.org)
Infrastructure
The 35-acre campus is set amidst the scenic Shimla Hills, providing a serene environment for learning. (old.bishopcottonshimla.com) The Main School Block, a classic example of colonial-era architecture, houses classrooms, administrative offices, and the library. (audiala.com) The chapel, with its stained-glass windows and wooden pews, serves as a place of worship and a venue for assemblies and cultural performances. (audiala.com) The campus also includes cricket and football fields, hockey pitches, tennis courts, and athletics tracks, set against a backdrop of pine and deodar forests. (audiala.com)
Faculty
The school boasts a dedicated and experienced faculty committed to the holistic development of students. The teaching system is backed by a remedial address system, ensuring that every teacher is accessible at any time if a child seeks help. (en.wikipedia.org)
Admission Process
Admissions are open from Class IV upwards. The school conducts entrance exams at centers in Shimla and Delhi, with additional centers in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Kathmandu on demand. The next entrance test dates are Shimla – Saturday, 27th September 2025, and Delhi – 4th October 2025. (bishopcottonshimla.com)
Facilities
- Library: The Main School Block houses the library, providing a vast collection of books for students. (audiala.com)
- Computer Lab: Equipped with modern systems to facilitate digital learning.
- Sports Grounds: The campus includes cricket and football fields, hockey pitches, tennis courts, and athletics tracks. (audiala.com)
- Science Laboratories: Well-equipped labs for practical learning in science subjects.
- Smart Classrooms: Classrooms equipped with modern teaching aids to enhance the learning experience.
Board
The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), offering the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations. (en.wikipedia.org)
Grades
The school offers education from Class IV to Class XII, catering to students aged 8 to 18. (bishopcottonshimla.com)
Website
For more information, visit the official website: (bishopcottonshimla.com)
For admissions inquiries, contact: [email protected]
Fees
Specific fee details are not provided in the available sources. Prospective students and parents are advised to contact the school directly for the most accurate and up-to-date fee structure.
Established
The school was established on July 28, 1859. (bishopcottonshimla.com)
Medium
The medium of instruction is English.
Type
Bishop Cotton School is a private boarding school for boys. (en.wikipedia.org)
Notable Alumni
- Ruskin Bond: Renowned author.
- General Akhtar Abdur Rahman: Military governor of Baluchistan and head of Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan.
- A. S. Dulat: Former R&AW chief and director of Intelligence Bureau.
- Sir Palden Thondup Namgyal: 12th and the last king of the Kingdom of Sikkim.
- Jigme Palden Dorji: 1st Prime Minister of Bhutan.
- David Sadleir: Former Australian diplomat and 9th Director-General of Security, Australia.
- William Kirkpatrick: MP for Preston (Conservative), 1931.
- Major Roy Farran: DSO, MC with Two Bars, served with 3rd Squadron, 2 SAS.
- Melville de Mellow: Padma Shri, Prix Italia, broadcaster. (en.wikipedia.org)
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, providing a nurturing environment for boys to grow academically, socially, and personally, preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century.