Copthorne Preparatory School
Crawley, Surrey, South East · RH10 3HR
Founded in 1902, Copthorne Preparatory School has spent over a century educating children in Crawley, Surrey. It is a small, independent day school taking boys and girls from age 2 through to 13, with around 165 pupils on roll - a scale that lends itself to a close-knit community where children are known as individuals. Led by executive head Mr Ben Purkiss, the school was judged 'excellent' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, with the same top mark for pupils' personal development and all compliance standards met.
165
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£18,810
Day fees / yr
Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime
Schools nearby
Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 2-13
- Pupils
- 165
- Location
- Crawley, Surrey, South East
- Website
- https://www.copthorneprep.co.uk/
- Telephone
- 01342 712311
Headteacher
Executive head Mr Ben Purkiss
Want your child to win a place at Copthorne Preparatory School?
Passmate builds a personalised practice plan from your target schools' exact 11+ topics - so every session moves your child closer to a place.
- Practice matched to Copthorne Preparatory School's 11+ format
- See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
- A profile of how they think - not just scores
Free month · No card needed
Teaching & academics
The ISI's 'excellent' rating speaks to the quality of teaching and learning across the school. With a small roll and the full prep-school age span from 2 to 13, pupils benefit from sustained, personal attention as they prepare for senior school. Around 17 per cent of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a genuine willingness to accommodate a range of learning needs.
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 16.77%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Beyond the classroom
The matching 'excellent' judgement for personal development indicates that life at Copthorne extends well beyond the classroom, nurturing character and confidence alongside academic progress.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1902
- Boarding
- No
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £12,525 - £18,810
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 20 January 2026
The last word
A small, long-established prep with top ISI marks for both academics and personal development - well suited to families wanting an individual, all-through start to age 13.
The Passmate verdict
Have you considered?
Aurora Redehall School
South East
Brambletye School
East Grinstead, South East
Greenfields School
South East
Brighton College Prep Handcross
Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, South East
Cumnor House Sussex
Haywards Heath, South East
Moor House School & College
Oxted, South East
Copthorne Preparatory School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Copthorne Preparatory School located?
Copthorne Preparatory School is located at Effingham Lane, Copthorne, Crawley, RH10 3HR.
What type of school is Copthorne Preparatory School?
Copthorne Preparatory School is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend Copthorne Preparatory School?
Copthorne Preparatory School has approximately 165 pupils on roll.
What is Copthorne Preparatory School's inspection rating?
Copthorne Preparatory School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 20 January 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.