Cheam School

Cheam is a leading day and boarding school for children aged 3 to 13 years, set in 100 acres of beautiful Berkshire countryside. We provide broad and extensive opportunities across academics, sport, drama, art, DT, music and outdoor learning. Our vibrant boarding provision is increasingly popular and provides families with flexible and weekly boarding, in a homely and caring environment.

Cheam is a community of individuals, with unique interests and personalities, but what is common to all is the sense of purpose, enthusiasm to learn and to ‘give it a go’. Our committed and passionate team of professionals deliver their subjects with energy, wisdom and creativity. Learning at Cheam is engaging, collaborative, child-focused and inspired, using the best technology, resources and experiences available.

At Cheam we nurture every child in our care, with a focus on individual happiness, development, and confidence. An outstanding team of teachers and highly effective pastoral systems ensure that all pupils are included, supported and nurtured. Excellent communications between children, staff and parents mean that pupil welfare and development is always centre stage in all that we do.

Classes are small and academic ambitions are both high and appropriate for all. Cheam has a long history of preparing children for many of the top senior schools in the UK, with children gaining an impressive range of scholarships year on year.

Cheam Pre-Prep Department offers a supportive and caring environment for our youngest pupils. We develop children socially and emotionally and instil a love of learning through a wide range of topics and a vibrant, hands-on and child-centred curriculum. Specialist teachers for PE, Languages, Music and Drama as well as outstanding classroom practitioners, means that children are taught by passionate staff who capture their imaginations and foster a genuine love of these subjects.

We are proud of our outstanding Learning Support and Development Centre. We are inclusive and committed to welcoming children with a wide range of abilities and learning needs. The timely, professional and positive intervention of our specialist teachers has significant outcomes for pupils at Cheam.

Running alongside our pursuit of academic excellence, Cheam offers all pupils the opportunity to explore their creativity and sporting interests supported by experienced teachers and state-of-the-art facilities.

Music is significant strength of the school. Every genre of music and composition is encouraged with jazz, pop, rock, classical groups and a large orchestra. Over 90% of pupils learn an instrument. In Art and DT, we provide opportunities to engage with the latest technologies and processes; from using 3D printers to our own kiln. Our innovative and creative Drama department offers a wide variety of opportunities during the year, with children taking to the stage from as early as Nursery. Children benefit from a dedicated Drama studio. A culture of performance at Cheam, means that all children learn key skills of public speaking, debating and develop the confidence to speak in front of their peers and adults.

Cheam’s reputation for sport remains extremely strong. Cheam has outstanding sporting facilities (including a full-size Astro, 6 netball hard courts (4 floodlit), an indoor sports hall, over 100 acres of grounds). Cheam very much embraces the 'sport for all' ethos and children. Sports include: Hockey, Football, Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Tennis, Athletics, Cross Country, Judo, Golf, Riding, Swimming, Lacrosse to name but a few. 

Outdoor and Woodland Learning is high on the agenda at Cheam. With our own outdoor activity provision offering adventures on climbing walls and assault courses, as well as a small river and vast woodlands to explore, opportunities are plentiful. There is always time for marshmallows around the much-loved campfire and the freedom and time just to be muddy with friends, is seen as essential.

An exhaustive extra-curricular provision means pupils can experience everything from building go-karts and ballet, to playing golf or creating digital animations and podcasts.

We are operating waiting lists in many year groups and as demand is high, it is advised that children join the Pre-Prep to ensure their place in the Prep School. We run bus routes to London, Basingstoke, Newbury, Vernham Dean and Kintbury.