Together we explore

Our Pre-Prep

Childhood is a time for fun and discovery through a wealth of learning opportunities. Our Pre-Prep is a special and unique place. Our aim is to give children the best possible start to their educational pathway, where friendships are made, individual academic excellence is achieved and happy memories are created. We are an independent Nursery, Pre-Prep and prep School in Liphook situated in 175 acres of stunning grounds in the South Downs National Park on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Children in our Pre-Prep develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills through play-based activities. Every day your child will have to opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom to activities in their shared areas or out in our fabulous 175-acre grounds. These hands-on opportunities give your child’s learning meaning and a grounding in the real world.

Our Pre-Prep children visit forest school several times a week. It provides a stimulating and engaging environment that encourages exploration, creativity and curiosity. Through being outdoors your child will develop an appreciation for the environment. They will learn to understand the significant impact they can have on sustainability for themselves and future generations by learning about environmental issues and taking meaningful actions to reduce their carbon footprint. We are fortunate to have two libraries at school and one is reserved for exclusive use by our Pre-Prep children. It has been carefully curated to instil a love of books and reading in all our children and to help your child to discover the magic that books bring, inspiring them in every topic from expeditions and exercise to Fairtrade and faraway places. Storytime and our robust phonics programme will help your child to develop crucial skills such as communication and comprehension.

Alongside the core curriculum, in the Pre-Prep your child will enjoy weekly swimming lessons in additional to their games and PE lessons. They will develop a positive attitude toward exercise and will grow to understand that a healthy body means a healthy mind, helping your child gain insight on how they learn best. A Pre-Prep education is one to be cherished. It is a time to develop the foundations for a love of learning where challenges are seen as positive experiences and every activity is approached with a smile, laughter and a can-do attitude.

Request a prospectus
Book a visit
Register your child
Seeing the pre-prep children jump into wellies and waterproof trousers in record time and charge out to break was fabulous.

Lessons

Our Pre-Prep timetable has been meticulously curated to ensure we get the best out of your child throughout the day. Your child will benefit from being taught maths and English every morning by their highly-qualified class teacher. They then embark on a day full of incredible lessons, including music, games, PE, Spanish and swimming which are all delivered by subject specialist teachers. Lessons are either taught as a single lesson of half an hour or to allow, your child to really get stuck in, some lessons are scheduled as a double one-hour lesson.

The timetable also ensures the Pre-Prep children can make the most of our incredible facilities as well as our amazing teachers. The acres of woodland just a stone’s throw from their classroom door is home to your child’s forest school lessons. Our on-site, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, which is heated by a renewal energy source in the shape of our woodchip biomass boiler, is where your child will learn to swim. For their music lessons, your child will head over to our purpose-built Music School to be surrounded by musical inspiration and every instrument they could possibly dream of – everything from African drums to a grand piano. Our Art Studio is where our Pre-Prep and Prep school children delve into painting, pottery and collage, allowing your child to share their creative vision with their older peers. The sports hall, astro and endless fields and pitches will give your child the space to breathe, stretch their physical muscles and discover their sporting prowess.

Food

Great children need great food which is why we hire a fantastic team of chefs, bakers and cooks to keep your child well fuelled throughout the day. Morning break is at 10am, the same time as our Prep school children. Your child will enjoy a carbohydrate-based snack to provide them with a slow release of energy to power them through their morning lessons.

Lunch break for our Pre-Prep children is at 11.45am when your child will enjoy a good run around outside as well as a nutritious meal before returning to lessons at 1pm. Your child’s lunch is freshly prepared on site by our in-house Catering Team. We offer a wide choice of dishes to ensure we cater for all tastes. There are always hot and cold options, with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. Vegetarians, vegans and those with special dietary requirements are well catered for.

Our seasonal menus operate on a three-week rotation and aim to educate your child about healthy choices and responsible eating.

Logistics

The Pre-Prep week

7.30am Breakfast club (Optional £)

8am Before school care

8.15am Gates open

8.30am Registration

10.30am Morning break

11.40am Lunch break

3.30pm School day ends

3.30pm After school clubs (optional)

4.30pm Clubs end

4.30pm Picnic tea and play (optional £)

6.30pm Last pick up

Drop off

The doors to our pre-prep swing open for children at 8.15am ready for your child to start their day promptly at 8.30am. We know and completely understand that mornings can be busy for many families, with parents juggling school drop off, work and other commitments. It’s important that your child’s start to the day is calm and stress free to set them up for a successful say of learning. That’s why we offer an earlier 8am drop off option for those families who need it, at no extra charge.

Many of our families make use of our breakfast club, which opens for our Nursery children at 7.30am. Breakfast club takes place in the dining hall and your child will be spoilt for choice for what to have for breakfast. There is always a hot option such as beans on toast as well cereal, porridge, yoghurt, toast and fresh fruit. A truly hearty breakfast to kickstart their active day ahead.

After school

The school day finishes at 3.30pm but your child’s time with us does not have to stop there. There is a plethora of after-school clubs for your child to choose from. But not before they have had a snack for a well-earned energy boost to see them through the next hour of excitement. There are four categories of clubs: academic, skill development, artistic and physical and we encourage your child to try to choose one club from each group to give themselves the opportunity to explore new interests. Many of our clubs are run by our teachers who are passionate about a certain sport, subject or hobby and are free of charge. We also invite external professionals to run clubs such as Karate, modern dance or cookery, which do incur additional costs.

If there isn’t a club that takes your child’s fancy but you need your child to be looked after, they can join our after school care which runs until 4.30pm. We know life is exceptionally busy for all families which is why, in addition to our after school provision, we also offer picnic tea and play. In this popular session your child will be served a high tea which they will enjoy as a picnic with their friends. There will be lots of games and activities on offer for your child until 6.30pm.

Request a prospectus
Book a visit
Register your child

What we’re up to…

As the anticipation builds for our much-loved Bonfire Night, so does the bonfire itself! Our dedicated Grounds Team has been hard at work preparing the fire for one of the school’s most cherished events of the year. Excitement is certainly in the air as we get ready for this special evening on the school calendar. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeEnjoy #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

The sun came out and so did the smiles at our Multi-Sports course! Led by the fantastic Assure Coaching team, the children enjoyed a variety of fun, sports-inspired games and activities, from dodgeball and football to hockey, human battleships and team challenges. There was something for everyone to enjoy, and it was wonderful to see new friendships forming as the children played together. #TogetherWeGrow #SchoolHolidayCourses #WeLoveSport #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Spooky happenings were afoot on the Junior Cookery course today! Our young chefs cooked up some frightfully fun delights, including Butter Bean ‘Ghoulash’, Toffee Apple Chocolate Slices, Chocolate Orange Pumpkin Cakes and Smoked Beetroot Houmous. There was plenty of chopping, slicing, stirring and baking as they brought their eerie creations to life – and they even cooked their own lunch too! #TogetherWeGrow #SchoolHolidayCourses #WeLoveToCook #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

It was such a pleasure to welcome Jordon back to school and true to form, he made a beeline for the playing fields to watch the boys in footballing action. Jordon joined us in Year 7, and it was wonderful to hear just how much those two years meant to him. He spoke warmly about how the space and opportunities here helped spark his passion for sport, especially football. We were so proud to hear that he’s taken that passion with him to @charterhousesch, and even more so to see him now captaining the Turks and Caicos U15 national team. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

They say ‘it takes a village’ – and that’s exactly what our Boarding Team is. We are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring team who make Highfield and Brookham a genuine home away from home for our boarders. Through their warmth and dedication, they create a nurturing community where children feel happy, supported and part of a family. Friendships blossom, confidence grows and memories are made that last a lifetime. #TogetherWeGrow #BoardingSchool #Boarding #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We’ve unveiled our newly redesigned Year 4 classrooms this term and they’re so much more than a refurbishment. The transformation reflects our ongoing commitment to creating inspiring, purposeful learning spaces that meet the needs of today’s children and prepare them for the future. Click the link below to read more. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Old Highfieldian, William (Class of 2021), now at @sherborneboys , has completed an incredible 103-mile walk to raise money for Highfield Highreach Holidays – our volunteer-run programme providing week-long residential breaks for children and young adults with additional needs. Having volunteered himself, William was so inspired by this wonderful initiative that he wanted to give something back. Setting off from Sherborne on Monday 20th October and arriving at Highfield and Brookham on Friday evening, he covered the distance in just five days. So far, he’s raised nearly £2,300, and if you’d like to help him reach his target, please head to the link in our bio to donate. We couldn’t be prouder of William and this truly inspiring achievement. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

The glorious autumn colours have sparked so much creativity among the children on our Nature Crafting course, led by the wonderful team at Corylus Collective . They’ve been busy making all sorts of creations, from hessian owl lavender-scented doorstops and jute string pumpkins to wood slice fox decorations, conker spider webs, and beautiful leaf art. It’s amazing what can be made with a little imagination and a helping hand from Mother Nature. #TogetherWeGrow #NatureCrafting #LearnOutdoors #Creativity #SchoolHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

A magical education that lasts a lifetime. Join us for our Open Morning on Friday 28th November and discover what makes Highfield and Brookham a special place for children to grow, learn and thrive. With 175 acres of opportunity, our school offers a nurturing environment, inspiring teaching and a strong community for ages 2–13. See how we prepare children not just for senior school, but for life. We’d love to welcome you. Head to our bio above to book your place. #TogetherWeGrow #HighfieldandBrookham #OpenMorning #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrep #Nursery #HampshireSchools #SurreySchools #WestSussexSchools #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

It’s always wonderful to pause and appreciate the beauty around us and the way each season transforms our surroundings. Autumn is especially breathtaking here, with the grounds coming alive in a spectacular display of colour. We’re so grateful to our dedicated Grounds Team for the care and attention they put into maintaining this beautiful site for our community to enjoy and learn in. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeExplore #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Kickstart the festive season and get ahead of the Christmas rush – join us for a magical Christmas Shopping Evening on Friday 14th November, from 3:30pm to 7:00pm! Enjoy a one-stop festive shopping experience with an incredible mix of local independent stallholders, discover thoughtful gifts, seasonal treats and something special for everyone on your list. @agapesophia_ Albi&Mac By Joanna Ltd @casasantelia @chuckle_soaps Combe Cottage Pottery Craftiful Studio @eco_deco11 @fieldflowershaslemere @fior_skin_care Honeysuckle and Rose Honey Dot Designs @jbpostcards Kaboodlebag @kirstygilespottery Little Fish, Sushi in the Sticks Mousekins.com Noble and Stace Chocolatiers @oarsum_ @100_acres Pup Goes The Easel @ramstergarden.events @reia_store @samfairbairnart @suegriffiths_jewelleryparties @smithyanco @sewn_by_celia @thehawkleyinn Tisan Jewellery Tucca Swim @willinghurstestate @ziorva #SupportLocal #ShopLocal #TogetherWeGrow #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Year 5 and 6 treated us to a wonderful afternoon of music at their autumn term concert. From rock bands to piano, recorder and singing solos, every performance was delivered with heart and enthusiasm. The audience was completely captivated and there was certainly plenty of toe tapping along the way. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #AimingHigh #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Kickstart the festive season and get ahead of the Christmas rush – join us for a magical Christmas Shopping Evening on Friday 14th November, from 3:30pm to 7:00pm! Enjoy a one-stop festive shopping experience with an incredible mix of local independent stallholders, discover thoughtful gifts, seasonal treats and something special for everyone on your list. @agapesophia_ @albiandmac @byjoannaofficial @casasantelia @chuckle_soaps @combecottagepottery @craftiful.thecreativestudio @eco_deco11 @fieldflowershaslemere @fior_skin_care @honeysuckleandroseuk @honeydotdesigns @jbpostcards @kaboodlebag @kirstygilespottery @littlefishsushiinthesticks Mousekins.com @nobleandstace @oarsum_ @100_acres @pupgoestheeasel @ramstergarden.events @reia_store @samfairbairnart @suegriffiths_jewelleryparties @smithyanco @sewn_by_celia @thehawkleyinn @tisanjewellery @tuccaswim @willinghurstestate @ziorva #SupportLocal #ShopLocal #TogetherWeGrow #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

There’s nothing better than being outdoors with friends, having fun and learning new skills and the children on this week’s Bushcraft course did just that. Rain didn’t dampen their spirits as they threw themselves into every activity, from building camps and carving pumpkins to toasting s’mores over the fire. It was a joy to see such big smiles and a real sense of adventure all round. #TogetherWeGrow #SchoolHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our new school magazine is out now! Head to the link in our bio to read. Copies also available from the school reception. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCelebrate #SchoolMagazine #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

The new school magazine is out! Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/School-Magazine-24-25. Copies also available from the school reception. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCelebrate #SchoolMagazine #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

The children on this week’s Multi-Activities course have been busy from start to finish, ziplining, building dens in the woods, swimming, making crafts, playing football and so much more. With something for everyone to enjoy, the course has truly lived up to its name. It’s a week full of laughter, energy and new friendships, all wrapped up in a wonderfully active and fun-filled experience. #TogetherWeGrow #SchoolHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We’re so proud of our amazing gymnastics team who recently took part in a brand-new competition hosted at @churchers1722. The girls gave outstanding performances on both vault and floor, showing real skill, determination and team spirit. Their hard work paid off with an incredible medal haul, two golds, one silver and one bronze. A huge well done to the whole team on such a fantastic achievement! #TogetherWeGrow #Teamwork #AimingHigh #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

A magical education that lasts a lifetime. Join us for our Open Morning on Friday 28th November and discover what makes Highfield and Brookham a special place for children to grow, learn and thrive. With 175 acres of opportunity, our school offers a nurturing environment, inspiring teaching and a strong community for ages 2–13. See how we prepare children not just for senior school, but for life. We’d love to welcome you. Book your place today: https://bit.ly/4hlM7bL #TogetherWeGrow #HighfieldandBrookham #OpenMorning #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrep #Nursery #HampshireSchools #SurreySchools #WestSussexSchools #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Excitement filled the school as children from Years 3 to 8 took to the stage for our much-anticipated House Poetry Competition, performing in front of their peers and captivating the audience with laughter and moments of quiet awe. From the haunting words of Edgar Allan Poe to the witty verses of Pam Ayres, the standard was exceptionally high. Guest judge Joshua Levine, bestselling author and historian, praised the talent and creativity on display. Congratulations to all who took part, with Waterloo House taking the win and Livia Dickson named overall individual winner. #TogetherWeGrow #WeLovePoetry #AimingHigh #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Excitement filled the school as children from Years 3 to 8 took to the stage for our much-anticipated House Poetry Competition, performing in front of their peers and captivating the audience with laughter and moments of quiet awe. From the haunting words of Edgar Allan Poe to the witty verses of Pam Ayres, the standard was exceptionally high. Guest judge Joshua Levine, bestselling author and historian, praised the talent and creativity on display. Congratulations to all who took part, with Waterloo House taking the win and Livia Dickson named overall individual winner. #TogetherWeGrow #WeLovePoetry #AimingHigh #Creativity #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

A heartwarming moment in Nursery as the children were awarded a special recognition from our head chef for their lovely manners at lunchtime. We’re so proud of the kindness and respect they show each day – it’s these small moments that help nurture big values. #TogetherWeGrow #AimingHigh #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our young scientists in Year 1 have been experimenting with different materials to create their own sponges. They investigated which were the most absorbent, developing their observation skills and scientific thinking. Their minds were like little sponges too, soaking up new vocabulary, big ideas and a real sense of discovery. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Listening #AimingHigh #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

There was tea, cake and plenty of cheerful chatter shared across generations in the Pavilion Café, as Year 8 welcomed their friends from the @liphookdaycentre for afternoon tea. The children regularly visit the centre to enjoy board games, conversations and the occasional choir performance, so it was a real pleasure to invite their friends to the school. #TogetherWeGrow #Listening #CommunityInAction #TeaAndTogetherness #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

There have been some mysterious goings-on in the boarders’ dorms… With a shared sense of spooky spirit, the children transformed their rooms into haunting hideaways, all vying for the title of ‘Best in Spooky Class’. From cobwebs to creepy creatures, their imaginations ran wild, with results both marvellously macabre and brilliantly creative. The fun didn’t stop there; trick-or-treating and a chilling night-time walk through the woods brought just the right touch of frightful delight. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeCreate #Teamwork #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

view all news