Leweston Prep School
Leweston Prep
Org 1: IAPS
Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6EN
Telephone: 01963 210790
Open events: https://info.leweston.co.uk/book-a-visit
Key dates: https://www.leweston.co.uk/useful-information/term-dates
Age Range: Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11
Day or Boarding: Day, Weekly Boarding, Full Boarding, Flexi/Occasional Boarding
Gender: Co-ed
Clerk to the Board of Governors: Miss Claire Worsley
Head of Leweston Prep: Mr Richard Thompson, BA Hons, PGCE Oxford Brookes
Deputy Head of Leweston Prep: Mrs E Winter, BA Hons Warwick, PGCE Bath Spa
Age range. 3 months–11 years Co-educational.
Number of pupils. 117 Girls, 106 Boys.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Day: £3,472–£5,767; Weekly (5 nights, Year 4 upwards): £8,180. Full (7 Nights, Year 4 upwards): £9,894.
To see the full list of fees, including flexi packages, please visit our website. Setting. Leweston Prep School is an independent Catholic school for boys and girls with boarding provision from Year 4 and above. The school is situated in 46 acres of Dorset parkland three miles south of Sherborne and occupies an enviable setting in a skilfully converted former Coach House providing a unique range of bright spacious classrooms. The beautiful rural site is shared with Leweston School, offering continuity of education right through to A level. The Prep enjoys the benefit of many excellent facilities including a modern, well-equipped Art and Design Centre, a newly refurbished all-weather sports pitch, a swimming pool, a large sports hall, tennis courts and extensive playing fields. A new Prep Hall opened in September 2019 to support the school’s expansion. Prep pupils take advantage of the specialist teaching in Languages, Art, Maths, Home Economics, Music and Sport. The school opened a new equestrian centre in autumn 2024, offering a variety of livery and riding packages. The parkland setting offers many opportunities for study and recreation. An accredited Forest School opened in September 2017 and every year group has a Forest School session once a week. Ethos. Traditional excellence in teaching is combined with modern facilities and resources in a stimulating, happy and purposeful environment. The school motto ‘Gaudere et Bene Facere’ (Rejoice and Do Well) exactly reflects the importance of high academic standards together with artistic, musical and sporting excellence achieved in an atmosphere of joy and vibrancy. Each child is encouraged to develop individual talents within the caring and supportive school community. A friendly family ethos, and traditional values of work and behaviour are appreciated by parents. Full and flexi boarding options provide flexibility for pupils to enjoy a wide variety of extracurricular activities, while no school on Saturday mornings allows for rest and relaxation. Wraparound care is available from 8.00 am to 5.45 pm.
Curriculum. Programmes of study encompass the National Curriculum without being constrained by it. Basic subjects are taught to a high standard concentrating on literacy and numeracy acquisition in the early years before expanding into a broader curriculum in Years 3–6. Well-qualified class teachers and specialist subject teachers foster independent learning and encourage the development of problem-solving and investigative skills in all areas of the curriculum. Academic standards are high and many pupils gain awards to senior school.
There is a strong tradition in the creative arts and sport. Music and Drama are taught within the curriculum. A high percentage of pupils learn to play musical instruments and take additional Drama. There is a school orchestra and choir and many opportunities throughout the year for performance and grade examinations in both Music and Drama. All pupils in Years 4–6 undertake English Speaking Board assessments. Individual and team sports are considered important as part of the healthy, active lifestyle and the school enjoys a particular reputation for hockey and cross-country. The school is one of only nine Pentathlon Academies in the UK and is regarded as a centre of excellence by Pentathlon GB. Art, Ceramics and Design Technology are taught by specialist teachers using the exceptional facilities in the Art and Design Centre.
Charitable status. Leweston School Trust is a Registered Charity, number 295175. It exists to provide for children a contemporary education in the Catholic tradition.