Ages 
A traditional English prep school where children are allowed to be children for as long as possible. The banishment of phones definitely helps. These children are instilled with a love of learning and academic rigour, as well as enjoying the broader curriculum of sport, drama, music and learning to run a business selling eggs and produce. And to top it all they are expected to climb trees, get muddy, tear around on their bikes and have adventures outside; lucky them.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 220 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £13,998 - £24,471; Boarding £31,125 - £35,649 pa
- Local authority
- Suffolk County Council
Headteacher
Headmaster
James Large
Since 2023, James Large. Zoology from Southampton followed by PGCE. Suffolk born and has stayed within East Anglia for all of his career. Knew he wanted to teach from age 18, deciding against the military, following in his mother’s footsteps. Started
Entrance
Non-selective with small class sizes, which parents love. Children can join the nursery and then progress through the school. Prospective pupils are invited to experience a day at the school, overnight if older. Assessed informally by the learning
- Open days
- October, March, May
Exit
Virtually unheard of to lose a pupil at the end of year 6. Even those going to state seniors stay until year 8 to get the ‘full experience’. A couple a year go to local grammars in Essex. Two-thirds leave the county with the Rutland cluster being
Latest results
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Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Every child encouraged to experience boarding, particularly higher up the school. The vast majority of years 7 and 8 board at least once a week and every year 8 will board to some degree. The majority weekly board, and even the flexi boarders somehow
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 We are a phone-free school, meaning students are not permitted to use mobile phones during school hours. For our international boarding students, all mobile phones are securely stored at school. Phones are made available when students need to contact home and are promptly locked away again after use to ensure a focused and distraction-free environment.
Pupils
Money matters
Fees are towards the top of the range but include lunch and activities. Individual music tuition is charged separately.
- Fee information
- Day £13,998 - £24,471; Boarding £31,125 - £35,649 pa
Our view
Originally a boys’ prep founded in 1862 in a Lowestoft terrace. After a few moves and two fires the school is now situated in an impressive building surrounded by 85 acres in Brettenham. Long driveway leads to the attractive red-brick mansion sitting
The last word
A traditional English prep school where children are allowed to be children for as long as possible. The banishment of phones definitely helps. These children are instilled with a love of learning and academic rigour, as well as enjoying the broader
