There are schools that talk about giving every child individual attention. And then there is Sunningdale.  It is small enough to know every boy – ambitious enough to get the very best out of him

With just 110 boys aged 7 to 13, Sunningdale is deliberately small – and that smallness is arguably its greatest strength. Here, everybody is known. Your son’s  teachers will know what makes him tick, what he is brilliant at, what he needs help with, what makes him laugh and, crucially, help him find his spark.

It is a school where everyone gets a chance.  A chance to play for the team. A chance to perform on stage. A chance to play a musical instrument and a chance to try something completely new. 

There are small classes, a strong tutor system and a level of staff involvement that means boys are unlikely to disappear into the background. Each boy has a tutor who keeps a close eye on both his academic progress and his wider involvement in school life.

Sunningdale’s academic record is one that rivals other leading prep schools, with boys regularly winning scholarships to senior schools. Importantly, Sunningdale is not academically selective: the emphasis is on finding each boy's potential and then stretching him towards it.

Boys are challenged, supported and encouraged in equal measure. Those who need pushing are pushed; those who need help receive it; and those who have a particular talent are given the opportunity to run with it.

Our track record of scholarships and senior-school destinations reflects that academic ambition. Sunningdale has long specialised in preparing boys for leading senior independent schools, while keeping the educational experience itself broad, energetic and enjoyable.

The boys are expected to work hard, behave well, show kindness and get involved. But they are also encouraged to enjoy themselves, form friendships and make the most of being young.

Sunningdale is predominantly a boarding school, and boarding is not an add-on: it is at the heart of school life. It is about giving boys the opportunity to live alongside their friends, to become more independent, to learn how to look after themselves and, perhaps most importantly, to have fun together.  The Headmaster, Tom Dawson, describes Sunningdale as “a big family in which every single member is valued.”

The weekends are a huge part of that. Boys who stay at school can enjoy sport, activities, films, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, climbing and simply hanging out with their friends. Around 50% of the school stays at weekends, which says something about how much the boys enjoy being there.

There is flexibility too, we offer full and weekly boarding, with boys able to go home for Saturday night if their families prefer.  It is conveniently located, 40 minutes from London and 20 minutes from Heathrow.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Sunningdale is that it still feels like a place where boys are allowed to be boys. It is a screen-free environment where friendships are made face-to-face, weekends are full of sport and adventure, and boys can be noisy, energetic, competitive, creative and carefree. 

High academic standards. Outstanding pastoral care. Serious opportunities. Beautiful grounds. Proper boarding. And a genuinely small community where every boy has the chance to be noticed.

Boarding fees are £14,160 (Inc VAT) per term. Please contact Amy Howroyd, our Admissions Registrar for more information and to register. 

Final Word

Mr Tom Dawson: 'I’m looking at what makes a boy’s eyes light up… all I really want to see is that they’re a boy who will take part.’