S. Anselm's School
School summary
Set in Bakewell, Derbyshire, S. Anselm's is a small independent school of around 97 pupils spanning ages 3 to 16, with boarding available alongside day places. Its size lends it an intimate, close-knit character, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate judged it good overall in its most recent inspection. Most strikingly, pupils' personal development was rated excellent, the highest available grade, and the school met all compliance requirements. Under headteacher Peter Cook, it offers a small-school education with the option of boarding right through to GCSE age.
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
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 4 November 2025
Teaching & academics
The ISI rated the quality of education good, while reserving its highest mark for personal development, suggesting a school where character and wellbeing are particular strengths. A notable 17 per cent of pupils receive SEN support, well above what many schools record, pointing to a setting attentive to a range of learning needs. Academic scholarships are offered for able pupils.
Headteacher · Peter Cook
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span music, art and sport as well as academics, reflecting where the school invests its co-curricular energy. Phones are handed in to the office during the school day and used only with express permission, keeping the focus firmly on activities and learning.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 17.07%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
Learners not to use mobile phones unless express permission given; phones handed in to school office during school hours; if pupils need to contact parents, they use school phone
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £9,870 - £33,480
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £27,999 - £33,480
Some means-tested bursaries available
Schools nearby
Eastwood Grange School
Chesterfield, East Midlands
Bluebank School
Chesterfield, East Midlands
Oaklands Manor School
Buxton, East Midlands
St Peter and St Paul School
Chesterfield, East Midlands
Mylnhurst Preparatory School and Nursery
Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber
Alderwasley Hall School
Derbyshire, East Midlands
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, all-through independent in the heart of Derbyshire where personal development genuinely shines. Best suited to families wanting an intimate, supportive environment with the flexibility of boarding.
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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S. Anselm's School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.