Monkton Prep

Monkton places thinking differently at the heart of its strategic vision. We are already one of the country's best known smaller boarding schools and pride ourselves on our size meaning you can really get to know all of the pupils and serve as a full part of our community. We are a Christian school with worldwide connections and interests, and have a strong reputation for pioneering and proactive pastoral care which fosters high achieving pupils who understand how they succeed.

Monkton is seen by parents to be a caring and inclusive community which supports the education of the whole child, as well as encouraging the pursuit of individual excellence. It is hard to understand Monkton without feeling it for yourself: our pupils are confident without arrogance, servant hearted and passionate about our community. Monkton is a school where pupils develop their personal values in the context of a community where kindness, creativity and adventure are positive features. The expression of the School’s ethos can be found in many fine examples of Monktonians achieving positions of leadership in a huge breadth of fields both nationally and internationally.

All members of staff are committed to boarding school life, seeking to contribute widely outside the classroom within pastoral, sporting and other co-curricular spheres.

Prep and Pre-Prep

The Prep and Pre-Prep are both situated on the Combe Down site. The purpose built Pre-Prep opened next to the Prep in 2016, and the next stage of our strategic plan will see both sections join together to be a regional leader for pupils from 2 to 13. The plan defines a dynamic vision for the future in which outstanding specialist provision across the age range ensures pupils love learning, develop an understanding of themselves and recognise the importance of serving as stewards. 

At the last inspection in May 2018, the school was judged to be Excellent in both pupil achievement and pupil personal development by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Pupils enjoy a broad and exciting programme within the framework of outstanding pastoral care, both for boarders (from Year 3) and day pupils. Flexi-boarding is also an option many pupils choose at some stage during their time at the school. Facilities include an indoor, four lane, 25m swimming pool, a 300 seat auditorium, one full-sized and one half-sized astro pitch, tennis courts, outstanding sports pitches, an ICT suite, two science labs and a magnificent view over the Somerset hills to the South West. Future plans include a new multi purpose dining space and redesigned theatre, all as part of the wider school’s Vision for the Arts.

The Prep and Pre-Prep staff team is dynamic and committed to delivering the School’s Vision to offer an outstanding education which inspires young people to become confident, kind and ambitious adults who live fulfilling lives. Martin Davis, Head of Prep, and Catherine Winchcombe, Head of Pre-Prep, have both been in post for three years and work closely together to ensure a smooth continuum through the Pre-Prep and Prep years. Whole school collaboration enables us to offer outstanding opportunities in Sport (including swimming), Outdoor Learning, Music, Art and French for our youngest pupils. A number of staff work across the three school sections and this speaks to our whole school vision to provide the best experience for pupils in all subject areas from 2-18 years. The strategic plan for the Combe Down site falls into three distinct areas: Learning , Leadership and Land. We want our pupils to be high achieving, judged against their own abilities; to learn in a safe, well protected environment; and to experience a breadth and quality of achievement in specialist disciplines. Our School Values: Confidence, Integrity, Service and Humility, form a strong foundation for our School community, within the living Christian Ethos. 

The site is located within an area of outstanding natural beauty, is just over three miles from Bath city centre and within easy reach of London, Cardiff and Southampton via an excellent train service. A single board of Governors oversees the entire School (Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior), Monkton is a registered charity and is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Principal acts as both the Head of the Senior School and as the CEO of the group. Monkton was founded in 1868 within the mainstream evangelical tradition.