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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.

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An excellent and very broad educational experience, combined with first-class pastoral care, great facilities in a wonderfully inspiring location.

Lessons

Our Prep school timetable is a one-week timetable consisting of eight 45-minute lessons a day. To maximise your child’s learning time the timetable has been curated to ensure they move around our specialist facilities in a logical order meaning precious time is spent in lessons rather than moving from one to the next.

To help your child develop the ability to self-critique in a constructive manner they will attend a weekly study skills lesson. Your child will have the opportunity to carry out this new-found skill by reflecting and commenting on their end-of-term progress reports. We provide many real-life opportunities like this for your child to put all of their knowledge and skills into practice. This helps to consolidate their learning as well as give meaning and context to their education.

Our specialist subject teachers in drama, music, games, PE, modern foreign languages, design technology, art and digital literacy teach all Prep school children. Our specialist facilities provide the perfect learning environment for these subjects. In addition, in Year 5 and Year 6 your child will be taught by a subject specialist in science where lessons are conducted in one of our three science labs. They also have an additional new subject added to their timetable – Latin. Our highly-experienced key stage specialist teachers will provide the core teaching in English and maths. By Year 7 your child will be set in all subjects and taught by a subject specialist in all lessons, including wellbeing, geography and history. This ensures your child has experienced the senior school model of teaching before they reach Year 9.

To allow your child to have a focused conclusion to their learning, the day will end in the same way it began – with their form teacher. This is a crucial cog in our exceptional pastoral wheel. It allows the teacher who knows your child best to touch base with them to ensure the day delivered all it had promised. And it allows them to support your child if things didn’t quite go to plan.

There are 21 Saturdays in the academic year where children in Year 5 and above attend school, with Year 4 attending school on 17 Saturdays. Saturday mornings are filled with curriculum extension activities where children consolidate their learning and stretch their understanding. Saturday afternoons follow the traditional structure of sports fixtures which parents are warmly invited to watch every week.

Food

Growing children need wholesome food which is why we commit to having such a brilliant Catering Department. All of your child’s meals are seasonally planned, freshly prepared and cooked on site. Morning break is at 10am – the same time for all children in the school. To ensure your child is fuelled appropriately so they can fully engage with their morning lessons they will be served a carbohydrate-based snack. This will provide them with a slow release of energy to keep them focused until lunch.

Lunch break for our Prep school children is at 12.45pm. Lunch service is staggered to ensure the dining hall feels a welcoming place for your child to eat lunch with their friends. The time your child will be called for lunch rotates throughout the week, so sometimes they will eat first and then enjoy the fresh air and sometimes the other way around. Lunch is canteen style with a wide range of tasty and nutritious food on offer to cater for all tastes. There are always hot and cold options, with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and salads. Our bespoke menus operate on a three-week rotation and there is always a vegetarian option for those who choose to go meat free. Our aim is to feed your child but also to educate them about healthy choices and responsible eating. For example, when sweet treats and puddings are available our aim is to use reduced sugar and healthy alternatives.

To give your child that energy boost they need to see them through to the end of the day they are offered a snack during afternoon break at 3.15pm. Our approach to food is to ensure that your child has the correct levels of energy to perform well inside and outside of the classroom throughout the day.

Logistics

The Prep School Day

  • 7.30am breakfast club (optional for day children £)
  • 8am Gates open
  • 8.20am Registration
  • 10.30 am Morning break
  • 12.40pm Lunch break
  • 3.35pm Afternoon break
  • 4.40pm school day ends
  • 4.40pm After school clubs (optional)
  • 5.50pm Clubs end
  • 5.30pm Prep (optional for day children £)
  • 6.30pm Supper (optional for day children £)
  • 7pm Boarders’ evening activities
  • 8pm Bedtime routine

Drop off

The gates at our Prep school open at 8am ready for the children to spill into their classrooms for 8.20am. Every day starts with 20 minutes of precious form time with your child’s class teacher to ensure they are set for the busy day ahead.

Our boarders enjoy a nourishing breakfast in our dining hall before the school day and our day children are invited to join them from 7.30am if they wish. We know how busy mornings can be so this option is valued by many families. Your child will be spoilt for choice for breakfast. There is always a hot option such as eggs on toast as well as cereal, porridge, yoghurt, toast and fresh fruit to kickstart their day.

After school

The school day finishes at 4.40pm but the fun doesn’t stop there. There is a full programme of after-school clubs which we actively encourage all children to take advantage of. There are four categories of clubs: physical, skill development, academic and artistic. We recommend your child tries one club from each group to fully benefit from our broad range of extra-curricular activities. Some of our clubs are run by our teachers who are passionate about a certain hobby, subject or sports and are free of charge. We also invite external professionals to run clubs such as LAMDA, Gymnastics and Golf, which do incur costs.

We offer Homework Club every day free of charge, so if there isn’t a new club your child wants to try and you need care for them after school they can stay with us until 5.30pm.

At 5.30pm our boarders head off to evening prep before heading into the Dining Hall for their homecooked supper at 6.30pm. Day children are invited to join boarders and can be collected as late as 7pm if family circumstances require it.

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What we’re up to…

Our Bushcraft course is in full swing, with three days of outdoor adventure in our beautiful woodland. The children have been identifying wild plants, mastering fire-making, building bivouac shelters, learning how and where to hang hammocks, and gaining hands-on first aid skills. It’s all woven together with child-led learning, adventure and teamwork, building not just survival skills, but also confidence, creativity and friendships. #TogetherWeGrow #LearnOutdoors #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

It was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic young golfers at school today taking part in our two-day holiday golf course. Under the expert guidance of the Liphook Golf Club coaching team, the sessions were tailored to suit all levels, from complete beginners to more experienced players. The coaches cover everything from grip and stance to swing mechanics like rotation, weight transfer and balance. Through fun drills and on-course practice, the children explored different shots and techniques, building confidence and developing their own playing style. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeLearn #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We were thrilled to see three of our Old Highfieldians graduate together this summer from the University of Nottingham. 2016 leavers Ben and Harry (Politics and International Relations) and Meg (International Relations and Asian Studies) have each achieved so much, and it was wonderful to hear from them. Even more heartening is how their Highfield and Brookham friendships have remained strong, despite attending different senior schools, a true testament to the lifelong bonds formed here. Congratulations to all three. #OldHighfieldians #AlumniSuccess #UniversityGraduation #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Just one week to go! We’re incredibly grateful for the kind support we’ve received so far for the Tatler Schools Awards. With voting closing on 29th August, there’s still a little time left to cast your vote. If you haven’t voted and would like to, we’d be sincerely thankful for your support. You can find the link in our bio above. #OneWeekLeft #TatlerSchoolsAwards #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

To our 2022 leavers – we’re thinking of you on #GCSEResultsDay. We’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved. All your hard work, determination and resilience will shine through today. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeThrive #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @bedalesschool @benendenschool @bradfield_college @bryanstonschool @canfordschool @charterhousesch @cranleighschool @epsomcollegeuk @eton.college @thekingsschoolcanterbury @lancing_college @lordwandsworth @marlboroughcollege @oundleschool @rgs_guildford @seafordcollege @sherbornegirls St Mary’s School Ascot @stswithunsgirls @wellingtoncollege @winchestercollege

From throwing and catching to running, dodging and scoring, the children have been immersed in a whirlwind of fun and fitness on this week’s Multi-Sports course with the team at Assure Coaching. They have explored a variety of sports and games; from hockey, basketball, athletics, tennis, dodgeball, capture the flag, and even the classic duck, duck, goose. It’s been a week full of new skills, boosted confidence, and most importantly, loads of laughter and teamwork. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeAchieve #HolidaySportsCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We are looking forward to our first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27th September. Experience a magical education that lasts a lifetime – meet our Head, tour with our pupils, and see how we foster academic excellence and confidence in a unique and inspirational environment. Book here: bit.ly/47xa7po #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our wonderful Nature Crafting course, led by Hannah and her creative team @coryluscollective is in full bloom this week! The children have been exploring summer flowers and learning how they grow and turning them into beautiful, nature-inspired crafts. They’ve learnt lots of new crafting skills, including flower pressing, transfer printing, decorating lanterns with petals and making leaf crowns from tulip poplar leaves. The perfect summer holiday creative course, combining nature appreciation and fun hands-on learning. #TogetherWeGrow #LearnOutdoors #CreativeHolidayCourses #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Here’s a look back at Year 8 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We are looking forward to our first Open Morning of the academic year on Saturday 27th September. Experience a magical education that lasts a lifetime – meet our Head, tour with our pupils, and see how we foster academic excellence and confidence in a unique and inspirational environment. Book your place through the link in the bio above. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We were absolutely delighted to welcome Old Highfieldian Harriet back to school! Harriet was with us from 2006 to 2015, and it was such a treat to catch up. We always love hearing from our alumni – discovering where life has taken them, what they’re doing now, and how their time at Highfield & Brookham has shaped their path. Harriet shared some truly heartwarming memories and stories from her school days, reminding us why so many hold their time at Highfield & Brookham close to heart. #TogetherWeGrow #TogetherWeInspire #HighfieldAndBrookhamMemories #OldHighfieldians #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Our Senior Cookery holiday course was a recipe for success today! The children spent a wonderful day learning new skills under the expert guidance of cook Sophie Neish, with mouth-watering aromas drifting from the room. They cooked up a real feast, from a flavour-packed ramen to homemade pork dumplings, fresh cheese bagels and a summer berry drizzle cake. The best part? Their lucky families get to enjoy the results at home! #TogetherWeCook #TogetherWeGrow #LifeSkills #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

To our Old Highfieldians on #ALevelResultsDay, we’re cheering you on and can’t wait to see your next chapter unfold. Bryanston School Benenden School Canford School Charterhouse School Churcher’s College Cranleigh School Eastbourne College Eton College Epsom College Hurstpierpoint College Marlborough College Oundle School Radley College Seaford College Sherborne Boys Sherborne Girls Wellington College Worth School #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #IndependentSchool #CoEd #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Here’s a look back at Year 7 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

This week, we are pleased to welcome back the wonderful team from Corylus Collective for our Nature Days holiday course. The children are spending their days in our magical woodland, enjoying den building, treasure hunts, woodland walks, making campfire treats, crafts, stories and more. Fresh air, new skills and endless adventures. #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

The stage is set. Our Performing Arts course burst into life this morning with a toe-tapping Matilda-inspired session, led by the brilliant Mrs Wilson, drawing on her extensive West End experience. Over two action-packed days, children will explore songs, scenes, choreography and performance techniques from two iconic musicals – all building to a dazzling showcase for parents. Not only is it tonnes of fun, but it’s an incredible opportunity to grow in confidence, creativity and teamwork. #HolidayActivities #TogetherWePerfom #TogetherWeInspire #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Highreach is in full swing this year, this week-long residential for children aged 8-18 with disabilities makes a big impact. They get to enjoy our facilities like the pool, theatre, woodlands and Astro. Plus have lots of fun activities including horseback riding, trips to the seaside and a theme park visit. The holidaymakers are supported by trained staff and volunteers, many of whom are Old Highfieldians. The Highreach team loves seeing all the happy faces, it’s a fun and rewarding week for everyone involved. #HighreachHolidays #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Here’s a look back at Year 6 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Looking for fun and exciting ways to entertain your kids over the holidays – look no further, we’ve got some amazing holiday activity courses lined up! Whether your child loves sports, crafting, dance, performing arts or exploring nature, there’s something just for them. Places are filling up fast, so don’t wait! Grab one of the last places now by clicking the link: https://bit.ly/4kNBfmX #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

This year’s leavers are off to 31 top senior schools! As a truly independently run prep school, we’re proud to offer unbiased advice and strong relationships with a wide breadth of leading senior schools near and far. We’re here to guide and support you in finding the perfect next step for your child’s education and your family. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex @bedalesschool @brightoncollegeuk @bryanstonschool @canfordschool @charterhousesch @churchers1722 @cranleighschool @epsomcollegeuk @eton.college @gordonsschofficial @ipswich_school @london_park_schools @lordwandsworth @marlboroughcollege @miltonabbey @noadswood_sch @oundleschool @priorsfieldschool @qas_caversham @radleycollegeoxon @rgs_guildford @rugbyschool1567 @seafordcollege @sherbornegirls @sherborneboys @stedwardsoxford @wellingtoncollege

Who doesn’t love a bit of dressing up. Pirate escapades, including a treasure hunt for the children at our amazing Highreach Holidays residential camp. Big smiles all round. #HighreachHolidays #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

With the school holidays well underway, you may be looking for fun and engaging activities for your children. We only have a few places left on some of our incredible courses, so don’t miss out. To save your place, book now by following the link in our bio. #HolidayActivities #SchoolHolidayClubs #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Here’s a look back at Year 5 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

Here’s a look back at Year 4 2024-25. #TogetherWeGrow #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

We were thrilled to welcome back Old Highfieldian Rebecca Lidh Faijersson this week. Visiting from Sweden with her family, Rebecca was excited to return to the school that she attended as an overseas pupil for one life-changing term in 1993. She spoke warmly of the lasting memories, friendships, and the positive impact her time here had on her life. It was truly inspiring to hear how Highfield and Brookham’s community continues to resonate with its former pupils, even decades later. #Nursery #PrePrep #Prep #CoEdSchool #IndependentSchool #Liphook #Hampshire #Surrey #WestSussex

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