Coombe House School
School summary
Coombe House School is a small independent day school in Shaftesbury, Wiltshire, where a roll of around 128 mixed pupils makes for an intimate setting. With so few children, the school can offer a degree of individual attention that larger institutions often struggle to match. Led by Head Mr Darren Harte and inspected by the ISI, it teaches towards GCSE and admits pupils at 11 through an 11+ process. It is likely to appeal to families seeking a close-knit environment over the anonymity of a bigger school.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Teaching & academics
Pupils work towards GCSE qualifications, and the modest size of each year group allows teaching to be tailored closely to individual needs. The school is overseen by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted, which is standard for independent schools of this kind.
Head · Mr Darren Harte
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 0%
- EHC plans
- 100%
Schools nearby
Port Regis
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The Forum School
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Bryanston Prep
Durweston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, day-only independent in Shaftesbury for families who value a personal, attentive approach through to GCSE.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Coombe House School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.