Jodrell Bank, Holmes Chapel, Crewe, Cheshire CW4 8BT
10 reasons to choose Terra Nova School
Top line
Terra Nova School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Crewe and one of the 4 best primary schools for 5 miles.
School fundamentals
Terra Nova 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 very small number of pupils who board. All are weekly or flexi boarders. 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 and is a member of the Shrewsbury School group. Terra Nova School fees range from £5,747 (Rec) to £7,961 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Terra Nova School usually has two classes per year to Year 6, one from Year 7, and an average class size of 16 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Year 6 Terra Nova School leavers are a Cheshire or Manchester independent day school. Of the two-thirds of pupils who stay on till Year 8, 75% go on to a boarding school, 25% to an independent day school.
The Terra Nova School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It is a thematic curriculum for humanities to Year 4, after which all subjects are taught separately. There are some cross-curricular projects in Years 5 to 8, especially for STEAM. The curriculum also includes PSHE, reasoning, French, Spanish, German. The school offers each child a handful of extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups and visiting speakers. ‘Activities Week’ and overseas residential trips from Year 5.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, languages, computing, and music throughout, for DT and art from Year 3, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Terra Nova School
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in sailing, shooting.
The Arts at Terra Nova School
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class and nearly all take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, orchestra and some instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.30pm. Facility for occasional boarding.
Find another school near Terra Nova School
The Ryleys School (8 miles); Alderley Edge School for Girls, Infants & Juniors (8.3 miles); The King’s School in Macclesfield, Infants & Juniors (10.3 miles).
Goostrey Community Primary School (1.8 miles); Holmes Chapel Primary School (3.2 miles); Chelford Church of England Primary School (4 miles).
Alderley Edge School for Girls (8.3 miles); The King’s School in Macclesfield (9.6 miles); Beech Hall School (10.4 miles); Chetham’s School of Music (22.6 miles); The Hammond (27.5 miles).
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School (3.8 miles); Wilmslow High School (8.1 miles); Sandbach School (8.2 miles).