Castleford Hill, Tutshill, Chepstow, Monmouthshire NP16 7LE
10 reasons to choose Dean Close St John's
Top line
Dean Close St John’s has a Schoolsmith Score® of 90. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Chepstow and one of the 3 best primary schools for 10 miles.
School fundamentals
Dean Close St John’s 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 very small number of pupils who board. All are weekly or flexi boarders. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, and is a member of The Dean Close Foundation. Dean Close St John’s fees range from £3,300 (Rec) to £7,000 per term (2025/26). Full boarding fees are £8,500 per term. Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Dean Close St John’s has one class per year and an average class size of 12 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Dean Close St John’s leavers are one of 20 day and boarding schools. The most popular are Rugby, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham College, Monmouth and Dean Close. 50% of pupils win awards and scholarships.
The Dean Close St John's curriculum
School curriculum also includes PSHE, French, Spanish. Topic-based curriculum to Year 4. In Years 7 and 8 the school teaches a more skills based curriculum, the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate, which blends nine transferable learning skills with ISEB and National Curriculum subjects. Each pupil may participate in over 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs. In recent years the school has enjoyed national tournament success in chess.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips from Year 3.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music and languages throughout, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Dean Close St John's
Five sports sessions per week plus matches. School offers over 20 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and an extensive extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in rugby 7s.
The Arts at Dean Close St John's
Art, music, and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Annual Arts Week. All pupils learn an instrument in class and half take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. There are some extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 5.45pm with a late stay option to 8.00pm.
Find another school near Dean Close St John's
Tockington Manor School (9.1 miles); Badminton Junior School (16.2 miles); Haberdashers’ Monmouth Prep School (17.4 miles).
Almondsbury Church of England Primary School (8.6 miles); St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bradley Stoke (11.4 miles); Frampton Cotterell Church of England Primary School (12.5 miles).
The Red Maids’ High School (15.8 miles); Badminton School (16.2 miles); Collegiate Senior School (16.4 miles); Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Boys (17.7 miles); Clifton College, Upper School (17.9 miles).
Wyedean School and 6th Form Centre (0.8 miles); The Castle School (9.6 miles); The Ridings Federation Winterbourne International Academy (12.1 miles).