Terra Nova School

Terra Nova School, founded in 1897, located at its current site since 1939 is a leading preparatory school in the UK. Educating girls and boys aged 2.5 to 13 years of age, the school’s curriculum is both rich in breadth and rigorous in its demands of its pupils. Opportunities in academics, on the sports field and in the performing & creative arts abound.

Whether it is the opportunity to attend high level learning scholarship classes, the opportunity to represent the school on the sports field or the opportunity to develop creatively, the culture of the school is such that the pupils are proud to give of their very best and try the myriad of opportunities available to them.

Terra Nova is a vibrant and exciting school in which to be a pupil. While the academic progress and achievement of each pupil are always at the centre of our concerns, we believe that school life should be enjoyed for itself as well as it being a preparation for adulthood.

We help our pupils to become independent and courageous thinkers who are prepared to explore, innovate and meet life’s opportunities with creativity. Lessons engage pupils, are fast-paced, challenging and are enriched with a wide variety of activities to extend your child’s interests and skills beyond the confines of standard curriculum and examination specifications.

The academic curriculum runs alongside a co-curricular programme that provides sporting, musical and adventurous opportunities and interests. As a result, our pupils are cheerful, balanced and at ease with themselves and each other. They welcome challenge with enthusiasm and interest.

All pupils in the School are encouraged to develop their talents and realise their potential in the way that best meets their needs and personalities. The wellbeing of every child is at the heart of the School’s philosophy, for while we want them to develop a genuine love of learning, we also want them to be resilient, optimistic, confident and kind people who know how to form and sustain good relationships and make a positive contribution to society.

Teachers know pupils very well and visitors often comment on the laughter, good humour and warmth that mark relationships between pupils and staff. We want our pupils to learn to inspire, influence and collaborate with others, to be self aware and to understand their impact on others.

The School has a strong reputation for academic success and our expectations of pupils are high. If your children are joining Terra Nova School they will be very well prepared for the next phase of their education.

While we enjoy good facilities in a stunning location, it is our community - our pupils, teachers and parents - that make this a special place to be.

Key to the school’s buoyant community is the pastoral welfare of the pupils, our children undoubtedly flourish confident in the knowledge that they are learning in a happy and supportive environment.

Preparing our pupils to pass entrance exams to their senior schools, whether that be day or boarding, ready to leave Terra Nova at 11+ or 13+ is the school’s objective. Knowing and understanding our pupils and what will be the right senior school for them is the teaching team’s ultimate driver. The school is steeped in history but forward-looking; preparing its pupils not just for their senior schools but life in the global world they will inhabit.

It is only by visiting our school that you will really understand why we are so proud of it, we look forward to welcoming you!