Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7AB
10 reasons to choose Cheltenham College Preparatory School
Top line
Cheltenham College Preparatory School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 89. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Cheltenham and one of the 3 best primary schools for 1 mile.
School fundamentals
Cheltenham College Preparatory School is an independent prep day and boarding school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 3 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 3 for the 10% of pupils who board. 50% are full boarders and 50% are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has an academically selective admissions policy. It is the prep school to Cheltenham College, an all-through school to age 18. Cheltenham College Preparatory School fees range from £4,376 (Rec) to £9,884 per term (2025/26). Full boarding fees range from £9,841 to £12,852 per term. Fees include VAT but exclude lunches.
Average class size
Cheltenham College Preparatory School has two classes per year in Pre-Prep, rising to three in Prep, sometimes four in Years 7 and 8, and an average class size of 16 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
At the end of Year 8 most pupils move up from the Prep to Cheltenham College. Some leave for other local boarding schools. A small number leave in Year 6
The Cheltenham College Preparatory School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, French, Spanish, Latin. School uses the Building Learning Power method to impart learning habits. Each pupil may participate in over 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips from Year 6.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music and languages throughout, for most subjects from Year 5, and all subjects from Year 6.
Sport at Cheltenham College Preparatory School
5 Games sessions per week, with matches on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 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 hockey, rugby, rugby 7s.
The Arts at Cheltenham College Preparatory School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and three-quarters take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, orchestra and 11 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 6.00pm.
Find another school near Cheltenham College Preparatory School
The Richard Pate School (1.2 miles); Dean Close Preparatory School & Pre-Prep (1.3 miles); Ashley Manor Preparatory School, Cheltenham (1.5 miles); Rendcomb College, Junior School (10.3 miles); Bredon Junior School (16.5 miles).
Naunton Park Primary School (0.4 miles); Holy Apostles’ Church of England Primary School, Charlton Kings (0.8 miles); Gloucester Road Primary School (1.2 miles).
Cheltenham College (0.4 miles); The Cheltenham Ladies’ College (1 mile); St Edward’s School, Cheltenham (1.1 miles); Dean Close School (1.8 miles).
Balcarras School (1.8 miles); Pate’s Grammar School (2.6 miles); Sir Thomas Rich’s School (6.5 miles).