MixedIndependentBoarding

Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School

Nr Haverhill, Suffolk, Suffolk, East of England · CB9 7TG

Set near Haverhill in Suffolk, Barnardiston Hall is a small independent prep school where roughly 244 children, from the earliest years through to age 13, learn as both day pupils and boarders. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around eight to one, classes are intimate and individual attention is built into daily life. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school good overall in its most recent inspection, while singling out pupils' personal development as excellent and confirming that all compliance standards were met. Under Headmaster Mr Gavin Sinnott, it offers a structured, traditional prep-school environment.

244

Pupils

good

ISI

£17,040

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 0-13
Pupils: 244
Pupil:teacher ratio: 8
Location: Nr Haverhill, Suffolk, Suffolk, East of England
Website: https://www.barnardiston-hall.co.uk/
Telephone: 01440 786316

Headteacher

Headmaster Mr Gavin Sinnott

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Teaching & academics

A low pupil-to-teacher ratio of about eight to one allows teaching to be closely tailored to each child across the prep years up to age 13. Inspectors judged the academic provision good, and the school's strong focus on character and personal development - rated excellent by the ISI - suggests learning sits within a well-rounded education.

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 0%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

Principal awards (25-100%)Sports scholarships (25-100%)English scholarship (40%)

Beyond the classroom

Sport holds a clear place in school life, reflected in the availability of sports scholarships worth between 25 and 100 per cent of fees. As a boarding school, it also provides a full daily rhythm beyond lessons, with carefully managed routines including a brief, supervised period of mobile-phone use each evening.

Ethos & heritage

Boarding: Yes

Mobile phone policy

Boarding pupils have access to their mobile phones for 30 minutes each evening before going upstairs. No phones are allowed in the dormitories, around school or on trips. When not being used, they are kept in a secure charging cabinet. A mobile phone agreement is in place and agreed with parents. The school operates an effective filtering system which, in addition to safeguarding routines, helps keep pupils safe. Children are made aware of internet safety through work in PSHEE and computing lessons. Phones are checked for age-inappropriate apps and, if a child is in receipt of unsuitable material, the SDSL is informed and action taken as appropriate.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £10,545 - £17,040
Boarding fees (per year): £24,810 - £27,291

A few full bursaries offered to overseas pupils; currently given to children from Ukraine.

Inspection reports

ISI rating: good
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 7 November 2023

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, traditional Suffolk prep with boarding, strong personal development and a genuinely low class size. Worth a look for families seeking close attention and a clear sense of structure.

The Passmate verdict