Ages 
A joyful school nurturing compassionate, reflective and hardworking children, well prepared for top-notch senior schools and a meaningful life beyond. No place for brashness or arrogance, but for have-a-go pupils, who are encouraged to 'take it all!’ as one put it. True community spirit.
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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.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 430 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- RC
- Fees
- Day £16,800 - £31,455; Boarding £29,726 - £41,670 pa
- Local authority
- Hampshire County Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
Fr Simon Everson
Since 2004, Fr Simon Everson, previously the school’s chaplain for five years. Educated at Caterham School. When veterinary aspirations derailed, he worked for a year as a mental health auxiliary nurse, then studied theology at Leeds Collegiate,
Entrance
The school describes itself as academically non-selective, but there's a pre-prep taster morning where learning support complete a phonics, reading, language and basic number recognition check. For entry in year 3, reading, writing, spelling and
- Open days
- 20th September 2025 and visits can be arranged at anytime
Exit
Majority move from pre-prep to prep. A few occasionally leave at 11 for independent senior schools that have a year 7 entry point. At 13 they transition to a range of schools. Marlborough and Sherborne Girls' most popular. Others recently to Canford,
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Around half the pupils board. Full, weekly and flexi options from year 3, and there’s a good mix of all three. In year 8, the vast majority board – ‘It’s just what you do,’ said one pupil, ‘everyone looks forward to it, it’s so much fun.’ Flexibility
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 No mobile phones, apart from overseas boarders when travelling to and from school. They hand them in to house parents on arrival in school.
Pupils
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries for existing parents, plus at least two 100 per cent bursaries a year awarded to new pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Fee information
- Day £16,800 - £31,455; Boarding £29,726 - £41,670 pa
Our view
Set in 70 acres of sweeping Hampshire parkland, the school appears like an oasis, the soft Clipsham stone of the main Georgian house the perfect backdrop to the children we saw busy in play and learning throughout the day.
Pre-prep has a
The last word
A joyful school nurturing compassionate, reflective and hardworking children, well prepared for top-notch senior schools and a meaningful life beyond. No place for brashness or arrogance, but for have-a-go pupils, who are encouraged to 'take it all!’
