South Court, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EB
10 reasons to choose Sunninghill Prep School
Top line
Sunninghill Prep School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 87. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Dorchester and one of the 2 best primary schools for 10 miles.
School fundamentals
Sunninghill Prep School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 2 and 13 years. It is a Christian 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, and is a member of the Inspired Learning Group. Sunninghill Prep School fees range from £3,390 (Rec) to £5,997 per term (2024/25). Fees exclude VAT but include lunches.
Average class size
Sunninghill Prep School has one class per year and an average class size of 14 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Year 8 for Sunninghill Prep School leavers are usually local independent schools; Bryanston School, Canford School, Clayesmore School, Milton Abbey School, or Sherborne School. The Thomas Hardye School is also popular. Very few pupils leave at the end of Year 6.
The Sunninghill Prep 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. To Year 5, geography, history, RE, PSHE, are linked to the arts through ‘Topic’. ‘Enrichment Friday’ promotes initiative, collaboration and project skills through activities such as robotics, environment, and Rights Respecting School. In Years 7 and 8, the creative curriculum includes Model United Nations, STEM projects, and conservation. The school incorporates its branded Personal Learning and Thinking Skills method through the curriculum. 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 in pre-prep and residential trips from Year 3.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, art, drama, computing and languages throughout, and for all subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Sunninghill Prep School
School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Representative teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in sailing.
The Arts at Sunninghill Prep School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and two-thirds take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Choir, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. The school is one of the top 50 UK prep schools for the breadth of its creative and performing arts extra-curriculum.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Minibus service.
Find another school near Sunninghill Prep School
Leweston Prep (16.8 miles); Sherborne Preparatory School (19 miles); Yarrells Preparatory School (20.2 miles).
Milton Abbey School (11.7 miles); Leweston School (16.8 miles); Bryanston School (18 miles).
St Osmund’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Middle School, Dorchester (0.6 miles); The Thomas Hardye School (1.1 miles); Budmouth College (8.9 miles).