Age range. 6 months–11 years. Co-educational.
Number of boys and girls. 308 (Day Children).
Fees per term (2025-2026). £4,070–£4,530.
For over a century, Pownall Hall School has been a place where childhood is both cherished and challenged. Set within beautiful, expansive grounds on the north-western side of Wilmslow in Cheshire – just 12 miles South of Manchester – Pownall offers an inspiring preparatory education for children aged 6 months to 11 years.
From the earliest days in our Woodland Nursery to the final steps of Form 6, children are nurtured by highly trained teachers who know them well and bring out their very best. Academic standards are strong and firmly rooted, with preparation for entrance into the region’s leading Independent and Grammar schools. Learning extends beyond the National Curriculum, blending traditional foundations with modern, forward-thinking approaches and the thoughtful use of technology.
In Prep, pupils benefit from specialist teachers and dedicated subject spaces, including a state-of-the-art Science Laboratory, Art, Design & Technology Studio, 1800’s Boddington Theatre, Library, and specialist rooms for Maths and English. Our commitment to languages is long-standing: French begins at age two, German from Form 4, and a rotation of extracurricular languages clubs including Spanish, Chinese and Mandarin.
Our Early Years provision spans five vibrant rooms: the Robin and Wren Rooms from 6 months old, the Barn Owl and Tawny Owl Rooms for our 2-year-olds, and Kindergarten for 3–4 year-olds. From there, pupils progress into Reception and move steadily through to Form 6. Throughout these years, parents receive honest, expert guidance on next steps at 11+, ensuring each child transitions to the senior school that will fit them best.
Small class sizes – capped at 18 from Reception upwards – ensure that no child is ever lost in the crowd. With excellent staff-to-pupil ratios and dedicated SEND specialists, every child receives the care, encouragement and focused teaching they need to thrive.
The arts and sport play a central role in school life. Our historic Boddington Theatre, dating back to the 1800s, hosts performances from every year group, giving all pupils the confidence and joy of being on stage. Music flourishes through the curriculum with an extensive peripatetic offering, and regular opportunities to perform both in school and in the wider community. Across subjects, specialist rooms and mobile technology enrich learning in ways that feel purposeful and exciting.
Our sporting facilities are extensive, with a Sports Hall, Astroturf, large playing fields and both indoor and outdoor spaces used for netball, hockey, football, rugby, tennis and more. Children compete with pride and enthusiasm, supported by expert coaching and a calendar full of fixtures and events.
Alongside a rich academic and pastoral offering, Pownall Hall School provides an exceptional extracurricular programme offering over 50 clubs every week. We are proud to work with a wide network of external specialists who deliver outstanding coaching and enrichment sessions on site, including football, chess, judo, fencing, tennis, ballet, and many more.
Our partnerships extend beyond the school grounds, enabling pupils to benefit from specialist facilities in the local area. We enjoy close links with Pownall Lawn Tennis Club, Styal Golf Club and Bank Farm Horse Riding School, where pupils can experience high-level coaching in authentic sporting environments.
Outdoor learning is woven into the fabric of Pownall life. Our on-site woodland is used daily for free-flow learning from the youngest years upwards, alongside a full Forest School programme. From Year 3, pupils also take part in outdoor pursuits and residential trips that build resilience, teamwork and character.
Pownall Hall School remains, as ever, a place where children are known, valued and inspired – a school proud of its heritage and excited for its future.
Charitable status. Pownall Hall School is a Registered Charity, number 525929. It exists to provide education for boys and girls, aged 6 months–11 years old.