Ages 
A prep that sets out to make childhood last as long as possible but does a great job of developing pupils’ independence along the way. If the sparky children we met were anything to go by they’re succeeding in their mission.
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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
- 206 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £10,620 to £21,060; Boarding £30,384 to £32,148 pa
- Local authority
- Devon County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head of prep
Mr D Floyd
Since 2016, Dominic Floyd, previously assistant head of Hazlegrove. Educated at the Dragon in Oxford, Farleigh, where his father was head, and Worth School. Headship clearly runs in the family because his brother Adrian is headmaster of The
Entrance
Non-selective. The main entrance points are reception, year 3 and year 7. No written assessments for reception to year 6 entry but children attend a taster day. For entry into year 7 an assessment day is held in February and a letter from children’s
- Open days
- September
Exit
Very few, perhaps two or three a year, leave at 11+, sometimes for the grammars in Plymouth. At 13+ the majority cross the road to the senior school but around five per cent opt for other schools in the south west, including Sherborne, Sherborne
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Boarders
Boarding from year 3 is homely and nurturing, with boys and girls housed on separate sides of the first floor of the school. Around 22 full and weekly boarders when we visited but numbers are boosted by children who come for one or two nights at a
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 in Year 6 and below may not bring any mobile devices to school, unless with the explicit permission of a member of staff. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 may bring laptops or iPads to school, in accordance with the Bring Your Own Device policy, but may not bring mobile phones. Pupils in Years 9 to 13 are permitted to bring mobile phones and digital devices to school, but that their use is subject to our guidelines.
Pupils
Money matters
Swimming scholarships are offered for prep children from year 7. Bursaries are advertised locally when available.
- Fee information
- Day £10,620 to £21,060; Boarding £30,384 to £32,148 pa
Our view
The school’s location is idyllic – an elegant Georgian mansion set on a hill, with a river at the bottom, far-reaching views across the Tavy valley and to the senior school over the road. When we walked up to the prep on a blustery autumn day,
The last word
A prep that sets out to make childhood last as long as possible but does a great job of developing pupils’ independence along the way. If the sparky children we met were anything to go by they’re succeeding in their mission.
