Ages 
Once children are signed up to the pre-school, pre-prep or prep, it’s hard to see any reason not to keep them at Clifton College until they’re 18. Youngsters at the prep get off to a flying start – no wonder they love the place so much.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 419 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- Multi-faith
- Fees
- Day £13,545 - £26,460; Boarding £25,155 - £44,205 pa
- Local authority
- Bristol City Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Jim Walton
Since 2018, Jim Walton BA PGCE. Educated at the Croft Preparatory School in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick School and the University of Sheffield – ‘because I wanted to do rock climbing,’ he jokes, before adding that he read business studies and
Entrance
Key entry points are pre-school, reception, year 4 and year 7. A parent praised the ‘phenomenal transition’ between preschool and reception – ‘the reception staff came into preschool once a week in the summer term so they got to know the children
- Open days
- Year round
Exit
The vast majority (over 95 per cent) head to the upper school via transfer exams (and scholarship papers for the brightest sparks). The very few who leave the prep midway through go for relocation reasons, such as returning to Europe after a parental
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Boarders
Full boarding is definitely on the up; three years ago there were 12 full boarders but now there are 48. ‘There’s also been a huge increase in the number of services families,’ says the head. ‘We have seven pupils whose parents are in the Gurkhas.’
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phones and other electronic items with internet capability are not permitted in school. Such items belonging to boarders and Year 7 and 8 day pupils should be handed in immediately as pupils arrive at school and remain in Houses at all times, in the care of the Housemaster/mistress.
Pupils
Money matters
Academic, music and sport scholarships are offered at 11+ for entry into year 7. Means-tested bursaries are only offered to pupils who have been successful in obtaining a scholarship.
- Fee information
- Day £13,545 - £26,460; Boarding £25,155 - £44,205 pa
Our view
Founded in 1908 and still fondly known as Butcombe (now the name of the pre-prep), the school occupies some fine Victorian buildings just a couple of minutes’ stroll from the upper school. The site is slightly maze-like but the bright blue tennis
The last word
Once children are signed up to the pre-school, pre-prep or prep, it’s hard to see any reason not to keep them at Clifton College until they’re 18. Youngsters at the prep get off to a flying start – no wonder they love the place so much.
