Bryanston, near Blandford Forum, Sat 7 & Fri 20 Sept; Sat 9 Nov, Fri 15 Nov, Sat 7 Dec

This impressive co-educational full boarding school, with some day pupils, 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.

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.

There are group visits to the Senior School on Sat 7 & Fri 20 Sept; Sat 9 Nov, Fri 15 Nov, Sat 7 Dec. Call 01258 484633 or complete their online enquiry form. Book a place on the Prep’s next open morning on Fri 27 Sept, or contact admissions on 01258 452065 or via admissions-prep@bryanston.co.uk

Wellington School, Wellington, Sat 21 Sept

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 21 Sept.

Leweston, near Sherborne, Mon 23– Fri 27 Sept, Fri 4 Oct, Mon 7-Fri 11 Oct, Mon 11–Fri 15 Nov, Mon 18–Fri 22 Nov

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 23– Fri 27 Sept, Mon 11–Fri 15 Nov. Book a visit to the Senior School, Mon 7-Fri 11 Oct, Mon 18–Fri 22 Nov. Sixth Form info evening Fri 4 Oct.

Springmead School & Nursery, near Frome, Weds 25 Sept

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 25 Sept.

Sidcot School, Winscombe, near Bristol, Fri 27 Sept

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 27 Sept.

King’s College Taunton, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Sept

King’s College is an independent, co-ed day and boarding school for 2 to 18 year olds. The Senior School sits in over 80 acres on the south side of Somerset’s county town of Taunton, with King’s College Prep School in nearby Cheddon Fitzpaine, in the foothills of the Quantocks. The Senior School is first rate in sport – especially cricket – and has a brilliant 6th form but is also strong on academics, co-curricular and, above all, community. Read the full Muddy review. The Prep is also renowned for its cricket but we think you’ll be bowled over by the sport, academics and outdoor education too. Read the full Muddy review.

Visit the school and see for yourself on a personal tour, taster day, or on one of its open days in spring and autumn. Reserve your place on the next ones: Fri 27 Sept for the Prep & Sat 28 Sept for the Senior.

Badminton School, Bristol, Sat 28 Sept

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 Sat 28 Sept, but the school is always happy to show prospective parents around. You can get in touch here.

Taunton School, Taunton, Sat 28 Sept, Sat 5 Oct, Fri 11 Oct

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: Virtual, Sat 28 Sept; Whole School Open Morning, Sat 5 Oct; 6th Form, Fri 11 Oct.

Kingswood School, Bath, Sat 28 Sept, Weds 2 Oct, Thurs 10 Oct

The only school founded by famous Methodist John Wesley (but it’s not too ‘religious’), offers a good-all round education with excellent results and pastoral care to match. Read the full Muddy review of the Senior School.

Children can be children at the co-ed Prep and Nursery, which is self-contained but shares the same site, with Scandi-style facilities and more, set in 100-acres of parklands overlooking the city. Kingswood Prep won the Excellence In STEM (Prep) category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024. Read the full Muddy review of the Prep & Nursery.

Contact admissions for info on arranging a personal visit or book yourself onto one of their Open Events: Senior School Open Day (Years 7 to 13) Sat 28 Sept; Sixth Form Open Day, Wed 2 Oct; Prep School in Action, Thurs 10 Oct.

Port Regis, near Shaftesbury, Fri 4 Oct

This co-ed, day and boarding prep school for children aged 2 to 13 in the heart of the 150-acre Motcombe Park on the Dorset/Wiltshire borders, is one of the great prep schools, with outstanding facilities and results – and lots of fun. Read the full Muddy review here. Port Regis won the Championing Sustainability category and was Highly Commended in the Excellence in STEM (Prep) category in the Muddy Best Schools Awards 2024.

The next open Morning for both Prep-Prep and Prep is Fri 4 Oct. To arrange a private tour, please contact the Head of Admissions on admissions@portregis.com or 01747 857914.

Hazlegrove Prep, Sparkford, Sat 5 Oct

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 5 Oct – or call the school on 01963 442606, email admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk to arrange a personal tour.

Milton Abbey, Milton Abbas, near Blandford Forum, Sat 5 Oct

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 5 Oct 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.

Downside, near Bath, Sat 5 Oct

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 5 Oct. Contact 01761 235103 or email admissions@downside.co.uk to arrange a personal visit.

Wells Cathedral School, Wells, Sat 5 Oct, Weds 6 Nov

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: Whole School Open Day, Sat 5 October; Pre-Prep Open Morning, Weds 6 November. Specialist days: Be a Chorister for a day, Sat 21 September; Be a Specialist Musician for a day, Weds 2 October; Be a Mathematician for the day, Sat 9 November; Be a Specialist Musician for a day, Weds 20 November. For more info call admissions on 01749 834441 or email admissions@wells.cathedral.school.

Canford School, Canford Magna, near Wimborne, Sat 5 Oct

A boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 13-18, leading the way academically in the region and offering a whole host of co-curricular opportunities allowing every pupil to ‘Explore, Express and Excel’. Creative arts are thriving, with Canford a Finalist in the Originality In Teaching Music And The Arts (senior school) category of the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023. Read the full Muddy review.

Book a place on an Open Morning, the next one is Sat 5 October, with separate events for Year 9 and Sixth Form entry. Alternatively, contact the admissions team to find out more: admissions@canford.com

Sunninghill Prep, Dorchester, Sat 5 Oct

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 Sat 5 Oct. Register here. Contact Tammy Newberry on 01305 262306 and at registrar@sunninghill.dorset.sch.uk for more info.

Park School, Bournemouth, Thurs 10 Oct

A small and vibrant, family-focused co-ed nursery and school for 3 months to 11 years, on a quiet and leafy street in the residential Queen’s Park area of Bournemouth – about 15 mins from the beach at Hengistbury Head – prepares happy, confident and well-rounded children for state grammars and the independent sector. Read the full Muddy review.

Take a guided tour, meet some of the pupils, the staff and the Head at their next open morning on Thurs 10 Oct, or call the school on 01202 396640 to arrange an individual visit.

Castle Court Prep, Wimborne, 10 Oct

A co-ed day school catering for ages 3-13, Castle Court Prep school enjoys an idyllic 60-acre rural setting – yet it’s only four miles outside Poole and eight miles from Bournemouth – with a lovely country house at its heart. It’s great for for those going onto state grammars as well as the private sector. Read the full Muddy review.

Their next Open Morning is on Thurs 10 Oct, 9.30am until 11.30am. Contact Admissions Registrar, Jane Robson, 01202 694438 or jrobson@castlecourt.com.

Hanford School, near Blandford Forum, Sat 12 Oct

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 12 Oct, 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.

CALL TO ARRANGE A VISIT

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.

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: school open days in Somerset, Dorset & Bristol Autumn 2024

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