Address: Cranleigh Prep School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH
Region: Surrey (see also London – Outer)
Fees: £4650-£6035 (Day), £7475 (Weekly boarding)
Enquiries: The Admissions Registrar
Description: Founded in 1913, itl is set in 40 acres of Surrey countryside, on a hill immediately opposite Cranleigh School. Cranleigh village is just 5-10 minutes walk away. The buildings are on a single site. The girls’ boarding house is above the main building; the boys’ boarding house is a separate building. The school has good specialist art and sports facilities, including a full-size all-weather pitch, 9-hole golf course, an outward bound centre and a riding school. Originally a boys’ school, girls have been admitted from 2001 and it is now fully co-educational. It is a Christian school but admits pupils of all faiths. Pupils are prepared for the Common Entrance exams at age 13 and the majority goes on to Cranleigh School.
School Head: Headmaster: Michael Wilson, in post from 2008. Educated at Kenton College, Nairobi, Sherborne School and Keele University (biology and chemistry). Previously Headmaster of Edge Grove, Director of Studies of Bradfield, Head of Boarding at Dulwich College, Phuket, and Housemaster at Cranleigh. Also school governor (Mill HIll and Shrewsbury House); set up Cranleigh School in Abu Dhabi. Teaching staff: 44 full-time, 9 part-time.
Results: Pupils take Common Entrance and scholarship exams at 13. Some 50% gain scholarships or other awards.
Furtherhigher: 60% of pupils go on to Cranleigh School but must pass Common Entrance.
Arts: Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities. Almost all pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 8 musical groups in school; 7 pupils in the National Children’s Choir, National Youth Choir and National Wind Sinfonia. Years 5 and 8 take part in Shakespeare Schools Festival; annual play for each year group; all pupils involved in school productions.
Sport: Some 20 sports available, including rugby, athletics, tennis, riding, archery. All sports facilities on site. Sport-for-all ethos. 9 boys are regional football players, 3 played rugby for The Lambs, others for their county; one pupil broke 5 national swimming records. U13 girls won at IAPS national hockey championships, U-11 boys are Surrey hockey champions; also national riding, climbing and swimming champions, national finalists in athletics, netball & triathlon. Also pupils raised Σ17,000 last year for charity. Some 10 clubs including history, photography, drama, dance and various sports.
Boarding: Pupils in dormitories of 3-10. Single-sex houses of 27. Flexi-boarding offered. Visits to the local town only for special supervised events.
Formerpupils: Andrew Roberts (historian), Stuart Meaker (cricketer).
