Ages 
Dumpton’s mission is to nurture confidence to enable pupils to flourish. ‘There will never be a no, just have another go,’ as one pupil summed up. Recognised for developing character, this popular outdoorsy prep is proudly holding on to these superpowers as it merges with Canford.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 328 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £12,690 - £22,686 pa
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Area guides
- School ownership
- The Canford Schools Group
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr CJ Saenger
Since 2019, Christian Saenger, previously deputy head academic at York House School in Herts. English degree from UCL, followed by Teach First programme. Taught in ‘challenging London secondary school’ before moving to a prep, which he ‘loved’. Says
Entrance
From age 2+ into nursery. Academically non-selective, but informal assessment before a place is offered. Most common entry points are years 3, 5 and 7. No current waiting lists so worth enquiring about in-year applications too.
In September 2025,
Exit
A handful leave at 11+, mainly to local grammar schools, notably Poole and Parkstone. At 13+, 50 per cent to Canford, others mainly to local schools and a few to Wellington and Winchester. In 2025, 23 scholarships.
Latest results
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Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Pupils
Money matters
Fees comparable with other local preps. When we visited, 24 pupils were in receipt of a small means-tested bursary. An unpublicised number of scholarships are offered (very rarely) for exceptional talent academically or in art, sport or performing
- Fee information
- £12,690 - £22,686 pa
Our view
Once a rural pig farm, the peaceful 26-acre school site is located just a mile from the village of Wimborne. Complete with ducks, dogs and a tortoise, the idyllic grounds are also home to allotments where children produce food that is sometimes
The last word
Dumpton’s mission is to nurture confidence to enable pupils to flourish. ‘There will never be a no, just have another go,’ as one pupil summed up. Recognised for developing character, this popular outdoorsy prep is proudly holding on to these
