Age range. 3–13 Co-educational.
Number of pupils. Prep: 290, Pre-Prep: 175.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £3,737–£5,668 including lunch and all single-day educational excursions. No compulsory extras.
Town Close School was founded in 1932 and became a Charitable Trust in 1968. The School is fully co-educational and is situated on a beautiful wooded site near the centre of Norwich. This location provides pupils with space and freedom, and contributes substantially to Town Close’s reputation as an outstandingly happy school.
There is a team of talented teachers who aim to produce well-motivated, balanced, confident children, who are caring and sociable and who know the value of hard work. The children receive excellent teaching and are prepared for all major senior schools. In recent years, pupils have achieved highly in entrance and scholarship assessments to a range of the country’s leading senior schools.
A modern teaching building stands at the heart of the School, containing a large, well-equipped library, an art room, an IT centre and 16 purpose-built classrooms. There are many other outstanding facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool, a high-specification sports hall, a performance hall and a full-size, floodlit Astroturf. Science and DT are taught in specialist buildings and the school places a high value on innovation, engineering and scientific discovery. The Pre-Prep occupies a magnificent converted house on the campus and also contains a multipurpose hall, kitchens, and a new and purpose-built Nursery wing that opens onto fantastic outdoor facilities.
Nursery and Reception classes follow the Foundation Stage curriculum, an important element of which is outdoor learning. Children progress through a broad and varied programme of activities with a strong emphasis on the development of personal and social skills and on establishing positive attitudes to learning and to school life. Swimming, music and dance are taught by specialist teachers, while the rest of the curriculum is delivered by class teachers, ably supported by well-qualified teaching assistants.
Throughout the children’s time at Town Close, particular attention is paid to the teaching of good handwriting and spelling. Traditional core skills are valued very highly in addition to promoting children’s use of digital technology. IT provision is extensive allowing children to become confident and proficient users. The Pre-Prep pupils use a range of children’s software to develop key skills and Prep Department children build on this foundation using more sophisticated software, either in the computer room or on laptops and tablets. All sections of the School have filtered access to the internet across the network. The School Intranet contains interactive activities, images, lesson material, and links to carefully selected websites. Interactive whiteboards are used throughout the School to support the curriculum.
Town Close has an excellent academic reputation and is also known for the quality of its sport, music, art, drama and its extensive co-curricular programme. Trips and expeditions form a valuable part of what is offered, and provide the balance essential for a full and rounded education. Activities take place during the lunch hour, after school, and occasionally at weekends. In terms of music, the School has a full orchestra, a variety of choirs and a wide range of ensembles. All children are encouraged to perform with regular high-quality concerts and plays.
Physical Education plays an important part in the development of each child, be they in the Nursery or in Year 8. Emphasis is placed on fostering healthy exercise, as well as encouraging a positive, competitive attitude, individual skills and teamwork. As well as providing all the usual opportunities for the major sports (rugby, netball, hockey, cricket and athletics), coaching is offered in many other sports.
A visit to www.townclose.com will provide a fuller picture of the School, including a sight of the most recent inspection report, in which Town Close was given the highest rating in every area. Charitable status. Town Close Educational Trust Limited is a Registered Charity, number 311293. It exists to provide education for children.