Ages 
The head describes Hatherop as a ‘non-pressurised, down to earth environment’ with ‘no airs and graces’, and happy parents agree, commenting without criticism that while it may not be ‘a polished affair’, it’s a ‘warm, happy and cosy environment’ in which children ‘seem to find their identity’. Mr Reed hasn’t reached the end of his to-do list, but Hatherop is undoubtedly a school on the up.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 285 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £13,785 - £20,955; Boarding £22,470 - £32,940 pa
- Local authority
- Gloucestershire County Council
Headteacher
Head
Mr Nigel Reed
Since 2017, Nigel Reed BSc (sports science), PGCE, MEd (educational leadership). Previously spent five years as director of sport and subsequently deputy head at Wallhampton. His appetite for teaching was whetted during a stint coaching for the Spurs
Entrance
Non-selective. Entrance based on a taster day and previous school reports.
- Open days
- March
Exit
A handful to Dean Close each year. Beyond that, pupils scatter to Marlborough College, Westonbirt, Cheltenham College, Malvern College, St Edward’s Oxford, Abingdon and Millfield amongst others. Five scholarships in 2024.
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
There are beds for 40, but majority living locally means that full/weekly boarding numbers are bound to be on the low side, 15 when we visited. However, new house parents have already whipped up greater excitement about boarding and figures are
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 Pupils are not allowed to bring or use mobile phones in school, except for boarders, who must follow these rules: Phones must be clearly named, used only at prescribed times within the boarding house, protected with a PIN, and boarders must sign the boarders’ mobile phone agreement. VPNs are prohibited. Phones brought without permission will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. The headteacher can intervene if phones are used to bully or intimidate others, both in and out of school, to regulate pupils' behaviour off-site.
Pupils
Money matters
Pupils in years 5 and 6 are invited to sit for scholarships (academic, music, art, drama and sport). Bursaries are offered for families or individual children on application.
- Fee information
- Day £13,785 - £20,955; Boarding £22,470 - £32,940 pa
Our view
Right, let’s deal with this first. ‘Castle’ is a misnomer. Granted, the school building is a supremely elegant 17th-century country residence set in 22 glorious acres, but expectations need to be managed. There’s no moat, no keep and no battlements.
The last word
The head describes Hatherop as a ‘non-pressurised, down to earth environment’ with ‘no airs and graces’, and happy parents agree, commenting without criticism that while it may not be ‘a polished affair’, it’s a ‘warm, happy and cosy environment’ in
