Ten Reasons to Choose Sedbergh Prep

1. A spirit of adventure

Through careful and sensitive teaching, we aim to foster a spirit of adventure, both in and outside the classroom. Our curriculum is ambitious and equips pupils with the necessary skills for future success, yet is delivered in a setting of timeless beauty within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From local field trips in geography, through to our popular bushcraft activity ‘Wolf Pack’, we provide pupils with the space and time to enjoy their childhood.

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2. Individualised teaching and learning

Our smaller class sizes allow us to focus on individually tailoring each child’s learning journey throughout the School. We aim to develop happy, confident children with a ‘can-do’ attitude. This is driven by our team of dedicated teachers, who ensure each child feels secure and supported with their learning.

“They’re encouraging her to be her best self.  It is very tailored to the individual” Parent comment

3.Unrivalled facilities

We are a Reception to Year 8 Prep School that is blessed with the facilities of a larger school site. We have at our disposal DT and robotics workshops, science and computer labs, an extensive library, all-weather astro pitch, stables, a swimming pool and target shooting range. And we love to make use of them all!

4. Creative curriculum

Our curriculum puts creativity at its heart, facilitating opportunities for the children to discover, apply and communicate what they have learned. It promotes active engagement, originality, problem-solving and independent learning in the classroom, skills that will all be needed in the workplace of tomorrow.

“At his previous school his interest… was starting to wane.  It has been reignited at Sedbergh.  It’s the way he is taught and the enthusiasm of the teachers.” Parent comment

5. Sports and activities

The foundation for Sedbergh’s sports renown is built at the Prep School. Our recipe for success is simple. We play sport at least five days a week, and all pupils receive top class coaching regardless of their ability, with an emphasis on fun as well as effort. The main sports within the school are athletics, cricket, cross country, hockey, netball, rugby, swimming, target shooting and tennis.

We also have a wide range of additional activities that children can get involved with outside their timetabled lessons. Our Pre-Prep children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have the option to stay for after school clubs each week day between 15:45, when their formal school day finishes, and 17:00. Every child from Year 3 to 8 chooses an activity to be part of on a Friday afternoon such as biking, cookery, pony care and everything in between. We also offer the opportunity for children to take part in paid activities including instrumental music, LAMDA, tennis and horse riding lessons. These activities help to develop pupils’ confidence, independence and breadth of interest, whilst providing pupils with the opportunity to try new experiences and learn new skills.

“She has thrown herself wholeheartedly into every activity.  She has rifle shooting, horse riding and is doing touch rugby, netball and hockey.” ​Parent comment

6. Flexible boarding options

Boarding lies at the heart of our school, building a unique sense of community and enhancing what makes Casterton, Sedbergh Prep a great place to learn. We recognise every child is different and some will be ready for boarding at different times in their lives, starting from Year 3, while others will choose to remain as a day pupil throughout their time at the Prep School. We therefore offer a range of different boarding options in both the girls’ and boys’ houses, including full, weekly, tri (when children stay three nights a week) and flexi boarding.

“I never thought I would hear myself say it but within two or three weeks I was so chilled out with my son sleeping away from home.  They create a comfortable family environment.” Boarder parent

7. Wrap around care

We offer wrap around care for our day pupils, with breakfast club starting at 07:30 and supper and prep club available between 17:00 (at the end of the School day) and 18:00. Many of our day, tri and weekly boarding pupils also use the school bus routes to and from Kendal, Lancaster, Penrith, Ravenstonedale, Skipton, Sedbergh and Windermere, which run throughout the week.

8. Performing arts

We believe that dedicating weekly curriculum time to creative and performing arts unlocks skills in creativity and problem solving. It also helps to improve concentration, focus, reading comprehension and verbal and non-verbal communication. Performing arts therefore form a vital part of every pupils’ timetable, from Reception upwards, supporting the development of well-rounded individuals capable of fulfilling their personal, social and professional potential. During the academic year, every child at the School is given the opportunity to be part of a production. Staging a show highlights the values of collaboration, perseverance, dedication, teamwork and responsibility. It exemplifies how effort and time are needed behind the spotlights in order to master a new skill.

9. Close community

A keen sense of community and heritage is shared throughout the School, by pupils, parents and staff. We are proud of our friendly and supportive environment, which is regularly praised by pupils and parents. Our parents association ‘The Friends of Sedbergh Prep’ help to organise a range of events throughout the year that allow parents to come together and meet each other, including the Christmas Fayre, dog walks, regular coffee mornings and recently a Great Gatsby casino evening.

“(My daughter) made lots of friends, which was important for her because she only joined in Year 7.  She was made to feel very welcome.” Parent comment

10. The Ways of the Wolf

Our Ways of the Wolf describe the core values that shape the behaviour of everyone at the School: ambition, collaboration, courage, creativity, kindness, and responsibility. These define, in six simple terms, what our School is all about and the ethos behind all that we do.

“I’m always recommending it – I think it is a fantastic school… Sedbergh is a whole way of life.  They seem to have huge amounts of energy.” Parent comment 

Why not visit the School and discover some of these reasons for yourself. Please contact Anna Cooper, our Registrar, at admissions@sedberghprep.org or on 015242 79200 to book a tour.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sedbergh Prep School soon!