Ashfold School, Aylesbury HP18

Schoolsmith Score®; 89.

One of the best independent prep schools in Aylesbury and one of the 2 best primary schools for 10 miles.

On average, 14.8 pupils per class and 9.5 pupils per teacher, from Year 1.

Destinations for Ashfold School leavers are one of 30 day and boarding schools. Abingdon and Rugby schools account for the lion's share of leavers (about 50%). 40-50% of leavers win awards and scholarships. A small number leave for a grammar school at age 11.

School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, French, Latin. Independent Project Qualification in Years 6 & 7. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.

Specialist teachers for music, art and computing throughout, for sport from Year 2, for languages from Year 3, for most subjects by Year 5, and for all subjects from Year 6.

Extensive residential trip programme from Year 5. 'Stretch and Challenge Programme' includes 'Academic Enrichment' sessions from Year 6, 'Scholars Club' from Year 7, and weekly 'Masterclasses' from Year 6 for the arts, sport, and digital.

School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in shooting.

Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and over half take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. All pre-prep pupils learn the violin and recorder as part of the curriculum. Three choirs, a joint choir of pupils, teachers and parents, orchestra and over 10 instrument ensembles. The school is one of the 50 prep schools with the most extensive creative and performing arts extra-curricular programmes in the UK.

Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Facility for occasional boarding.