Chairman of Governors: C P Porter
Headmaster: Mr Jonthon Anderson, BA Hons Exeter, QTS
Senior Deputy Headmaster and Deputy Head Pastoral: Mr Paul Barlow, BEd Hons De Montfort
Deputy Head Academic: Dr Ed Canning, BSc Leeds, PGCE Canterbury, PhD
Age range. 3–13.
Number of pupils. Total 220. Pre-Prep, 68. Prep School: 152. Boarding from age 8: 110 Boarders.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Boarders (full and weekly): £11,650, Day: £8,955, Pre-Prep: £4,025–£4,840, Nursery: £940–£3,645.
The Prep School is a day and boarding school set in 50 acres of grounds in North Yorkshire about 6 miles from the A1. It attracts pupils from all over the UK, and our children go on to the country’s leading independent senior schools, many of them in southern England. Some children start as day pupils or weekly boarders to enable them to adjust to boarding gently; some children will remain as day pupils throughout their time at the School. For exeats and half terms there is an escorted train from Darlington to the north and south. International children are offered escorted service to all northern airports.
Children of all abilities are welcomed and academic standards are high. All pupils are prepared for Common Entrance and several gain scholarships. Upon entry, each child is assessed to ensure that any special needs are identified early and given fully integrated specialist help where necessary. Class sizes are typically around 12. Recent developments include newly refurbished science labs, Art & DT block and performance space, and all pupils have access to Chromebooks, particularly at the top end.
The activities in which pupils can participate are enormously varied. The facilities include a new heated indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art sports hall, a climbing wall, 17 acres of excellent playing fields and a floodlit all-weather pitch. Cricket, Netball, Football, Hockey and Rugby are the main school sports, however, there are opportunities to participate in a wide range of other sports including Tennis and Water polo. Music is one of the strengths of the school with more than 75% of children playing a musical instrument and pupils are regularly awarded music scholarships at their senior schools. There are three choirs and the school musicians have regular opportunities to perform both in the school and locally. Each term different year groups produce a play or musical. Art, Design & Technology are taught by specialist teachers from Year 3.
The school has a fine Art & Crafts chapel, and pupils are encouraged to develop Christian faith and values in a positive, caring environment. Pastoral care is the first priority for all staff. The headmaster and his wife, a housemaster and his wife and three matrons, are all resident in the main building. A wide range of exciting activities in the evenings and at weekends ensure that children are keen to board, and they are encouraged to do so particularly in their last two years as preparation for their next schools.
The school aims to encourage boys and girls to be well mannered and courteous, with a cheerful enthusiasm for learning and for life and a determination to make the most of their abilities.
There is also a flourishing Pre-Prep Department including a Nursery for day boys and girls aged 3 to 8.
Charitable status. Aysgarth School Trust Limited is a Registered Charity, number 529538. Its purpose is to provide a high standard of boarding and day education.