Hanford Prep
Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, Dorset, South West · DT11 8HN
A small boarding and day school for girls aged 7 to 13, Hanford Prep makes a deliberate choice to keep things intimate, with only around 83 pupils on roll. The pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly three to one is striking, allowing teaching to be tailored closely to each girl. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school 'excellent' for both education quality and personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. Set in the countryside at Child Okeford, near Blandford Forum in Dorset, it offers a distinctly traditional approach, including a firm no-mobile-phones policy that parents are said to support.
83
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£19,500
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Girls
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 7-13
- Pupils
- 83
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 3
- Location
- Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, Dorset, South West
- Website
- https://www.hanfordprep.group/
- Telephone
- 01258 860219
Headteacher
Interim head Mrs Sophie Blewitt
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Teaching & academics
With one of the lowest pupil-to-teacher ratios a parent is likely to encounter, Hanford can give each girl close individual attention through the prep years to age 13. The ISI judged the quality of pupils' education 'excellent', the highest available grade. Almost a quarter of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to helping girls with a range of learning needs. Limited bursaries are available for girls likely to make significant academic progress and contribute to wider school life.
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 23.19%
- EHC plans
- 1.45%
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport is varied and energetic, spanning netball, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, athletics, swimming, gymnastics and cross country. More unusually, the school offers pistol shooting, a reminder of its individual character.
Ethos & heritage
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Girls do not have mobile phones at Hanford. Our parents are fully supportive of our approach.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £19,500
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £25,440 - £28,350
Limited bursary provision for girls likely to make 'significant academic progress' and contribute generally to school life.
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 2 December 2025
The last word
A tiny, traditional girls' boarding and day school where the remarkable staffing ratio means no pupil is overlooked. Best suited to families who value close attention and a screen-free environment.
The Passmate verdict
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Hanford Prep 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Hanford Prep located?
Hanford Prep is located at Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8HN.
What type of school is Hanford Prep?
Hanford Prep is an independent (fee-paying) school in South West.
How many pupils attend Hanford Prep?
Hanford Prep has approximately 83 pupils on roll.
What is Hanford Prep's inspection rating?
Hanford Prep is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 2 December 2025.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.