Horris Hill School A GSG School

- Horris Hill School
Newtown
Newbury
Berkshire
RG20 9DJ - Head: Mr Rob Stewart
- T 01635 40594
- F 01635 39586
- E [email protected]
- W www.horrishill.com
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 13.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Hampshire
- Pupils: 123
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £12,732 - £27,705; Boarding £24,495 - £43,920 pa (last updated on 07/01/2025)
- Open days: See website for details
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Tucked away up an unassuming lane through pretty woodland, it’s hard to fault the heavenly rural setting. ‘The acreage to pupil ratio is unique,’ as one dad puts it; fewer than 120 pupils have 65 acres through which to roam, perfect for celebrating Winnie the Poor Day recently. ‘If we weren’t in here talking to you, we’d be out playing rugby,’ boys told us, no beating about the bush. Nonetheless, parents point out, ‘They’re not getting them into Winchester without some pressure, you can’t play in the woods for the rest of your life’. We saw engaging teaching methods; one group, all boys, sang us a catchy song about quadratic formulas to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’.
What the school says...
The school is set in 65 acres of beautiful countryside, providing a peaceful environment for learning. With both the physical and mental benefits of outdoor learning well known, regular opportunities to take the classroom outside are embedded within the curriculum. Tennis courts, a swimming pool, a cricket pitch and athletics track are just some of the facilities for pupils to enjoy, while those interested in music can take lessons and perform in the school’s innovative theatre space. The school offers exceptional pastoral care in cosy, homely boarding houses, and has sent leavers to some of the country’s top senior schools. ...Read more
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Sports
Fencing
Shooting
Sailing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since 2022, Rob Stewart, previously head of Oratory Prep School. Boarded at the Dragon and St Edward’s before theology at Durham, PGCE at Cambridge, MA (education management) at KCL. Five years at Ampleforth and then 15 at Eton, including four as housemaster (immediate kudos in the prep school world). ‘Moving to prep schools was an interesting challenge, early years was a steep learning curve’, he says happily, interacting easily with the littles as he moves around the school. Still teaches English, history and TPR (a ‘culture shock’ after theology with the King’s Scholars). A practising Catholic, he also does the majority of preaching in chapel: ‘It’s a way of exploring stories,’ he says.
His CV may be solidly establishment, but he’s leading Horris Hill through the most progressive time in its...
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Special Education Needs
At Horris Hill we are committed to providing an inclusive environment in which all children are valued as individuals. We have high aspirations for our children to achieve their best and become confident individuals living fulfilling lives. Our aspirations apply to all children including those who may have additional needs. At Horris Hill we identify and provide support across the wide range of Special Educational needs a child may have. These additional needs may take the form of physical and sensory needs, communication and interaction difficulties, social and emotional difficulties or cognition and learning difficulties. We strive to deliver an inclusive curriculum that removes barriers to learning and participation by providing an education that is appropriate to all pupils’ needs, through Quality First Teaching. In some cases, children may require additional support beyond what can be offered in whole class teaching. This can include a targeted, one-to-one or small-group intervention to provide the intensive focus required for the child to make progress. This is generally on a short-term basis, with the aim of the reintegration of support back into the class.
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 |
Y |
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 |
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Winchester College | 2024 | 3 | ||
Abingdon School | 2024 | 2 | ||
Harrow School | 2024 | 2 | ||
Marlborough College | 2024 | 2 | ||
Radley College | 2024 | 2 | ||
Brighton College | 2024 | 1 | ||
Bryanston School | 2024 | 1 | ||
Eton College | 2024 | 1 | ||
Rugby School | 2024 | 1 | ||
St Edward's Oxford | 2024 | 1 | ||
St Gabriel's School | 2024 | 1 | ||
The Oratory School | 2024 | 1 | ||
Uppingham School | 2024 | 1 |
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