Bryanston Prep A GSG School
- Bryanston Prep
Durweston
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 0PY - Head: Mr Simon Ridley
- T 01258 452065
- E [email protected]
- W www.bryanston.….uk/prep-school
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 13.
- Read about the best schools in Dorset
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Dorset
- Pupils: 133
- Religion: Anglican
- Fees: Day £10,614 - £19,443; Boarding £26,133 - £29,859 pa (last updated on 25/01/2025)
- Open days: See website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- Linked schools: Bryanston School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
'The school hasn’t lost any of its charm but the children really benefit from being able to use the facilities at the senior school,’ a parent told us. The only gripe was that the girls’ distinctive and much-loved red dungarees of old have gone by the board and have been replaced by a smart new navy uniform. ‘It was really sad,’ said one girl about the disappearance of the dungarees, although another piped up: ‘They were fine when I was in year 5 but I mentally grew out of them...’
What the school says...
Bryanston Prep, set within the 400-acre Bryanston School Dorset estate, blends tradition with innovation to offer an all-through education. With a rich curriculum spanning academics, arts and sports, pupils thrive in an environment that develops creativity and personal growth. The school’s outdoor learning, equestrian programme and high performing sports programme provide unique opportunities, while state-of-the-art senior school facilities enhance learning. Full and flexible boarding, plus daily local buses, make it accessible for families. With a forward-thinking education, built on a strong Bryanston ethos, Bryanston Prep prepares children for life while celebrating childhood, ensuring a seamless transition to senior school. ...Read more
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Other features
Music and dance scheme - government funding and grants available to help with fees at selected independent music and dance schools.
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since November 2023, Simon Ridley, previously deputy head. He began his career in education as a gap student at an independent school before becoming a year 2 teacher at Merley First School in Wimborne. He then moved to Ballard School in New Milton, progressing from key stage 2 teacher to subject coordinator to head of the lower prep. Prior to his teaching career he was a professional cricket player at Cork County in Ireland.
Entrance
Academically selective, the school seeks a reference from a child’s previous school and asks applicants to take part in an age-appropriate assessment before they start so they can identify strengths and weaknesses. Children can join at any time as long as there’s room but the main entry points are nursery, reception, year 3 and year 7 (a few arrive in year...
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Special Education Needs
Bryanston Prep has high expectations for all pupils and aims to ensure the development of the whole child, helping each pupil fulfil their full potential through effective teaching and learning. The Learning Support department co-ordinates support programmes for pupils beyond whole class teaching - this includes short term small group work to embed their learning, regular 1:1 work to overcome barriers to learning, EAL lessons and gifted and talented activities.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
|
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| Not Applicable | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryanston School | 2024 | 8 | 72% go to the senior schools. 2 x riding exhibitions, 2 x performing arts, 2 x sports, 1 x art and 1 x music | |
| Clayesmore School | 2024 | 3 | 1 x performing arts, 1 x academic, 1 x all rounder | |
| King's Bruton | 2024 | 1 | 1 x academic | |
| Leweston School | 2024 | 1 | 1 x drama | |
| Sherborne Girls | 2024 | 1 | 1 x academic | |
| Shrewsbury School | 2024 | |||
| Warwick School | 2024 |
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