The Peterborough School is the City’s only independent day school for boys and girls from Nursery to Sixth Form. Situated in beautiful surroundings in the heart of Peterborough, the School enjoys excellent road and rail links. The School is a member of the Woodard Corporation, the largest group of Church of England Schools in England and Wales.
Situation and buildings. The School is located in beautiful secluded grounds, near the centre of Peterborough, 50 minutes by fast train from King’s Cross and easily accessible by road from the A1, A14 and A47. The elegant Victorian house is the centre of a modern, purpose-built complex of classrooms, laboratories, Music School, Art Block, Sixth Form Centre, Library and a modern Computing Suite. The Sports Facility was completed in September 2012.
The Preparatory School. Boys and girls are admitted into the Reception Class from the age of 4+. The whole range of Key Stage subjects is covered, in addition to a variety of other subjects and activities, e.g. Reasoning, French and other languages. Some subjects are taught by specialist staff from the Senior School. There is emphasis on academic standards, good manners, Physical Education, Music and Drama.
The Senior School. The curriculum of the Senior School is characterised by small classes and an emphasis on individual guidance and target-setting. A balanced programme leads to high achievement at GCSE. English, Mathematics, Sciences, Religious Education, Games and PE remain compulsory throughout; Languages, Computer Science, Food Tech, History and Geography, Art, Art Textiles and Design Technology, Music, Drama and Physical Education form the matrix of options. Spanish has recently been added to the curriculum.
External candidates are selected from the entrance examinations and opportunities for Scholarships exist at Year 7 and Sixth Form entry.
The School has a modern Computing Suite with state-of-the-art equipment, including iPads and laptops. All classrooms are networked.
There are specialist laboratories for all sciences and a new Sixth Form science lab.
In the Sixth Form, students usually take three A level subjects but may in some circumstances undertake four. These are linear qualifications, with examination at the end of the two-year course of study: there are no AS examinations available at the end of the Lower Sixth. In addition to their academic studies, Sixth Formers undertake a significant enrichment programme that includes volunteering, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and an electives programme.
As a School with pupils from Reception and children in the Nursery from 6 weeks and above, older pupils have many opportunities to develop a sense of involvement and responsibility, and carry out valuable service in the wider School community. Business sense is developed through the Young Enterprise scheme, in which the School is very successful. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is also prioritised.
The Nursery. The Peterborough School Nursery offers daycare for babies to preschoolers. Optional lessons include French, Ballet and Key Sports.
Religion. Weekly Chapel Services are held and attendance is compulsory, although participation is optional.
Music and Drama. The music of the School, in particular its choral tradition, is renowned and the School competes in festivals as well as singing at events across the city. Tuition in singing, piano and all orchestral instruments is available. Major theatrical and musical productions take place several times a year, and the School presents an Art & Design Exhibition each summer. Speech & Drama is a popular extracurricular activity, with many students gaining LAMDA or New Era qualifications.
Games and Physical Education. The pupils achieve outstanding success in team and individual sports and athletics. Many pupils have represented the county, the region, and Team GB. The School estate is spacious with several pitches and all-weather courts. The many and varied sporting facilities of the city are within easy reach for swimming, rowing and athletics. The School is benefiting from the major development of its Sports Facility, including a Fitness Suite and Climbing Wall.
Extracurricular activities. Many clubs and societies operate in extracurricular time, and field visits and excursions illuminate classroom work. Many pupils undertake the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at both Bronze and Gold levels, with outstanding success and the School has its own St John Ambulance division. Cubs, Scouts and Beavers are also run from the School.
Fees per term (2024-2025). To reduce the impact of VAT we have reduced our school fees from 1 January 2025. By adopting these reduced fees, we have been able to pass on no more than 12.5% of the VAT increase to parents in January, instead of the full 20%. Please visit: www.thepeterboroughschool.co.uk/fees-scholarships-bursaries. Tuition fees include a mid-morning snack and lunch.
Scholarships. Academic, Art, Music and Sport are the main scholarships available to those entering Year 7. Woodard All-rounder Scholarships are also available for Senior students at the Headmaster’s discretion. Sixth Form Academic Scholarships are also available. Please apply to the Admissions Team for more information.
The Peterborough School Alumni (Westwoodians’ Association). Secretary: Mrs Ivana Zizza who is based at the School.
Charitable status. The Peterborough School Limited is a Registered Charity, number 269667. It is an independent school which exists to promote the education of children.
Governors & Staff:
School Council:
Chair: Mr K Craig, BA Hons, FCCA, CTA
Deputy Chair: Mr P Simmons
The Revd Canon T Jones, Vice Dean of Peterborough
Ms L Ayres, LLB
Mr K Chakraborty
Mrs S Dixon, BA Hons, PGCE
Mrs K Hart, BA Hons
Mr P Hayes
Prof C J Howe, SCD, MA, FLS
The Rt Revd R Ladds, SSC, LRSC, BEd Hons
Dr N Menon, MRCS, BMBS Hons, BMedSci Hons
Mrs H Milligan-Smith, LLB Hons
Dr E Nisbet
Mrs E Payne
Dr J S Thompson, LMSSA, MBBS, DRCOG
Head: Mr A Meadows, BSc Hons Manchester, NPQH
Bursar: Mr S Dharamraj, MBA, MA, BSc Hons, FCMI
Deputy Headmaster: Mr R Cameron, BA Hons Southampton
Head of the Preparatory School: Mrs A-M Elding, MA OU, BEd Hons Derby
Head of Pastoral Care: Mr M Pryor
Director of Sixth Form: Mr A Stroud, BA Hons Oxon
Staff:
Miss H Adams, BSc Hons (Mathematics)
Mrs L Andrew, BEd Hons (Preparatory)
Mr P Baldwin, BA Hons (Preparatory)
Mr K Bingham, BA Hons (Preparatory)
Mr D Bocking (Maths)
M A Boxall (Head of Boys’ Sport)
Mr C Brocklesby, BA Hons (Geography)
Mrs H Brookes, BA Hons (English, Head of Key Stage 3)
Mrs Burgess (Speech and Drama)
Miss A Buxcey, BA Hons (Religious Education)
Miss Z Chappell, BA Hons Cantab (Preparatory)
Miss S M Clarkson, BA Hons Cantab (History)
Miss H Clisset, BA Hons (Dance)
Mr G Cloke, BSc Hons (Preparatory)
Miss S Cummings, BA Hons (Chemistry, Head of Key Stage 4)
Mrs K Davis, BSc Hons (Chemistry)
Mrs R Ditcher, BSc Hons (Preparatory)
Dr L Fox-Clipsham, PhD, BSc (Science)
Mrs H Graves, BA Hons (Drama, PSHE)
Miss M Gray (Head of Individual Learning)
Mrs L Grinyer, BA Hons (English)
Ms A Garala, BSc Hons (Preparatory)
Mrs R Hampson, BA Hons (Art, Textiles)
Mr A Harwin, BA Hons (Art)
Miss M Johal (Sociology/Psychology)
Miss C Johnson, BSc Hons (Biology, PSHE)
Mrs E Kay, BSc Hons (Physical Education)
Ms A Kupara, BA (Computing & Digital Strategy)
Mrs L Lane (PE, Head of Girls' Sport)
Mr S Law, BSc Hons (Physics)
Miss L McChlery, BEd (Preparatory)
Mrs L McClarnon, BEd Hons (Preparatory)
Mr J Marsden, BSc Hons (Physical Education)
Mrs G Mason, OND Hotel & Catering (Food Technology & Preparatory Teaching Assistant)
Mrs S Noone, BEd (Preparatory)
Mrs E Porsz, BA Hons (Physical Education)
Ms E Potbury, BA Hons (French)
Mrs C Raitt (PE)
Mrs J Roberts, BA Hons (English)
Mr P Schavier, Masters Degree (German)
Mrs M Silvester, BSc Hons (Mathematics)
Mrs A Skelton, BA Hons (Preparatory)
Mr S Stevenson (PE)
Miss C Steward, BA Hons (Preparatory)
Mr M Twigg, BA Hons (Product Design)
Mrs C Wagner-Lees, BA Hons (German)
Mrs L Wisdom, BSc (Geography)
Mrs J Young, BSc Hons (Physical Education)
Instrumental Music/Speech & Drama:
Miss K Birtles, BMus Hons (Flute & Oboe)
Mr R Brain, BA Hons, MA (Director of Music)
Mr J Cranfield, BA Hons (Guitar)
Mr R Haylett, BA Hons Cantab (Singing)
Mr M Jewkes (Jazz Piano & Saxophone)
Mrs M McAuliffe, Dip ABRSM (Violin)
Mr J Nessfield, BA Hons (Brass)
Mrs P Samuels, LGSM Cert Acting GSMD (Speech & Drama)
Miss E Smith, BMus Hons (School Accompanist)
Administrative Officers:
Head’s PA: Mrs L Hale
Marketing Executive: Miss A Salmon
Admissions and Alumni Manager: Mrs I Zizza
Admissions Officer: Mrs W Short
Administrative Assistant: Mrs K Woods
Accounts: Mrs J House, BA Hons; Mrs R Forman
Operations Manager: Mr K Green
Estate Manager: Mr C Lang
Laboratory Technician: Mrs A Albon, BSc
Art and Food Tech Technician: Miss A Prebble
Network Manager: Mr A Nicholls
IT Technician: Mr K Rossall
LRC Manager: Mrs C Thomson
Receptionist: Mrs R Adcock
Office: Mrs K Kett
Teaching Assistants & Supervisors:
Mrs A Brennan
Miss C Callow
Mrs W Cohen
Miss F Cupoli
Ms E Drew, BA Hons
Mrs Z Green
Mrs E Penniston, BA Hons
Miss D Pepper
Mrs J Reade
Mr C Howitt
Mr R Westbrook
Medical Staff:
Mrs F Aylmore, BSc Hons (Senior Nurse)
Mrs M Lay, BSc Hons (School Counsellor)