Orwell Park School
School summary
Set in the Suffolk countryside at Nacton near Ipswich, Orwell Park is a small independent prep school taking children from age two through to thirteen, with boarding available alongside day places. Around 240 pupils are on roll, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its most recent inspection a rating of 'excellent' for both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. The intimate scale suits families who value a school where children are known well rather than lost in a crowd. As a prep school, it prepares pupils for the move to senior schools at 13.
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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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 18 November 2025
Teaching & academics
The ISI judged the quality of pupils' achievements 'excellent', the inspectorate's highest grade. With a roll of just 240 and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 20 to 1, teaching is delivered in a close community setting. A notable proportion of pupils, just over 20 per cent, receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to tailoring its approach to individual needs.
Headmaster · Mr Simon O'Malley
Beyond the classroom
Personal development was also rated 'excellent' by inspectors, pointing to a well-rounded experience beyond the classroom. Boarding life adds a further dimension to the school day for those who choose it.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 20.48%
- EHC plans
- 0.95%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £15,972 - £28,191
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £34,056 - £41,394
Schools nearby
Ipswich High School
East of England
New Skill Centre
Ipswich, East of England
Royal Hospital School
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Redstone Hall School
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St Joseph's College
Ipswich, East of England
Ipswich School
Ipswich, East of England
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A small Suffolk prep with excellent ISI ratings across the board and the option to board, Orwell Park is built around knowing each child well. Families should weigh day fees of roughly £16,000 to £28,000 a year, with boarding rising to around £41,000.
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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Orwell Park School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.