Becton Lane, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 7AQ
10 reasons to choose Durlston Prep School
Main point of differentiation
Durlston Prep School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85, and within its broad curriculum and extra-curriculum it has a particularly extensive music and sports programme.
School fundamentals
Durlston Prep School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 2 and 13 years. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, with a recently openend senior division to age 16. Durlston Prep School fees range from £4,189 (Rec) to £8,380 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Durlston Prep School usually has two classes per year and an average class size of 14 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Durlston Prep School leavers are one of 20 independent schools at age 13 or one of the four Bournemouth and Poole grammar schools at age 11. The most popular schools are Canford School and King Edward VI School. 20% win awards and scholarships. A new senior division provides an all-through option since September 2023.
The Durlston Prep School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, French, Spanish. Topic-led curriculum to Year 2. Each pupil may participate in over 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups and visiting speakers. Forest School to Year 2. Residential trips from Year 5.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music and languages throughout, DT, art and IT from Year 3, and for all subjects from Year 6.
Sport at Durlston Prep School
One hour of sport per day. School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in sailing.
The Arts at Durlston Prep School
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class and two-thirds take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Four choirs, orchestra and 10 instrument ensembles. The school is one of the top 50 UK prep schools for the breadth of its creative and performing arts extra-curriculum.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.45am to 5.30pm. Minibus service.
Find another school near Durlston Prep School
Ballard School, Prep & Pre-Prep (1.8 miles); Walhampton School (7.5 miles); The Park School, Bournemouth (9.8 miles).
Lymington Junior School (6.8 miles); Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School (7.4 miles); St Katharine’s Church of England Primary School, Southbourne (7.5 miles).
Ballard School (1.8 miles); Bournemouth Collegiate School (9.5 miles); Talbot Heath School (12.8 miles).
The Arnewood School Academy (1.1 miles); Twynham School (6.2 miles); Bournemouth School for Girls (9.6 miles).