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Reviewed

Monkton Prep School

Independent school · Bath, BA2 7ET
  • Primary/prep
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 2-13
  • From £13,860 pa
  • 311 pupils
  • Boarding
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Produces kind, happy children who are confident enough to have a go at whatever is thrown at them. This is a school that goes the extra mile to give all pupils the benefits of a boarding experience with wraparound care, a rich range of activities and busy weeks. In a clustered local market, Monkton is an excellent choice for those wanting to be immersed in a vibrant, rural school experience that can see them through right to the end of their school career.

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.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
311 ·
Offers boarding
Yes ·
Religion
Christian
Fees
Day £13,860 - £26,415; Boarding: £34,875 - £38,475 pa
Linked schools
School ownership
Part of the Monkton family of schools

Headteacher

Head

Mrs Catherine Winchcombe

Since 2020, Mrs Catherine Winchcombe, who joined the school as head of pre-prep in 2016. She’s been a ‘breath of fresh air’, according to one parent, and brought stability to the school after a succession of heads. Has a degree from Homerton,

Entrance

Nursery starts from age 2: school’s aim is for it to become a natural feeder into reception, with parents buying into the ‘Monkton package’. Admission from reception is based on a taster day and informal interview with most gaining a place. From year

Open days
February and May

Exit

Only school in the immediate Bath area to go up to year 8 and the vast majority of pupils now move on to the senior school (circa 90 per cent). Entry to senior school from prep is via an assessment day. Collaborative conversations take place if

Latest results

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

Teaching & learning

16-18
Average class sizes

Boarders

Majority of boarders are UK based with a few from overseas and military postings. Plenty of flexibility to do full, weekly or flexible boarding with majority staying for weekends. Walk into the house and you are greeted by bright, cheerful

43
Total boarders
36
Full time boarders
7
Weekly 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

At Monkton we encourage pupils to look up and out, rather than down. At Monkton Prep we operate a no phones policy, with pupils who need to bring their phones to school handing them in at reception for the duration of the school day. In the boarding house, boarders are allowed their phones for limited periods to enable them to contact home.

Updated Oct 2025

Pupils

311
Number of pupils

Money matters

A few bursaries offered, priority given to children of clergy and missionaries (boarding only). Military discount also available. An Excellence Programme is run for scholarship quality candidates but with no fee discount.

Fee information
Day £13,860 - £26,415; Boarding: £34,875 - £38,475 pa

Our view

Prepare to be blown away by the bucolic setting, enormous cricket pitches and gently sloping lawns (there’s even a treehouse in the grounds). These acres of green space are a key selling point for this school, made even more attractive by being a

The last word

Produces kind, happy children who are confident enough to have a go at whatever is thrown at them. This is a school that goes the extra mile to give all pupils the benefits of a boarding experience with wraparound care, a rich range of activities and

Inspection reports

Monkton Prep School school badge

What the school says

The core of Monkton Prep School is a strong sense of belonging. With a deliberate and purposeful focus on the whole child, we aim to help all students establish a strong foundation and feel secure. As a result, we believe that children are empowered to achieve their very best.

Monkton Prep is dedicated to guiding and supporting our students as they transition from young children to young adults. Our curriculum, facilities and staff are well-equipped to achieve this goal. We aim to help our pupils become confident, responsible and respectful members of society. Whether through play, storytelling, hands-on learning experiences, leadership opportunities or sports, we encourage our students to express themselves, collaborate positively and enjoy learning.

In our open and practical learning environment, indoors and outdoors, students have a fantastic opportunity to thrive. In the pre-prep phase, our interactive classrooms and large outdoor play area allow students to build meaningful relationships and explore in a safe environment. We recognise that every child is unique, and our teaching approach is tailored to meet each child's individual needs, ensuring they reach their full potential.

Our curriculum is designed to be engaging, challenging and flexible, allowing children to pursue their interests and explore their ideas and discoveries. Children are also introduced to various co-curricular activities with specialist teachers, such as music, drama, French, forest school and gym, helping them develop new skills and make friends. As students progress to the older years, the curriculum also evolves, ensuring each child is challenged throughout the learning process. Humanities, languages, STEM subjects and expressive arts – including music, drama, art and design and dance – help foster key attributes within our students to prepare them for future endeavours.

During years 7 and 8, our students can take on various roles within the school. We focus on developing leadership skills during years 6, 7 and 8, and we encourage our students to apply what they learn in real roles. These roles include mentoring younger students, prefects and house captains. Additionally, older students have opportunities for autonomy and independence through programs such as pre-senior baccalaureate, access to personal Chromebooks, participation in the excellence program and the ability to choose elective subjects that expand their learning beyond the core curriculum.

Last updated 04 December 2024

Key links to information you need

Open days

Admissions

Interactive campus map

Lower school (year 1 to 4)

Upper school (year 5 to 8)

Co-curricular activities

Contact the school

Address

Combe Down
Bath
Somerset
BA2 7ET
Get directions

Telephone: 01225 831200

Email: admissions@monkton.org.uk

Website: https://www.monktoncombeschool.com/

Local authority:

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  • All through
  • Co-ed
  • 2-18
  • From £12,930 pa
  • 440 pupils
  • Boarding
Read our review
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School data & information Monkton Prep School Combe Down, Bath, Somerset, BA2 7ET
311 Pupil numbers
43 Total boarders
36 Full time boarders
7 Weekly boarders
16-18 Average class sizes

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

At Monkton we encourage pupils to look up and out, rather than down. At Monkton Prep we operate a no phones policy, with pupils who need to bring their phones to school handing them in at reception for the duration of the school day. In the boarding house, boarders are allowed their phones for limited periods to enable them to contact home.

Updated Oct 2025

This is an independent school and therefore does not have Key Stage 2 SATs results. While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results. 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

Monkton Prep 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

Learning development at Monkton is done in three ways; in-class support, booster groups, and one-to-one or shared tuition in a specially equipped room. The staff are trained to help children with mild/moderate learning difficulties. Learning support is charged as an extra. The school has links with Bath Spa University's education department as well as with Patoss. Extra help is given to dyslexic pupils as well as a range of other learning difficulties by a dedicated and experienced team of staff.

Updated Sep 2018

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 Yes
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 Yes
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 Yes
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
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