Ages 
‘A small community with a big heart’ is how one pupil summed up this school, whose traditional backdrop and outdoor space allow for a free-range lifestyle. No Farrow and Ball painted walls, uber-shiny facilities or slick marketing, but the pupils speak for themselves – bubbly, articulate, polite (and sometimes trilingual). Preserves childhood just that little bit longer, gently preparing pupils for next steps.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 188 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £12,345 - £23,515; Boarding: £29,597 - £34,269 pa
- Local authority
- Kent County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mark Hammond BA(Hons), PGCE, MA
Since September 2023, Mark Hammond, previously head of Bede's Prep for three years and before that, at Skipper’s Hill Manor for five. A local lad and ‘product of the Kent grammar system’. Studied English lit at Manchester; PGCE from Homerton College,
Entrance
From 2+ into nursery (maximum capacity 20), with around two-thirds staying on for reception (the rest heading off to state primaries). Places available at any point but years 3, 5 and 7 most popular. Academically non-selective, with taster days
- Open days
- October, March and May
Exit
Half leave at the end of year 6, mainly for local grammars (of the quarter who sit the 11-plus, over 80 per cent pass, says school). The rest leave at 13+ to a wide variety of independent schools, recently Millfield, Charterhouse, Cranbrook, Sutton
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Around 50 per cent of the prep pupils board. Possible from year 3 (rare), most from year 5. A handful, mainly from London, are weekly boarders. Around 18, mainly local, flexi-board – popular for sport nights and Fridays. The rest, from other parts of
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 in school for day pupils. Boarders are allowed to bring mobile phones to school, but these are looked after by staff. The children have designated 'electronics' time in the evenings to contact friends and family, and then phones are returned into the boarding team’s care.
Pupils
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries offer up to 50 per cent fee remittance. Forces discount of 40 per cent. Sport, music, academic and creative scholarships, with up to 25 per cent remittance (joint also possible).
- Fee information
- Day £12,345 - £23,515; Boarding: £29,597 - £34,269 pa
Our view
‘A best kept secret,’ say parents – and it’s easy to see why, with its understated entrance and winding woodland path, eventually revealing the glorious and quirky house, an 1845 architectural melange in an Elizabethan style with Dutch gables and
The last word
‘A small community with a big heart’ is how one pupil summed up this school, whose traditional backdrop and outdoor space allow for a free-range lifestyle. No Farrow and Ball painted walls, uber-shiny facilities or slick marketing, but the pupils
