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You’ve read the Muddy reviews – now’s your chance to see the schools. Here are all the Open Days in January to March of the independent schools we’ve vetted across Dorset, Somerset & Bristol. Scroll on to find your perfect match or click on the links to find our reviews. As schools announce new Open Days, we’ll add them to the list, so watch this space.

Taunton School, Taunton, Fri 10 Jan, Sat 1 Feb, Sat 8 Feb

The co-ed day and boarding independent school in the county town of Taunton comprises a Senior School, Prep, Pre-Prep, Nursery and Taunton School International (TSI). This is a school for the 21st century, that wears its 175-year history lightly, embraces difference, and excels in involving all its students in a whole-person educational experience. Read the full Muddy review.

Contact them for a video appointment, phone call or tailor-made, personal tour around the school or book yourself onto one of their open events. Next ones: pre-prep & nursery Fri 10 Jan; virtual whole school open day Sat 1 Feb; in-person whole school Sat 8 Feb.

Bryanston, near Blandford Forum, Sat 11 & 18 Jan, Sat 1 Feb, Sat 15 & 22 March

An impressive co-educational full boarding school, with some day pupils, Bryanston, has a reputation for innovation, individualism and creativity – not to mention its glorious Dorset countryside setting. Bryanston won the Dynamic Performing Arts (Senior) category and were Highly Commended in the Giving Something Back category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review.

There are group visits to the Senior School on Sat 11 & 18 Jan, Sat 1 Feb, Sat 15 & 22 March. Call 01258 484633 or complete their online enquiry form.

Wells Cathedral School, Wells, Weds 15 Jan, Tues 5 March, Sat 8 March, Sat 15 March

One of the oldest schools in Europe, Wells has been educating cathedral choristers for over 1000 years. Today it educates children from 2-18 in a co-ed, mixed day and boarding environment and excels in sport, the arts and academics as well as giving career musicians one of the best musical educations in the world. Wells Cathedral School won the Dynamic Performing Arts (Prep) category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review.

Upcoming open events in 2025: Be a Specialist Musician for a Day Weds 15 January and Tues 4 March; Spring Open Day Sat 8 March; Be a Mathematician for a Day Sat 15 March; Summer Open Day Sat 10 May; Be a Mathematician for a Day Sat 14 Jun; Sat 20 Sept Autumn Open Day. For more info call admissions on 01749 834441 or email admissions@wells.cathedral.school. For more info call admissions on 01749 834441 or email admissions@wells.cathedral.school.

Springmead School, near Frome, Weds 22 Jan

This independent day school for girls and boys aged 2 to 11 years old, in beautiful Beckington, a picturesque village lying between Frome and Bath, has an impressive staff to pupil ratio, strong academics, sports and performing arts, and 35 extra-curricular clubs! Read the Muddy review.

Contact the school at admissions@springmead.com to arrange a personal visit or book a place on their next open morning on Weds 22 Jan.

Sidcot School, Winscombe, near Bristol, Fri 31 Jan

It’s a Quaker school but you don’t have to be a Quaker – or even religious – to come to this progressive, outward-looking co-ed day and boarding school which values independent thinkers of all abilities. The Senior School and Junior School & nursery sit alongside each other in 150 acres of beautiful North Somerset countryside on the edge of the Mendips. Read the Muddy review of the Senior School, and the Junior School.

Arrange a personal tour or book a place on their next Open Morning on Fri 31 Jan.

Badminton School, Bristol, Thurs 6 Feb, Fri 28 Feb

A dynamic day and boarding school for girls aged 4-18, the school’s careful balance of intellectual firepower with common courtesy and support stands its girls out from the crowd. Read the full Muddy review.

Register for an upcoming open day: Reception to Sixth Form Open Morning Thurs 6 Feb but the school is always happy to show prospective parents around. You can get in touch here.

Sunninghill Prep, Dorchester, Fri 7 Feb

A small co-ed prep not far from the Jurassic Coast, strong academically, musically and in water sports – especially sailing. Highly Commended in the Originality In Teaching Music And The Arts (prep school) category of the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023. Read the full Muddy review.

They usually hold three Open Morning a year, one per term, with the next one on Fri 7 Feb. Register here. Contact Tammy Newberry on 01305 262306 and at registrar@sunninghill.dorset.sch.uk for more info.

Hanford School, near Blandford Forum, Sat 8 Feb

This quintessentially English girls day and boarding school offers a true idyll of childhood with ponies, lots of quirky Hanford traditions and a strong family feel, but is also academically rigorous. Read the full Muddy review.

There are three Open Mornings a year – one a term – and the next one is Sat 8 Feb, but you can contact admissions@hanfordschool.co.uk or 01258 860219 to arrange a visit or find about more about the school at any time.

Milton Abbey, Milton Abbas, near Blandford Forum, Sat 1 March

A co-ed boarding school for 13-18 year olds offering a tailor-made approach to learning and one of the widest ranges of traditional and vocational courses in the independent sector – in a blissfully bucolic setting. Milton Abbey was a Finalist in the Passionate About Sport (Senior) category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review here.

Upcoming open day: Sat 1 March plus introductory mornings once a term for five families at a time and taster days. Book online or contact the Admissions Office via admissions@miltonabbey.co.uk or on 01258 881804.

Leweston, near Sherborne, Mon 3 – Fri 7 March, Mon 10–14 March

An independent, day and boarding Nursery, Prep and Senior school for boys and girls aged from 3 months to 18 years set within 46 acres – lawns, woods, follies – Leweston School lies three miles south of Sherborne. Unpretentious, friendly, it offers great all-round education with outstanding music and sports. Read the Muddy review of the Prep, and the Senior School.

Book a visit to the Prep, Mon 3 – 7 March. Book a visit to the Senior School, Mon 10–14 March.

Bryanston Prep, near Blandford Forum, Fri 7 March

Bryanston Prep, formerly Bryanston Knighton House, has all the advantages of a small rural prep – nurturing family feel, individualised learning in an idyllic countryside environment (ponies, orchards, woodlands) – and access to the Senior School’s superb facilities and opportunities. Read the full Muddy review.

Book a place on the Prep’s next open morning on Fri 7 March or contact admissions on 01258 452065 or via admissions-prep@bryanston.co.uk.

Hazlegrove Prep, Sparkford, Sat 8 March

The traditional exterior belies the forward-thinking, collaborative, empathatic and vibrant education within, with great sport, arts and extra curricular. Highly Commended in the Originality In Teaching Music And The Arts (prep school) category of the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023. Read the full Muddy review.

Book a place on an upcoming Open Day – the next one is Sat 8 March – or call the school on 01963 442606, email admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk to arrange a personal tour.

Downside, near Bath, Sat 8 March

The Catholic day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 11 to 18 is set in 500-acre grounds in the village of Stratton-on-the-Fosse, on the edge of the Mendip Hills, just 12 miles from the World Heritage City of Bath. With Benedictine values, steeped in history and tradition it’s still keeping ahead of the game. Downside was a Finalist in the Giving Something Back category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review. Upcoming open morning: Sat 8 March. Contact 01761 235103 or email admissions@downside.co.uk to arrange a personal visit.

Wellington School, Wellington, Sat 17 March, Weds 19 March

This genuinely good all rounder school with a heart, combines a classic grammar school education with private sector facilities and extra-curricular enrichment – and despite having plenty of trumpets to blow, it chooses not to do so. The school takes kids from 3 in the nursery right up 18 in the 6th Form. Wellington School was a Finalist in the Dynamic Performing Arts (Senior) category and Highly Commended in the Prepared for Life Award in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review.

Contact the Admissions Team on 01823 668803 or admissions@wellington-school.org.uk to arrange a personal visit, book yourself onto an open day, the next one is Sat 17 March. There’s a See the School in Action day on Weds 19 March.

Some schools and colleges don’t have fixed Open Days. Call to visit any time:

Bath Academy, Bath

The co-ed independent Sixth Form college for 14–18 year olds is housed in a Grade 1 listed Georgian townhouse in Bath’s beautiful yet bustling Queen Square. It’s perfect for students who’ve outgrown or don’t suit a conventional school environment, who’ve missed out on school for whatever reason or anyone wanting help with revision or re-sits to get the grades to get into the university of their choice. Read the Muddy review.

Email admissions@bathacademy.co.uk or call 01225 334 577.

Dumpton School, Wimborne

Set in 26 acres of grounds on the edge of the Dorset market town of Wimborne, this excellent independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13, delivers academically without sacrificing the fun of childhood and has an impressive commitment to outdoor learning (check out their forest school). Dumpton was a Finalist in the Giving Something Back category and was Highly Commended in The Debrett’s Education Award for Outstanding Pastoral Care in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review.

Contact Lerryn Chaffey, the Head’s PA, on 01202 883818.

Diaries out: Book in for these upcoming school Open Days in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol

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