Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0ER
10 reasons to choose Orwell Park School
Top line
Orwell Park School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 90. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Ipswich and one of the 4 best primary schools for 5 miles.
School fundamentals
Orwell Park School is an independent prep day and boarding school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 2.5 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 3 for the 40% of pupils who board. 30% are full boarders and 70% are weekly or flexi boarders. The school has an academically selective admissions policy from Year 3. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. Orwell Park School fees range from £4,570 (Rec) to £8,066 per term (2024/25). Full boarding fees range from £10,660 to £11,844 per term. Fees exclude VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Orwell Park School usually has one class per year to Year 2, two from Year 3, and an average class size of 13 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Orwell Park School leavers in any one year are one of 20 local and national independent day and boarding schools. No particular destination dominates, though 80% of pupils move on to a boarding school. 40%-50% of pupils win awards and scholarships.
The Orwell Park School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum. There are termly cross-curricular topics in pre-prep, and discrete subject teaching in prep. The curriculum also includes PSHE/’life skills’, philosophy, study skills, French, Spanish, 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 including the weekly Orangery Lectures for Years 7 and 8, and residential trips from Year 6. The OPS Challenge is an outdoor challenge, adventure, and leadership programme for Years 6 and 7.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, computing and languages throughout, for art and DT from Year 3, and for most subjects from Year 6.
Sport at Orwell Park School
5 games/PE afternoons or double periods per week for all prep pupils. 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, hockey, sailing, skiing.
The Arts at Orwell Park School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and nearly all take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, an orchestra and 22 instrument ensembles. Each pupil may participate in up to 10 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 8.05am to 6.30pm. Facility for occasional boarding. Minibus service.
Find another school near Orwell Park School
St Joseph’s College Prep School (5.5 miles); Ipswich High School, Prep School (6.1 miles); Ipswich Preparatory School (6.1 miles); Framlingham College Prep School (18 miles); Finborough Preparatory School (20.8 miles); Holmwood House School (22.6 miles).
St John’s Church of England Primary School, Ipswich (4.6 miles); St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Ipswich (4.7 miles); St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School, Ipswich (4.9 miles).
St Joseph’s College, Ipswich (5.5 miles); Ipswich School (5.8 miles); Ipswich High School (6.1 miles); Royal Hospital School (7.6 miles).
St Alban’s Catholic High School (4.6 miles); Kesgrave High School (4.8 miles); Northgate High School (5.2 miles).