Prior Park College is a co-educational Catholic boarding and day school. Founded in 1830 by Bishop Baines, it was under the control of the Bishops of Clifton until 1924, when it passed to the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Since 1981, Prior Park has been under lay management.
The College is housed in magnificent Palladian architecture, built by John Wood for Ralph Allen, with glorious views of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. The 57-acre site combines an elegant setting for boarding and day education with access to Bath and its numerous cultural attractions. Proximity to the M4 and M5 motorways places the College within easy reach of London, the Midlands, the South-West and Wales. Good rail links and proximity to Bristol, Heathrow and Gatwick international airports allow easy transfer for our international students.
Structure of the School. Prior Park is a friendly, thriving community of approximately 600 pupils. The two boarding houses are home to approximately 145 full and weekly boarders. Flexi boarding is also available if space is available.
Objects of the College. The school's primary aim is to provide a genuine all-round education and whilst academic endeavour remains at the school's core, Prior Park encourages its students to embrace all the opportunities on offer. It is a school that cares. The school's renowned pastoral system provides space and support for each of its students and enables our leavers to be capable, confident and compassionate adults.
Buildings and Grounds. Ranked by the Oxford Royale Academy as the UK’s most beautiful boarding school. The Houses, Administration and College Chapel are to be found in the fine 18th-century architecture grouped around Ralph Allen’s celebrated Palladian Mansion. A major refurbishment programme of boys’ and girls’ boarding accommodation has provided comfortable study-bedrooms, quiet areas and recreational rooms. On-site facilities are excellent and include a state-of-the-art sports centre with fitness suite, indoor swimming pool, all weather pitches, 160-seat theatre, recording studio, Chapel, an industry standard A Level D&T workshop and a brand-new Sixth Form Centre.
Curriculum. The academic curriculum conforms to and goes beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum. The curriculum in Year 7–9 is broad. Great care is taken to ensure that careful guidance is given to pupils in Year 9 and Year 11 when GCSE and A Level choices are being made. The majority of pupils will study ten GCSE subjects. In Sixth Form students mostly take three A Level subjects plus another qualification, e.g. an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Music. The College has a highly-deserved reputation for musical excellence. Orchestras, band, choirs, shows, chamber music, jazz, African drums; the Music department covers every musical genre. Two chapel choirs provide high quality music for the weekly sung Mass in the glorious surroundings of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows.
The Music Department houses a recording studio and teaching and practice rooms. Around half the pupils learn a musical instrument. Several Prior Park musicians have gone on to Oxbridge. Other graduates go to major conservatoires and play in NYO, NCO, etc.
Drama. The Drama department is proud of its reputation for putting on diverse and impressive productions each year, including works by Beckett, Ibsen, Miller, Shakespeare and Stoppard. The school has its own professionally equipped 160-seat Julian Slade Theatre and Mackintosh Dance Studio.
Visual Arts and D&T. The Visual Arts department comprises Fine Art, Photography and Textiles. Student work is showcased in the gallery spaces throughout the College. The D&T department is highly respected, with facilities on a par with neighbouring universities and many industrial workplaces. For many years, Prior Park Students have been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
Physical Education and Games. Physical Education is included in the curriculum. Games are an important part of school life. Focus sports are Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Netball and Tennis. From Year 9, students are also offer elective sports: Swimming, Badminton, Cross-Country, Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Athletics, use of Fitness Studio, Sailing, Stand Up Paddleboarding.
Clubs and Societies. There are daily clubs ranging from Astronomy to Amnesty International.
The voluntary Combined Cadet Force includes Navy and Army Sections. Adventure training takes place both in the UK and overseas. Cadets are encouraged to participate in the Service and Contingent Camps and Courses.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme operates at Bronze and Gold Award level. Participants work on the four sections: volunteering, skills, physical, and expeditions; plus a residential project section at Gold Award level.
Saturday Active is a programme of courses that take place every Saturday morning. There are over 20 courses to choose from, including Sailing, Golf, Archery and Yoga.
Boarders and day pupils alike participate in a wide range of activities after school. Public speaking and debating thrive. All younger full-time boarders take part in Saturday Active.
Admission. Main points of admission are at 11+, 13+ and 16+ but pupils may transfer into the College at other times if places are available. Early registrations are encouraged. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the College on Open Days or by arranging an individual visit.
Entrance and scholarship examinations for 11+ and 13+ take place in December and January prior to entry in September. 16+ scholarship examinations and interviews take place in November. Please contact the Registrar, admissions@priorparkschools.com, for the relevant entrance/scholarship admission booklet. Scholarships and Bursaries. Academic Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Art, D&T, Drama, Music and Sporting awards are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Awards can carry with them a fee remission.
Bursaries are available, including HM Forces Bursaries. The Bursar is pleased to discuss individual cases. Sibling discounts apply.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Full Boarding: £12,878; Weekly Boarding: £9,990; Day: £5,874–£6,483.
The Paragon School, Bath – Junior School of Prior Park College. The Paragon School is part of Prior Park Educational Trust. Housed in an impressive Georgian mansion, the co-educational school for 3–11 years is set in beautiful wooded grounds, only a few minutes drive from Prior Park College. A broad and balanced curriculum is delivered within a happy, caring environment.
Head: Mrs Rosie Allen
Prior Park School, Gibraltar. Opened in September 2016, Prior Park School is the first Independent co-educational senior school in Gibraltar for children 12–18 years.
Headmaster: Mr Peter Watts
Charitable status. Prior Park Educational Trust is a Registered Charity, number 281242.
Governors & Staff:
President:
Sister J Livesey
Patrons:
Miss J Bisgood
Mr C J B Davy
The Rt Revd D R Lang
Sir Cameron Mackintosh
The Rt Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes
Commodore C B York
Trustees:
Ms A Shepherd (Chair of Trustees)
Mr T Alves
Mrs L Costello
Mr N Dowler
Mr S Head
Mrs V Humphries
Mr L McKell
Mrs M Moore
Revd Prebendary N Rawlinson
Mrs J Singleton
Headmaster: Mr Ben Horan
Deputy Head Academic: Mr C Gamble
Deputy Head Pastoral: Mrs I Burton
Assistant Head (Activities): Mr M Bond
Assistant Head (Progress and Tracking): Mr M Blaikley
Assistant Head (Director of Studies): Mr K Chard
Assistant Head (Tracking): Mrs R Lennon
Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning): Miss N Cordon
Assistant Head (Well Being): Mr D Sackett
Assistant Head (Sixth Form): Mrs A Colquhoun
Director of Operations and Finance: Ms E Sandberg
Head of Compliance: Miss E Wickham
Digital Learning Lead: Mr J Gibbons
Heads of Departments:
Biology: Mr G Price
Chemistry: Dr R Archer
Classics: Mrs S Hearn
Design & Technology: Mr R Faulkner
Computer Science: Mr J Gibbons
Drama & Theatre Studies: Mr D Langley
Economics and Business: Mr M Kerr
English: Dr K McGowran
English as an Additional Language (EAL): Mr P Stroud
Eurasian Studies: Ms B Main
Geography: Mr S Burt
History: Mr M Bishop
Learning Development Programme (LDP): Mrs J Bendry
Mathematics: Mrs J Jones
Modern Languages: Mr T Barrat
Music: Mr M Nicholls
Physics: Ms C Ellis-James
Psychology: Mrs F Evans
Theology and Philosophy: Mr T Maxwell
Visual Arts: Ms S Seville
Visiting Music Staff for Acoustic/Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Drums, Flute, Oboe, Piano, Saxophone, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Voice.
Executive PA to Headmaster and Director of Operations and Finance: Ms D Miller
Registrar: Mrs V Quinn
Lay Chaplain: Mrs T Tunbridge
Director of Development: Mr D Rainey