Sunninghill Preparatory School
School summary
Sunninghill Preparatory School is a small independent prep in Dorchester, taking mixed pupils from the earliest years at age three through to 13. With around 171 children on roll, it offers an intimate setting where pupils are likely to be well known to staff. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded the school its top rating of 'excellent', with the same judgement extended to personal development. The school holds no religious character, and all compliance standards were met at inspection.
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
- 24 February 2026
Teaching & academics
The ISI's 'excellent' rating points to strong teaching and learning across the prep years. As a school running from age three to 13, it prepares children for the transition to senior school. Its small size allows for close attention to each pupil's progress.
Head · Mr David Newberry
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
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Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, non-selective prep in the heart of Dorchester with top marks from inspectors for both academics and personal development. A sound choice for families wanting a close-knit start to their child's education.
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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Sunninghill Preparatory School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.