Headley, Thatcham, Hampshire RG19 8LD
10 reasons to choose Cheam School
Main point of differentiation
Cheam School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 90, and is the joint highest scoring prep school in the Newbury area. It has the widest sports curriculum. It is also one of the top 30 prep schools in the country.
School fundamentals
Cheam School is an independent prep day and boarding school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 2 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 4 for the 40% of pupils who board. All are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. Cheam School fees range from £4,575 (Rec) to £8,985 per term (2024/25). Fees exclude VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Cheam School has two rising to three classes per year and an average class size of 16 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for most Cheam School leavers are one of 30 different boarding schools per year. The most popular destinations are Marlborough College (20% of leavers), Bradfield College (14%), St Edward’s Oxford (9%), Eton College (9%), Radley College (9%), and Wellington College (8%). 30-40% of pupils win awards and scholarships.
The Cheam School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHCEE, French, Latin, Greek. Design, Technology, and Engineering is high profile at the school. Each pupil has two lessons per week from Year 3. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School to Year 2 and residential trips from Year 6.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for music, art, languages, computing, drama and sport throughout, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Cheam School
School is one of the 50 prep schools with the most extensive sports offers in the UK. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in athletics, cross country, football, hockey, rounders, shooting.
The Arts at Cheam School
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils (as is drama from Years 3 to 6). All pupils learn an instrument in class and three-quarters take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Seven choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. Each pupil may participate in up to 10 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 8.00am to 5.55pm. Facility for occasional boarding.
Find another school near Cheam School
St Gabriel’s School, Junior School (3.4 miles); Horris Hill School (4.4 miles); St Michael’s School, Primary (6.2 miles); Elstree School (6.9 miles); Brockhurst and Marlston House Schools (12.4 miles).
Woolton Hill Junior School (6.8 miles); The Priory Primary School (8.8 miles); Curridge Primary School (8.9 miles).
St Gabriel’s School (3.4 miles); St Michael’s School, Newbury (6.2 miles); Downe House (9.3 miles); Padworth College (10.6 miles).
Kennet School (3.8 miles); The Clere School (4.2 miles); Park House School (5 miles).