Southern Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 9RP
10 reasons to choose The Richard Pate School
Top line
The Richard Pate School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 80. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Cheltenham and one of the 3 best primary schools for 1.5 miles.
School fundamentals
The Richard Pate School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 3 and 11 years. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school. The Richard Pate School fees range from £3,978 (Rec) to £5,721 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
The Richard Pate School has two classes per year and an average class size of 19 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for most Richard Pate School leavers are one of 25 secondary schools with the most popular being Pate’s Grammar (22% of leavers), Sir Thomas Rich’s (13%) and Gloucester High (11%). Over the last 7 years destinations have averaged at 52% to grammar schools, 37% to independent schools and 11% to other maintained schools.
The Richard Pate 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, reasoning, French, Latin. Topic-based cross-curricular learning to Year 2. ‘Curriculum Focus’ explores a different subject in more depth every term through a variety of activities. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs. In recent years the school has enjoyed national tournament success in science.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups and visiting speakers. Outdoor learning, particularly for the youngest pupils. Residential trips from Year 4. The Richard Pate School Award for Year 6 encourages participation in the extra curricular.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, and languages throughout, and for art and science from Year 5.
Sport at The Richard Pate School
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in hockey, squash.
The Arts at The Richard Pate School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and about one third take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Two choirs, orchestra and one or two instrument ensembles. There are some extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.45am to 5.30pm.
Find another school near The Richard Pate School
Cheltenham College Preparatory School (1.2 miles); Ashley Manor Preparatory School, Cheltenham (2.4 miles); Berkhampstead School (2.4 miles).
Naunton Park Primary School (0.8 miles); Holy Apostles’ Church of England Primary School, Charlton Kings (1.7 miles); Charlton Kings Junior School (1.8 miles).
St Edward’s School, Cheltenham (1.4 miles); Cheltenham College (1.6 miles); The Cheltenham Ladies’ College (2.2 miles).
Balcarras School (1.8 miles); Pate’s Grammar School (3.5 miles); Sir Thomas Rich’s School (7.4 miles).