Waltham Rd, Hurst, Reading, Berkshire RG10 0FR
10 reasons to choose Dolphin School, Hurst
Main point of differentiation
Dolphin School, Hurst has a Schoolsmith Score® of 82, and is the Wokingham and Bracknell prep school that emphasises educational trips and residentials; possibly more than any prep school in the country. (read the area review here)
School fundamentals
Dolphin School, Hurst is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 3 and 13 years. The school has an academically selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. Dolphin School, Hurst fees range from £4,435 (Rec) to £6,075 per term (2024/25). Fees exclude VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Dolphin School, Hurst has one class or two classes per year, and an average class size of 16 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Dolphin School Hurst leavers are one of 20 independent and five state schools. Of the 70% who leave in Year 8, 83% go on to an independent school. Of the 30% who leave in Year 6, 65% go on to an independent school, 17% to a grammar school, 9% to a state school, and 9% go overseas. The choice of school is widespread, but if there are any favourites, it is Abingdon school (15-20% of leavers) and Queen Anne’s (10-15%). 10% of pupils win awards and scholarships.
The Dolphin School, Hurst curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHEE, reasoning, Earth Studies, Global Citizenship, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin, Greek. 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 and residential trips from Year 3. During their time at Dolphin School pupils spend over 120 days on day trips and residentials. As part of this, the school also has a significant outdoor experiential learning programme, starting with Forest School in pre-prep. The Delphic Challenge, for Years 6 to 8, challenges pupils in four main groups of activity; Expedition, Service, Skilled Activity, and Dolphin Project Qualification.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, languages and computing throughout, for geography, history, drama, classics from Year 3, and for all subjects from Year 4.
Sport at Dolphin School, Hurst
School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3.
The Arts at Dolphin School, Hurst
Art, music, and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and about one third take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Choir, orchestra and one or two instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.45am to 5.30pm.
Find another school near Dolphin School, Hurst
Reddam House Berkshire, Junior School (4.9 miles); Ludgrove School (5.2 miles); Holme Grange School, Prep & Pre-Prep (5.8 miles).
White Waltham Church of England Academy (3.8 miles); Westende Junior School (4.7 miles); Crazies Hill Church of England Primary School (4.9 miles).
Reading Blue Coat School (4.3 miles); Reddam House Berkshire (4.9 miles); Luckley House School (5.5 miles).
The Piggott School (2.2 miles); The Holt School (3.9 miles); St Crispin’s School (4.6 miles).