Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

<p>Worked there for 25 years. It is an amazing place, offering the best education for all the pupils.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/King-Edward-VI-Prep-Stroud-House-with-Mini-bus-2024-1-1000x668.jpg" alt="King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34885" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/King-Edward-VI-Prep-Stroud-House-with-Mini-bus-2024-1-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/King-Edward-VI-Prep-Stroud-House-with-Mini-bus-2024-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/King-Edward-VI-Prep-Stroud-House-with-Mini-bus-2024-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/King-Edward-VI-Prep-Stroud-House-with-Mini-bus-2024-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Set in 22 acres of countryside in Romsey (20 mins from Winchester and Southampton), King Edward VI Preparatory is a well-respected, gently-selective co-ed prep school for children aged 2-11, housed in a grand Victorian manor house with wisteria-covered stone porch. </p>



<p>Founded in 1926 and previously named Stroud School, King Edward VI Preparatory has 300 pupils with a 55/45 boys/girls split. With year groups averaging 16 &#8211; 18 per class, there’s no absence of attention.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Most pupils head on to King Edward VI Preparatory&#8217;s senior school, <a aria-label="King Edward VI School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/king-edward-vi-school-southampton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Edward VI School</a>, in Southampton. All pupils achieving at the appropriate level in their studies by the end of Year 5 are awarded a guaranteed place for Year 7, meaning no external examinations and anxious waits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities">FACILITIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-outdoors.jpg" alt="outdoor classroom at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34888" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-outdoors.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-outdoors-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-outdoors-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-outdoors-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The school has expanded beyond the traditional building, with modern wood-and-glass classrooms in blocks around the site for Nursery and Lower Prep. </p>



<p>Additionally, there&#8217;s an outdoor pool (weekly swimming lessons for all year groups April-Sept), huge sports hall, riding paddock, dance studio, music practice rooms, a science lab, dedicated ICT suites for both Lower Prep and Upper Prep children, plus a Masterchef-style food tech kitchen and a newly-expanded Wellbeing Centre. </p>



<p>If you’re looking for a more unusual addition, how about an on-school farm? It comes complete with chickens, pygmy goats, beehives and three resident ponies. Outdoor learning is part-and-parcel of this establishment and this is reflected in the farm, alongside the woodland forest school behind the main site.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sport">SPORT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-sport.jpg" alt="girl playing sport with teacher at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34889" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-sport.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-sport-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-sport-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-sport-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Sport assumes an inclusive approach at King Edward VI Preparatory – definitely a case here of&nbsp;the taking part that counts. Traditional sports are part of school life &#8211; boys play rugby, football, hockey and cricket, while girls take on netball, hockey and cricket. </p>



<p>King Edward VI Preparatory was, in fact, one of the first schools to offer cricket to all boys and girls from Year 3 upwards, suggesting a willingness to embrace new ideas. Certainly, alternative sports play a big part in the curriculum, such as handball, volleyball and lacrosse, alongside athletics and swimming in the Summer Term. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s a busy sports programme too &#8211; in 2023, over 1,000 pupils from other independent and state schools competed in festivals and tournaments hosted at King Edward VI Preparatory, including The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) rugby, cross country, football tournaments, a netball festival and a cricket festival. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics">ACADEMICS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-2.jpg" alt="Teacher at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34891" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In the most recent <a aria-label="In the most recent ISI report of November 2019 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.isi.net/school/stroud-school-king-edward-vi-prep-school-7073" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISI report</a>, King Edward VI Preparatory received ‘Excellent’ status, noting the children’s ‘outstanding linguistic and mathematical skills’. English and Maths are set by ability from Year 5 upwards. Public speaking is a real focus; all children take part in their school competition from Year 3.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-Virtual-Reality.jpg" alt="Pupil wearing VR headset at Teacher at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34894" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-Virtual-Reality.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-Virtual-Reality-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-Virtual-Reality-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-Virtual-Reality-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Subject specialists teach throughout the school. All children from Nursery to Year 2 are taught ICT, Music, French, PE and Forest School by specialists. Years 3 to 6 also gain more specialist teachers in Art and Design Technology.</p>



<p>While the majority of leavers move onto King Edward VI &#8211; and have a guaranteed pathway to the senior school &#8211; children have been accepted into other top schools, including St. Swithun&#8217;s, Canford, Lord Wandsworth College and Winchester College, reflecting the academic standards here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-art-amp-drama">MUSIC, ART &amp; DRAMA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/KES-Prep-music.jpg" alt="music at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34892" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/KES-Prep-music.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/KES-Prep-music-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/KES-Prep-music-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/KES-Prep-music-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Music, Art and Drama are strong at King Edward VI Preparatory. I was particularly impressed with the enthusiastic Head of Art who teaches painting and drawing, alongside ceramics and glasswork, using the on-site kiln.</p>



<p>Performing arts are encouraged through the annual school performances, Speech and Drama lessons and lots of co-curricular activities like ballet, choirs, orchestra and performing arts.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral">PASTORAL</h2>



<p>There’s a strong feeling that nurturing, pastoral care is good at King Edward VI Preparatory. I noticed a real friendliness between staff and pupils. An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) is on hand in a dedicated Wellbeing Centre that offers a cosy space for children to come for personalised support, or just to take a breather.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-littlies">LITTLIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-littlies.jpg" alt="children at Teacher at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34893" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-littlies.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-littlies-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-littlies-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-littlies-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Currently, children can join the nursery from age 3, which is open for 51 weeks of the year. Younger pupils have their own modern, light Early Years building with the usual free-flowing space between classrooms and the outdoor areas. On my visit, children were whizzing around on bikes and I spotted a free play outdoor courtyard with a Fort, workshop and mud kitchen and a covered outdoor classroom area for rainy days.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-headteacher">THE HEADTEACHER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith.jpg" alt="Becky Smith" class="wp-image-19736" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith-720x481.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/09/Becky-Smith-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Rebecca Smith started as headmistress in September 2020, but has actually been a teacher at King Edward VI Preparatory twice before &#8211; once as Head of English and again as Deputy Head. Before returning to the school, she was Head of Prep at St. Swithun’s in Winchester. </p>



<p>Looking ahead, Smith’s vision is to continue to strengthen the 2-18 educational journey with King Edward VI School. She&#8217;s also focused on balancing the school&#8217;s strong academic provision with outdoor activities, making the most of the woodland, stream, orchards and paddock here. </p>



<p>Other plans include adding Engineering to the prep school curriculum to help pupils develop their creative problem solving skills, with a new STEAM building (for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths) now in the pipeline.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping.jpg" alt="Beehive beekeeping Stroud School" class="wp-image-25268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/01/Stroud-School-beekeeping-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Well, I don’t come across that many school farms! Chickens (fed by the little ones), bee hives (so great to see that – I had one at my school and loved it) and pygmy goats live alongside two ponies. There are large ponds used for pond dipping and ecology studies. Veg boxes sit just outside the Pre Prep classrooms and the school continues to prioritise sustainability. </p>



<p>Early Years up to Year 2 take Forest School every week and Beach School, where, yes, they go to the beach. King Edward VI Preparatory also has an Outdoor Ranger who focuses on making the most of the school’s extensive natural areas whilst developing learning outside the classroom across all year groups.</p>



<p>Horse riding is very popular here, thanks to the resident ponies and on-site paddock. It’s not only encouraged as a sport but also for pastoral care. I’m told when a child puts their chin on the gate, the ponies intuitively know to comfort them.</p>



<p>Smart, modern cooking facilities are used from Year 3 upwards. Older children design menus (literally) as well as plan and cook a three-course meal for their parents as an end-of-school celebration under the watchful eye of a professional chef. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ISI REPORT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-art.jpg" alt="art at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34887" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-art.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-art-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-art-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-art-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.isi.net/school/stroud-school-king-edward-vi-prep-school-7073" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The latest ISI Report was in November 2019</a>. The quality of pupils academic achievements and personal development were both rated as Excellent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>Full and part-time nursery places are available with 15 hours per week of EYE funding. Reception is £4,060 per term. Pre Prep (Years 1-2) is £4,285 per term. Lower Prep (Year 3) is £4,980 rising to £6,525 at Year 4. Upper Prep (Years 5 and 6) is £6,525 per term. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care">WRAP AROUND CARE</h2>



<p>The school day kicks off at 8.40am for Years 3 to 6, and 9am for Nursery to Year 2. Car park traffic is reduced by a staggered finish with Nursery and Reception ending at 3.30pm, Year 1 and 2 at 3.45pm, and Year 3 to Year 6 at 4.30pm.</p>



<p>Siblings in pre-prep are offered free after-school care from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, while they wait for older siblings to finish, which is a lovely (and unusual) touch. All children can stay to complete prep &#8211; or take part in the many varied after-school activities &#8211; from 4.30pm to 5.45pm every day, for an extra charge.</p>



<p>Activities include gymnastics, cricket, swimming, performing arts, debating and the intriguing Forensic Science among others. Farm Club is a real favourite among the younger years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher.jpg" alt="Teacher at King Edward VI Prep school Romsey Hampshire" class="wp-image-34890" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/KES-Prep-teacher-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>King Edward VI Preparatory is known among parents for its warm, inclusive vibe, with outdoorsy activities prioritised alongside academics. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>An all-encompassing, wholesome approach to education with great academics, a good dose of outdoor learning and a family feel. Those that love horse riding will fall in love with ponies, Tully, Clippy and Buttons. The formalised process of guaranteed places at King Edward VI, Southampton for King Edward VI Preparatory pupils takes away the anxiety of entrance exams.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not good for: </strong>If you want to focus your child solely on academic success without other curricula distractions, then King Edward VI Preparatory might not be for your child. The impetus here is on cultivating interpersonal skills, just as much as academic ability. </p>



<p><strong>Don’t take our word for it: </strong>Book now for the <a href="https://prep.kes.school/26/visit-us">Nursery &amp; Reception – Little Performers</a> open event on Friday 22 November. Individual tours for prospective parents are also available by arrangement. </p>



<p><em>King Edward VI Preparatory</em>,<em> Highwood House, Highwood Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9ZH. Tel: 01794 513231.</em> <a href="https://prep.kes.school/"><em>prep.kes.school</em></a></p>


King Edward VI Preparatory School, Romsey

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