The Elms School
School summary
A small prep and pre-prep school taking pupils from age three through to thirteen, The Elms School in Colwall offers both day and boarding places to around 155 children. Its pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly five to one is strikingly generous, allowing close attention to each child. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development, with all compliance standards met. Notably, almost a quarter of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a setting attentive to a range of learning needs.
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
- 21 March 2025
Teaching & academics
The exceptionally low pupil-to-teacher ratio underpins a teaching approach built on individual attention, and the ISI's top rating of excellent reflects the quality of education on offer. The school caters for pupils through to Common Entrance age at thirteen, the natural transition point to senior schools. Academic scholarships are available, alongside awards in art, music, drama, musical theatre, sport and equestrian.
Headteacher · Edward Lyddon
Beyond the classroom
The breadth of scholarship categories - from equestrian and sport to drama and musical theatre - points to a varied programme beyond the classroom. As a boarding school, it offers a structured residential life, and its excellent personal development rating speaks to the care given to pupils' wider growth.
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 24.52%
- EHC plans
- 3.87%
Mobile phone policy
Mobile phone free zone for children. Pupils do not have mobile phones in school, other than full boarders who have an allocated time slot to call home and then the phone is kept safely with the matron team in the boarding house
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £11,040 - £28,455
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £32,520 - £39,165
Bursaries awarded dependent on application
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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, nurturing prep school where a five-to-one ratio and an excellent ISI verdict translate into genuinely individual attention. Its phone-free ethos and range of scholarships will appeal to families seeking a traditional, well-rounded preparatory 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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The Elms School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.