Advertisement
The Good Schools Guide
Select search type
No locations matching your search. Try schools.
Showing results for

View all reviewed UK schools Search all UK schools
No articles matching your search.
Photo of Dorset House School
Reviewed

Dorset House School

Independent school · Pulborough, RH20 1PB
  • Primary/prep
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 4-13
  • From £13,800 pa
  • 127 pupils
  • Boarding
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Quiet confidence is on display at this happy and nurturing rural prep. Genuine fluidity across the year groups in sports teams, co-curricular and break times, which is lovely to see. The school and its parent body are supportive and welcoming. ‘I’ll miss the freedom you get here and how small it is,’ confided a year 8.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

Unlock to access
PARTNER GIFT

Spark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts

Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.

Watch Behind-the-scenes of a school review

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
127 ·
Offers boarding
Yes ·
Religion
None
Fees
Day £13,800 - £27,030 pa; Boarding + £47 per night
Local authority
West Sussex County Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Headmaster

Mr Matt Thomas M.Ed, BA (Ed), FRGS

Since 2016, Matt Thomas. Degree in PE, geography and education studies from University of Exeter. Married to Julie, with two children. Formerly deputy head of Moulsford prep in Oxfordshire and previously taught in the comprehensive system. ‘It’s

Entrance

Prospective pupils are assessed on entry via a taster day and former school report. Most join in reception, many coming from the onsite nursery which isn’t formally part of Dorset House.

Open days
See website for details

Exit

Most to Brighton College, Hurst, Lancing College, Newcastle ULS and Seaford College recently. Since September 2025, they are part of the Lancing College family of schools and two leavers moved on to Lancing. Six scholarships in 2025. School at pains

Latest results

There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.

Teaching & learning

5:1
Pupil to teacher ratio
14
Average class sizes

Learning support & SEN

0.79 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
24.6 %
Students with SEN support

Boarders

Monday to Thursday only so not the ticket if you’re after a full boarding outfit. Popular head of music doubles as head of boarding and nearly 60 per cent of years 5 to 8 do some form. Usually between 15 and 30 in most nights. Glorious views out of

37
Total boarders
37
Flexi boarders

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

We do not allow mobile phones in school.

Updated Oct 2025

Pupils

127
Number of pupils

Money matters

Limited number of means-tested bursaries each year, giving between 10 and 30 per cent off fees. Generous sibling discount policy.

Fee information
Day £13,800 - £27,030 pa; Boarding + £47 per night

Our view

The most idyllic and so-very-gentle of settings: the school is based in a 12th-century manor house (mentioned in Pevsner) which sits in the middle of the picture-perfect village of Bury, located in a slight dip, ensuring privacy. Grounds stretch away

The last word

Quiet confidence is on display at this happy and nurturing rural prep. Genuine fluidity across the year groups in sports teams, co-curricular and break times, which is lovely to see. The school and its parent body are supportive and welcoming. ‘I’ll

Inspection reports

What the school says

Dorset House fosters a joyful, adventurous education, prioritising individual growth and character. We cultivate confident, resilient children through a broad curriculum and extensive outdoor learning. Small classes and dedicated staff ensure personalised attention, nurturing both academic excellence and creative expression. Our emphasis on kindness and community creates a supportive environment where children thrive. We aim to equip pupils with the skills and values to succeed in their future endeavours, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Contact the school

Address

The Manor
Bury
Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 1PB
Get directions

Telephone: 01798 831456

Email: info@dorsethouseschool.com

Website: https://www.dorsethouseschool.com

Local authority: West Sussex County Council

View Larger Map

Have you considered?

See all schools
School data & information Dorset House School The Manor, Bury, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1PB
127 Pupil numbers
66/61 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
37 Total boarders
37 Flexi boarders
14 Average class sizes
5:1 Pupil to teacher ratio

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

We do not allow mobile phones in school.

Updated Oct 2025

We do not receive results data for this school. Find out more.

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent leavers' destinations

SEN overview

Dorset House School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

At Dorset House School, we are committed to providing a learning environment that enables all our pupils to experience success in learning and attain their full academic potential.

For some pupils their ability to learn is influenced by the presence of a learning difficulty. Many of these students are bright, enquiring individuals who can learn successfully if a variety of strategies are put in place. This will often mean the use of a differentiated curriculum in the classroom and steps are taken to assess, plan and review, so that appropriate action can be taken to support each child – for example in literacy, numeracy, gross and fine motor skills and other aspects such as study skills.

We aim to meet the individual needs of all pupils and, where necessary, provide additional support for them. A small team of well-qualified and experienced learning development teachers are committed to building self-confidence in their pupils, communicating with their parents, and co-ordinating with teaching staff and outside professional agencies as necessary (eg educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists).

Updated Jan 2018
0.79 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 3%
24.6 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 14.1%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
Our data explained
Advertisement