Blundell's Prep School | Nurturing Confidence and Curiosity

Experience The Prep School

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Blundell's

Welcome to the Prep School

Blundell’s Preparatory School is a day school of 250 children aged between 3 and 11, split across Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep.

Head's Welcome

Whilst academic pursuits are a critical part of each child’s school life, we recognise that growing up is much more than time spent only within the classroom.  

I would be delighted to take you on a tour so that you can experience first-hand the many qualities of this remarkable school. I look forward to meeting you soon.

If you would like to visit us, please contact the School Office and we will be delighted to arrange an appointment for you.

Andy Southgate
Head Master of Blundell's Prep
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At Blundell’s Prep the message to the children is clear. We want you to try everything, to find your passion and to become the very best person that you can be. You will find inspiration in the classroom, in the drama studio and on the games field. You will find it in Music, in Art and in the wonderful friendships that you will make. Most of all, we want every child to feel that they belong here and the school’s motto ‘Non Sibi’ or ‘Not for Oneself, encourages courtesy, compassion and selflessness, which combine to create a very special atmosphere.

From rising 3 years old, your children will discover the joy of exploration within our Nursery, often venturing out into our school grounds on an adventure. As they move through the school, they become more independent and start to access a wide variety of different subjects, activities and clubs, all of which are designed to bring the very best out of every one of our children. With dedicated and passionate staff, high-quality resources and acres of beautiful Devon countryside to explore, your child they will grow and develop into young people with a thirst for learning, a kind heart and the confidence to face the challenges of the next stage of their education.

Watch Welcome Video

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PREP School

Life in the Prep School

 

Curriculum Breadth and Depth

Learning Outside the Classroom

Enrichment

Academic Excellence

Technology

Transitions

Learning Success

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Curriculum Breadth and Depth

Throughout the week, pupils can expect a broad and balanced curriculum here at Blundell’s Preparatory School. Lessons are dynamic, fun and challenging – taught by enthusiastic teachers who are always aware of the learning that has taken place in previous years, yet equally mindful of the next steps in a child’s education so that all learners are supported and challenged in equal measures. A huge range of exciting subjects and topics are covered across the Pre-Prep and Prep, with links made between different areas of the curriculum whenever possible in order to help bring learning to life.

 

Two students looking into an ecosystem in a glass bowl
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Learning Outside the Classroom

Our bespoke programme for outdoor learning makes full use of the wonderful site here at Blundell’s Preparatory School, enabling students to learn skills and bond with their friends in an environment which impacts all areas of school life. A carefully crafted curriculum for ‘Wild Wonders’, ‘Wild Explorers’ and ‘Wild Leaders’, complete with their very own passports, ensures a thoughtful and seamless progression of skills as the children move through the school, with other subjects building upon this by taking learning outside the classroom at every opportunity.

 
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Enrichment

Learning experiences are brought to life through trips in all year groups, and expert visitors are invited into school to talk to children at every opportunity. Staff regularly collaborate with one-another, allowing expertise to be shared across the school – particularly when colleagues from the Senior School join for lessons and workshops in order to share their wisdom and passion for their subjects with the children. Challenges and contests are offered in a range of subjects and across all year groups, including Mathematics and Computing, with pupils being recognised at a national level in recent years.

 

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Academic Excellence

As a non-selective school, we are incredibly proud of the progression that our students make here at Blundell’s, and the outstanding academic results that are awarded year on year. The school regularly ranks in the top 30 UK co-educational boarding schools, and for many that journey starts here at the Pre-Prep and Prep. We expect a lot of our pupils but support them at every step of the way through expert tuition, making sure that they are equipped with the learning skills required in order to be successful in all areas of the curriculum and beyond.

 

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Learning Technology

Technology is used in the classroom in a thoughtful and constructive manner here at Blundell’s Prep in order to support and enhance the children’s learning. Devices are available for all year groups, and pupils are taught how to use them in weekly Computing lessons, as well as throughout the many other subjects to enhance the quality of their work and to develop their own skills as independent learners. Children are taught how to stay safe online, and a careful balance is maintained so that screen time is purposeful for learning and not detrimental to other areas of pupil wellbeing.

 

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Transitions

Whether it is simply moving from one year group to the next, transitioning from the Pre-Prep to the Prep - or even onto the Senior School - careful thought is put into a child’s progression here at Blundell’s. Opportunities are given for our pupils to spend time in their next education setting on a regular basis, meeting staff, building relationships and getting to know what is to be expected of them so that future changes are seamless and exciting. Considerate and caring handovers of information among staff regarding children’s pastoral and academic profiles are conducted at every step of the journey.

 

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Learning Success

With small class sizes and expert teaching in all year groups, we are confident that pupils are incredibly well catered for during their lessons throughout the week. At times, some extra support might be needed in order to help children with specific learning needs, and our nationally-recognised Learning Success department is on hand to assist with small group work or one-to-one sessions in order to boost confidence, to help with learning strategies and to ensure that every child is able to perform to the best of their ability within the classroom.

 

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Pastoral Care

At Blundell’s Prep, outstanding pastoral care is at the heart of everything that we do.

We want our pupils to be happy and successful - in that order. At Blundell’s Prep, we know that good relationships create an environment in which all can flourish. Our dedicated team of teachers, teaching assistants and support staff are passionate about providing the very best for every child, and we know that building strong partnerships with our families is essential to making that a reality. 

The school’s motto is ‘Non Sibi’ or ‘Not for Oneself’, and this is central to the way that we treat one another and helps to create a very special atmosphere in which all can learn and grow. The children at Blundell’s Prep are happy children and that shines through in everything that they do.

Learn More

 Teacher reading with student dressed as bear

 

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PREP School

Co-Curricular

 

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Sport

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The Arts

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Themed Weeks

Students on school trip to farm

Trips

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Outdoor

Sport

Sport plays a big part in the daily lives of our children from Nursery to Prep, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whilst team sports and competitive matches are part of the school week from Year 3, there are opportunities to play individual sports such as fencing, judo, tennis and Fives.

Sport at Blundell’s Prep is so much fun! There’s something for everyone, and it’s great being part of a team. It keeps us active and makes every day exciting!

The Arts

Specialist lessons in Art, Music, Drama, Design Technology, Engineering and Food Technology take place each week, with additional workshops adding to the experience. Small group and individual music lessons, choirs and orchestral ensembles, enrichment sessions with our Senior School and a vast array of clubs, all provide our children with a rich co-curricular experience.

The Arts at Blundell’s Prep are amazing! From the science lab to the dance studio and food tech kitchen, there’s so much to create, perform, and explore—it’s always inspiring!
Student smiling up from painting

Themed Weeks

Each term, we enjoy themed weeks, with STEM, the environment, literature and art, all featuring. Inspirational speakers, external companies and experts in their fields, all join us to create an educational experience that stretches well beyond the bounds of the curriculum.

Themed weeks at Blundell’s Prep are so exciting! Arts Week and STEM Week let us try amazing activities, work together, and learn in fun, creative ways. They’re the best weeks ever!
Teacher demonstrating chemical reactions

Trips

We are fortunate to have a wealth of interesting places to visit within easy reach of the school, and the children have regular opportunities to extend their knowledge through carefully planned, curriculum-linked trips. They include pumpkin picking at Halberton for our Nursery children, Maths workshops at Exeter Race Course for our Year 6 children, and much more besides.

Trips Week at Blundell’s Prep is unforgettable! Exploring places like Dartmoor, Folly Farm, Jersey, and Westward Ho! with friends creates the best adventures and memories that will last a lifetime.
Students on a school trip to a farm

Outdoor

The outdoors plays a central part in the daily lives of our children, be that through daily trips to The Hub for our Nursery pupils, foraging for blackberries with which to make a crumble in a Food Tech lesson or mapping out the cardiovascular system on the playground using blue and red chalk. Our bespoke ‘Wild Wonders’ programme runs from Nursery to Year 6, with half and whole day experiences running alongside our curriculum provision.

Outdoor learning at Blundell’s Prep is incredible! It brings lessons to life, whether we’re exploring nature or building projects. It’s so much fun and helps us learn in exciting, hands-on ways.
Student showing off bucket full of muck

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Where Next?

 

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Where Next

Vision and Aims

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Where Next

Learning Success

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Where Next

Co-Curricular

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Admissions

Let's Begin

Begin your Blundell's journey