Age Range. 4–11 Co-educational.
Number of Children. Over 300.
Fees per term (2023-2024). £4,150–£5,385 (including lunch). These figures include a 2% discount which is applied if fees are paid by termly direct debit.
Mission Statement. Kimbolton School creates a caring, challenging environment in which pupils are encouraged to fulfil their potential and are given opportunities to flourish in a wide variety of curricular and extra-curricular interests.
We provide a close family environment where young people are educated to be tolerant, socially responsible and independent of mind, equipping them for our changing world. We are a community that challenges pupils to discover their talents, develop socially and excel.
Our Preparatory School is located at the western end of Kimbolton village in a mix of modern and Victorian buildings, while our Senior School is based at the opposite end of the village in Kimbolton Castle, among 120 acres of parkland and playing fields. We are very much one school: the curricula of the Prep and Senior Schools are aligned; our warm, caring ethos starts at the Reception Year and continues through to the Upper Sixth; and some of our staff teach at both the Prep and Senior Schools.
Our normal entry points for the Prep School are 4+, and 7+, with the assessment process taking place in February. We are able to accept applications into other year groups and/or at times other than September when space permits; this is subject to passing an appropriate assessment.
Pupils join our Reception year and are then split into two classes in Year 1 and Year 2. Years 3–6 have three classes each. Each has its own class teacher and pupils throughout the Upper Prep also benefit from a good deal of specialist teaching. We have provision for academically gifted children and provide one-to-one and small group tuition as needed.
We offer an extensive range of trips, visits and competitions to complement the curriculum, as well as regularly welcoming visiting speakers. From Year 3 onwards, children have the option of participating in residential trips.
There is a vibrant musical scene throughout Kimbolton School. The majority of children in Years 3–6 take individual music lessons in addition to class music; those in Years 1 and 2 may opt for small group string sessions. Performance opportunities abound, with formal and informal concerts plus an annual orchestral afternoon.
Lower Prep is located in Aragon House, a purpose-built facility for 4–7 year olds, recently furbished and extended, which provides a safe, welcoming and happy environment. Children in Lower Prep also use the facilities on offer throughout the Prep School. Children automatically progress to the Upper Prep, with the expectation that at age 11 pupils will continue to the Senior School. (See entry in HMC section). The Prep School has, on its own site, a dining hall, library, digital suite, assembly hall, music teaching and practice rooms, science laboratory, art and design technology room and sports hall, as well as large, light and airy classrooms. There is a full-time nurse on site.
Our outdoor facilities include tennis and netball courts, 400m grass athletics track, rounders fields, floodlit all-weather pitches, plus football, hockey and cricket pitches. Pupils also enjoy regular access to the first-class facilities at the Senior School, including a 25-metre swimming pool. We have a full programme of sports fixtures and tournaments and have achieved notable successes across a range of sports.
Out of hours options provide high-quality support to working parents. Children may arrive for breakfast at 7.30 am and our ‘Kim Club’ facility is available after school until 6.00 pm. There is also an extensive range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and supervised homework to extend the school day. Many of our children use our daily bus service to travel to and from school.
Kimbolton Preparatory School was inspected by ISI in 2017.
Charitable status. Kimbolton School Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 1098586.