Ages 
Situated on 55 acres in bucolic Swanbourne, this thriving, non-selective, coeducational preparatory school offers excellent flexible and full boarding options. The vibe is family-feel and outdoorsy combining traditional warmth with forward-thinking approaches. Academically, Swanbourne fosters an atmosphere of support and challenge without unnecessary pressure so pupils can enjoy precious childhood.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 254 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £20,748 - £26,424; Boarding £33,669 - £36,018 pa
- Local authority
- Buckinghamshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mr Nick Holloway
Since September 2023, Nick Holloway. Educated at St Andrew’s, Pangbourne where he boarded from 11, then Canford School where he’s been a governor for the past eight years. Swanbourne is his first headship
He studied archaeology at Newcastle
Entrance
Pupils can join non-selective nursery (here called pre-reception due to heightened focus on formal preparation for school) from third birthday. All pupils are expected to do at least seven sessions and most do four or five full days. Taster sessions
- Open days
- December
Exit
Nearly all stay until year 8 and go on to the big boarding schools within an hour’s radius. Unsurprisingly, Stowe is consistently the most popular given proximity and that it’s in the same group (and a discount – 10 per cent for borders and 5 per
Latest results
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Learning support & SEN
Boarders
One of the few co-ed full and flexi boarding prep schools in the country, with spacious, clean dorms decorated in muted colours. International boarders from countries such as China, Thailand, Spain and Japan are separated for better mixing. Girls are
Pupils
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries and five 110 per cent bursaries are available from year 7 across the Stowe Group (with a commitment to continue through senior school at Stowe).
- Fee information
- Day £20,748 - £26,424; Boarding £33,669 - £36,018 pa
Our view
Swanbourne House is a co-ed prep, ages 3 to 13, in the rural village of Swanbourne, a stone’s throw from Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. Set in 55 glorious acres of land, the main building is an impressive Victorian mansion with romantic white walls and
The last word
Situated on 55 acres in bucolic Swanbourne, this thriving, non-selective, coeducational preparatory school offers excellent flexible and full boarding options. The vibe is family-feel and outdoorsy combining traditional warmth with forward-thinking
