Age range. 2 years–13 years.
Number of pupils. 130 (approximately).
Fees per term (2024-2025). £3,390–£5,997.
Sunninghill is a co-educational day school of approximately 130 children with single-form entry throughout the school from Nursery to Year 8. Classes are deliberately small so we can focus on the academic and personal development of the individual. This helps us fulfil our mission which is to find the unique brilliance of every child.
The School was founded in 1939 and became a Charitable Trust in 1969. It moved to its present site in January 1997 where it enjoys its own swimming pool, all-weather sports pitch, superb teaching facilities and extensive grounds. The surrounding local area and stunning Jurassic Coast is our extended playground.
Academically and pastorally, every child’s attainment, potential and wellbeing are tracked, and we have a highly able and talented programme for children in all classes across the school. Children in Years 4, 6 and 8 are CAT4 tested in the autumn term, which provides a valuable indicator for potential. Standardised assessments in maths, English and science, along with diagnostic, formative and summative assessments, provide important attainment benchmarks, giving us the tools to ensure all our children thrive.
Over the years the school has attained many academic successes, but the broad curriculum also includes drama, art, craft, music and physical education. Our comprehensive Friday Enrichment programme encourages greater cross-curricular links for Years 1 to 8, enhancing their learning further.
Team and individual sports are played, with PE and Games taking place at least three times a week from Years 3–8. These include hockey, netball, cricket, rounders, rugby, football, athletics, swimming and tennis.
Out-of-school activities include academic clubs, preparing for scholarships, humanities and art, plus debating, chess, creative arts, ballet, dance, kickboxing, LAMDA and various music clubs including choir and string quartet. We offer multi sports across a wide age group. Residential expeditions are a feature of the curriculum from Year 3 upwards and we are a member of the National Sailing Academy, with our own race team.
Our expanding nursery will be welcoming 2-year-olds from April 2024, and will be moving to an all-year-round provision. Nursery children enjoy the beautiful grounds of Sunninghill, as well as specialist lessons in PE, music & drama, French and gardening. Children in our nursery are given first consideration for places in our Reception class.
Sunninghill Prep prides itself on its nurturing, family ethos. The school values of compassion, creativity, commitment and courage are deeply embedded into the school, and rewarded on a weekly basis in our celebration assemblies. The school’s flourishing Parents’ Association ensures that parents and staff all know each other and work together for the good of the children and the school.
Sunninghill welcomes children of all ages at any point during the school year. Prospective families are warmly invited to visit the school either at one of our termly Open Mornings, or for individual appointments. Our prospectus is available on request or downloadable from our website.
In December 2023, Sunninghill Prep was acquired by the Inspired Learning Group.