Our Prep School
Our Prep school education is more than just preparing your child for their time at senior school. It is a time for challenge, excitement and fun. It is a period of discovery, where your child will determine who they want to be while they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. We are an independent co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 8-13. We’re located in 175 acres of stunning grounds within the South Downs National Park in Liphook, and welcome families from across Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey.
Prep school is, of course, a time of assessment and exams. This cannot be avoided. However, our exceptional teachers will carefully manage this time. They will ensure your child doesn’t simply focus on this part of their educational journey. It’s important that we work together to ensure that their love of learning remains and their carefully nurtured flame is not extinguished.
The process of self-discovery that your child will go through will also lead them to important points such as senior school applications. Our highly-experienced Senior Leadership Team will guide you through this journey. A Highfield and Brookham education gifts you exceptional choice as we feed more than 30 of the top day and boarding senior schools in the country. This means we can help your child find the right school for them. We have made the progressive decision to move away from the full Common Entrance syllabus but remain with Common Entrance in the core subjects. This has allowed us to create a bespoke curriculum that focuses on the essential skills that we know senior schools and future employers are seeking in young adults. Our promise to you is that your child will leave Year 8 as an adaptable, resilient and independent young person ready for the world ahead.
An excellent and very broad educational experience, combined with first-class pastoral care, great facilities in a wonderfully inspiring location.
What we’re up to…
Today we marked Windrush Day, recognising the contributions and lasting legacy of the Windrush generation. Our Year 5 children embraced the occasion by dressing in bright, vibrant colours, bringing a wonderful sense of joy across the school. We also enjoyed a fantastic Caribbean-inspired lunch, thoughtfully prepared by our catering team. Learning about the experiences and contributions of others helps our students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and an appreciation of the diverse communities they are part of. These opportunities encourage them to learn from others, an important skill in building strong communities and future leaders.
🎶 Happy World Music Day! 🎶 “You’re as good as the person next to you” is an ethos that shapes many of the musical experiences we offer at Highfield. There’s something special about making music alongside people who challenge and inspire you. That’s why we place such value on opportunities for our students to collaborate with other ensembles and professional musicians. Here’s a look back at our Family Film Music Concert at @stalbanshindhead, where the Highfield Orchestra joined Meridian Winds Concert Band for a performance of We Don’t Talk About Bruno, conducted by Marc Yarrow. #WorldMusicDay #WorldMusicDay2026 #FeteDelaMusique #MakeMusicDay #PrepSchool #MusicForAll
🎶 Happy World Music Day! 🎶 “You’re as good as the person next to you” is an ethos that shapes many of the musical experiences we offer at Highfield. There’s something special about making music alongside people who challenge and inspire you. That’s why we place such value on opportunities for our students to collaborate with other ensembles and professional musicians. Here’s a look back at our Family Film Music Concert at St. Alban’s Church, Hindhead, where the Highfield Orchestra joined Meridian Winds Concert Band for a performance of We Don’t Talk About Bruno, conducted by Marc Yarrow. #WorldMusicDay #WorldMusicDay2026 #FeteDelaMusique #MakeMusicDay #PrepSchool #MusicForAll
That’s a wrap on 3 of our 4 Sports Days with Middle and Upper Prep taking to the field tomorrow! It’s been an incredible few days filled with energy, determination, and outstanding team spirit. From exciting races to unforgettable moments of sportsmanship, our children have truly shone showing resilience, confidence, and pride in every event. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, coaches and supportive families for making these days so special. Your encouragement means everything to our children. We can’t wait to round things off with one final day of celebration tomorrow! #SportsDay2026 #PrepSchool #ParentCommunity #HampshireLife
This summer, Highfield and Brookham parent, Clare, is taking on the incredible challenge of the Verbier Marathon to raise funds for our Centenary Bursaries Fund. What makes this even more special is Clare’s deeply personal connection. Her own father benefitted from a bursary during his education, an opportunity that shaped his life. Now, as a parent of two children at Highfield, Clare is determined to help give that same life-changing chance to others. Read more and find out how to support Clare’s incredible efforts ➡
Our Year 8 students recently returned from Pembrokeshire with plenty of stories to to share! The value of a residential trip is not always found in the activities themselves, but in the moments that surround them. The conversations on the coach, the encouragement before trying something new and the stories shared at the end of the day all play a part in helping young people grow in confidence and develop as communicators. A huge thank you to the staff who accompanied the trip and helped make it such a memorable experience for everyone involved. 💛
There’s nothing quite like feeling the grass beneath your feet! 🌿 Our Nursery children took part in Sports Day barefoot this morning, enjoying all the benefits that barefoot movement brings. From building strength and confidence to supporting balance coordination and a connection with nature, going barefoot encourages children to move freely! Well done Nursery for taking the grassy feet, slips and slides all in your stride! 👏🏽 #IndependentSchool #SportsDay #EarlyYears #ChildDevelopment #OutdoorLearning
To mark Drowning Prevention Week, our students have been learning about water safety, recognising potential risks and exploring ways to stay safe in and around water. An important part of water safety is knowing how to communicate with others. Whether it’s calling for help, explaining an emergency, following instructions or alerting an adult if someone is in difficulty, strong communication skills can play an important role in keeping us and others safe. By helping our children develop these skills from an early age, we hope to give them the confidence to enjoy the water safely and know how to respond in different situations. 🏊♂️
How often do we zip up our child’s coat, carry their bag or tie their shoelace because it’s quicker to do it ourselves? In our latest blog, Georgie Hunter, Head of Pre-Prep and EYFS, reflects on the small everyday moments that help children develop independence, confidence and readiness for school. With September on the horizon, Georgie shares practical advice for families preparing for Reception and explains why the smallest acts of independence can make the biggest difference when children make this important transition. 🔗 Read the full blog here:
What do Year 8s need for a week in Wales? A sense of adventure. A willingness to step outside their comfort zone. Plenty of resilience. And, judging by some of their bags… an impressive quantity of snacks! Our students embraced every opportunity, from coasteering and kayaking to boat trips and mini Olympics. For the particularly brave, there was even the chance to get up close to giant insects at the Bug Farm! The snacks may not have made it home, but the memories, friendships and personal growth certainly will 💛 #IndependentSchool #Year8 #ConfidentCommunicators #Pembrokeshire #SchoolTrip
24 hours of stage setup in 30 seconds… As rehearsals get underway for our Year 8 end-of-year Shrek production, students are finally stepping onto the stage they have been working towards for months. One of the things we value most about school productions is the growth that happens before the performance itself. Rehearsals give students the opportunity to become more assured in themselves, learning how to communicate meaning through expression and connect with an audience. These aren’t just skills for the stage, but an important part of helping young people express themselves clearly and be heard in all areas of school life. We can’t wait to see it all come together. 🎭
This afternoon, we were delighted to welcome families to our Confirmation Service, followed by tea together in the dining hall. Confirmation is an important milestone, offering students the opportunity to reflect on their journey and publicly affirm their faith in the presence of family, friends and the wider school community. Moments like these help young people develop the confidence to express their beliefs and speak with sincerity about the values that matter to them. Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this special occasion!
🎥 Something special is coming… This week, cameras have been rolling across the school as we capture the next chapter in the Highfield story. A story rooted in our past, shaped by our present and united by one future. More to be revealed soon! #OneHighfield #IndependentSchool #PrepSchool #PrePrepSchool #Filming
Swim hats on, goggles at the ready! Our families filled the poolside as Year 2 proudly showcased their swimming skills at this year’s Swim Gala. They embraced the challenge of swimming in front of a crowd and showed great resilience, pushing themselves to the finish in every race. Well done, Year 2! 🏊♂️ #IndependentSchool #PrePrep #SwimmingGala #Courage #Resilience
🚜 Yesterday, our Nursery children took on their biggest adventure yet with a trip to Manor Farm in Southampton, including an hour-long coach journey! For many, this was a brand-new experience and they showed incredible courage from the moment they stepped onto the coach. At the farm, the children fed pigs and chickens, met guinea pigs up close and learned all about caring for animals. They even stepped into the role of farmers for the afternoon, and for a few hours Manor Farm had some very enthusiastic new farmers on its hands! The children represented the school brilliantly and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Judging by the naps on the way home, they had a fantastic time!
Through self-portraits and careful observation, our Year 6 pupils explored the features that make them unique! It was an opportunity to reflect on personal identity and express their authentic selves by noticing the details that make them recognisably themselves. They were encouraged to see their individuality as something to be valued and celebrated, knowing that each person brings something distinctive to the world around them. 🌍 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #ArtLesson #SelfPortrait #AuthenticSelf
What could possibly go wrong wearing cricket whites to a science lesson? Armed with measuring cylinders and a healthy dose of curiosity, our Year 6 pupils explored what happens when liquids of different densities meet. Like all good scientists, they were willing to take a risk, knowing that the outcome might not be exactly what they expected, but that is often where the most interesting discoveries begin. Fortunately, the cricket whites made it through the lesson unscathed! 🏏🧪 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #Courage #ScienceExperiments #RiskTaking
Through self-portraits and careful observation, our Year 6 pupils explored the features that make them unique! It was an opportunity to reflect on personal identity and express their authentic selves by noticing the details that make them recognisably themselves. They were encouraged to see their individuality as something to be valued and celebrated, knowing that each person brings something distinctive to the world around them. 🌍 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #ArtLesson #SelfPortrait #AuthenticSelf
What could possibly go wrong wearing cricket whites to a science lesson? Armed with measuring cylinders and a healthy dose of curiosity, our Year 6 pupils explored what happens when liquids of different densities meet. Like all good scientists, they were willing to take a risk, knowing that the outcome might not be exactly what they expected, but that is often where the most interesting discoveries begin. Fortunately, the cricket whites made it through the lesson unscathed! 🏏🧪 #PrepSchool #IndependentSchool #Courage #ScienceExperiments #RiskTaking
🎭 A look back at our recent @lamdadrama showcase… What you see here is just a few minutes of performance. What you don’t see are the hours spent learning lines, rehearsing and building their authentic identity as a performer. It’s this dedication that helped our pupils achieve an outstanding 100% Distinction rate in their recent LAMDA examinations. 👏 Head to the link in our bio to read our press release and learn more about this fantastic achievement!
Year 3 headed out on an orienteering expedition around Queen Elizabeth Country Park and quickly discovered that finding your way around isn’t quite as easy when you can’t ask your phone for directions! Armed with an ordnance survey map, the children had to work out which paths to take, decipher unfamiliar symbols and decide whether that tempting-looking shortcut through the forest was actually a good idea. The children showed great teamwork throughout, helping one another navigate the course and overcome the challenges they encountered. The adventure continued after lunch as the children brought their Science learning to life through a range of hands-on seed dispersal activities. A day of exploration, decision-making and learning that sometimes the best route forward isn’t always the most obvious one.🌲🧭
Rain certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm during Year 8 Scholars’ Week! Despite the downpours, pupils embraced the week’s adventures with curiosity and enthusiasm. From exploring the mosaics at Bignor Roman Villa to touring Oxford’s historic colleges, visiting a familiar Harry Potter filming location, and even taking to the waves at Hayling Island, there was plenty to discover along the way. The week also included a fantastic performance of “Frankie Goes to Bollywood”, which had everyone captivated from start to finish. And what better way to end the week than with an ice cream before heading home?
We’re warming things up on this rainy day with a look back at one of the many highlights from our Year 6 residential! 🔥 Pupils learned how to build and light fires, working together to master a new skill and enjoying the rewards of their efforts around the campfire. #PrepSchool #Year6Residential #OutdoorLearning #Courageous #Kindness #AuthenticThinking
🎵”When the rainy days are dyin’, Gotta keep on, keep on tryin'”🎵 Year 3 mountain biking was… let’s say character-building. Before heading out into our school grounds, the children took part in a skills session covering braking, safe turning, group riding and navigating different terrain. Then we went out. Into the rain. A lot of rain. Cold. Muddy. Understatement of the year. And they were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Charlie had his helmet off, ready to retire, suggested he needed a nap to re-energise. Helmet went back on. He kept going. Max’s pedal fell off two minutes in. So he ran the whole 5km course. Often leading the way. And he was joined by two ‘non-riders’ who instead of sitting it out wanted to join in as well. Alba was an absolute superstar, pushing through despite a “very big problem… my thumbs don’t work anymore.” We could not be more proud! #MountainBiking #PrepSchool #OutdoorLearning #Year3 #GrowthMindset #NeverGiveUp #EthicalResponsibility