Deciding on the best educational path for your child is a significant milestone for any parent, particularly when considering the transition from state primary education to the independent sector. Preparatory schools, such as Walhampton in Hampshire, represent a unique choice within this landscape, distinguished by their nurturing environments, personalised attention, and a broad range of extracurricular experiences. This guide is designed to shed light on the features of prep school education, aiding parents in making informed choices for their child’s academic and personal development.

At Walhampton Prep School, we believe in the importance of understanding and participating in every aspect of our students' education. This commitment goes to the very top, as Head, Jonny Timms, demonstrates. Mr Timms recently spent the day immersed in the vibrant world of our Pre-Prep department and, in his own words, shares a unique glimpse into daily life at Walhampton.

A big congratulations to Czar for his Moroccan mountain climb which raised an amazing £600 for The British Red Cross Society. Czar took on the huge challenge during half term overcoming many physical and emotional obstacles along the way during the gruelling 20 hour journey scaling Mount Toubkai in North Africa.

Congratulations to all our children for their fantastic entries into our Eco House Model Boat Challenge. Designed over half term using our pre-made House coloured sails, we received over 100 entries.

The STEAM competition has become a much anticipated annual Walhampton tradition and this year’s STEAM Fair showcases the very best of Walhampton as pupils of all ages, interests and abilities gathered to celebrate innovation, creativity, and curiosity.

This week our Nursery, Kindergarten and Reception children and their families joined us for our Autumn Stomp to help raise money for Barnardo’s as part of their ‘Big Toddle’. Everyone donned their wellies for our early morning outdoor adventure.

Walhampton was honoured to support the Royal Lymington Yacht Club’s Youth Week at the end of the summer holidays. The event saw over 180 young sailors competing and having fun on the water across the three days of racing. The week culminated in a prize giving ceremony, where our Head, Jonny Timms, was delighted to congratulate the winning sailors. We partner with the Yacht Club to enable sailors of all levels, including those undertaking Walhampton Sailing Scholarships, to compete both locally and nationally.

This year's leadership positions were revealed at a special assembly where pupils were awarded with their badges of responsibility.  Congratulations to our new Head Boy and Girl and all our our Year 8 leaders.

We are pleased to be listed once again as one of the top independent schools in the 20th edition of the Tatler Schools Guide. This year we have also made the coveted Tatler Schools Awards shortlist in the ‘Eco Warrior’ category for ‘the school that has gone green and champions environmentally-friendly initiatives’.

Walhampton’s Chapel Choir has had an exciting year of performance and, in their first year of competing, the Choir has achieved an international award.

We are pleased to share that Walhampton has been shortlisted in the Independent Schools of The Year Awards 2023 for an award in the Independent Boarding School of the Year category.

Walhampton Drama has been in full swing this school year. Let us remind you what’s been going on...

We recently welcomed Year R children from Eling Infant School in Totton, near Southampton to join our Year R pupils for the day. 

This Saturday 20th May, Walhampton hosted a special Arts Festival which celebrated a theme of a ‘Journey’ as part of the School’s 75th anniversary celebrations. A showcase of all Walhampton’s creative arts, the 2023 Arts Festival marked the journey that Walhampton has taken over 75 years since it was founded on this site.

As educators, we will tend to take the view that a busy child is a good child. However, when we finally give our children free time, what do they do with it? Do they immerse themselves in a solitary voyage into the virtual world or do they choose to enjoy each other’s company? Read more in our blog...

The Royal Mint has revealed the new 50 pence coin featuring for the first time the portrait of King Charles III. Like all the coins of his mother, Elizabeth II, this one has a series of Latin acronyms surrounding the monarch’s effigy. The acronyms, D.G., Rex, F.D, stand for: by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith. Defender of the Faith was a title first bestowed on Henry VIII by a grateful pope for Henry’s rebuttal of Martin Luther’s criticism of the faith. When Henry, in turn, split away from Rome, he hung on to the title. Our monarchs have used it ever since, signifying their fidelity to Christianity. But how has this changed and how does it relate to life at Walhampton? Read our Head's blog to find out more...

Walhampton has staged its first Trashion/Fashion show during this Thursday’s assembly and at our Friday chapel service. The children have worked incredibly hard creating their pieces with some of our seniors undertaking their project during enrichment sessions this term.

We are enormously proud of how brilliantly the U13 boys played in the IAPS Hockey National Finals this week finishing 12th in the UK out of 140+ schools, and what a great representation of Walhampton Prep School sport they were! The boys showed determination, skill, passion and resilience against all the odds to achieve a well deserved 4th place in the Plate Competition.

Walhampton recently hosted the 42nd edition of the Perry Dalziell Cross Country race, an event that has been a Walhampton tradition since 1980. We were delighted to welcome back Robert Dalziell, one of the founders of this event. Thankfully, although it was chilly, the weather was kind to us and the course was dry.

We are delighted to announce that our Year 8 pupils have received a record number of scholarships at a range of senior schools. Almost 45% of the cohort have been awarded scholarships in a variety of disciplines covering academic, art, design and technology, drama and performing arts, music and sport.

Last week Year 6 made the news at Sky Studios in London. Using four dedicated suites of cameras and editing equipment they made reports on the climate crisis and body image.

Following the School’s latest donation to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA), Walhampton’s Parents' Association Chair was invited for a tour of the charity’s Headquarters and to meet the team behind the Helicopter and ground crew.

Walhampton is pleased to share the recently published report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) following a rigorous Regulatory Compliance Inspection at Walhampton School carried out at the end of last year. 

Group 1 saw Walhampton drawn against Embly, Port Regis, Sandroyd, Hazel Grove and All Hallows.  In our first match we played Embly.  Walhampton started strong, scoring two goals in the first half. The team then played solidly in the second half to win comfortably 2 - nil.

Huge congratulations to our three Walhampton old boys who have completed the biggest challenge of their lives

On Monday evening we were treated to an amazing musical performance starring 130 children from across the school, as part of their ‘Christmas Cracker’ concert. The children’s passion for music was clear and they all had smiles on their faces as they wore their Santa hats with pride.

Well done to all our children for their fantastic entries into our Eco House Model Boat Challenge. Designed over half term, we received nearly 60 entries which were launched on the lake yesterday.

The idea that STEAM subjects do not need to be isolated is key in inspiring the children to spark deeper interests. That’s what our STEAM Fair was all about and Mrs Marshall and Mr Bennett were delighted to receive a plethora of new and innovative ideas. 

We were delighted to host a small gathering of our alumni community for the launch of our Walhampton School Foundation Trust on Friday 7th October.

Walhampton has been awarded the Talk Education’s award for ‘Innovation in Education’ in the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing category.

As a school community, we unite in loss for Queen Elizabeth II, but in celebration, too. We will continue to follow Her Majesty’s example of kindness, duty, service, humility and unwavering commitment which she embodies throughout her reign.

Last week, Walhampton held its first school Sailing Regatta at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. This was for our Year 5/6 children with those who race regularly and have taken part in our U11 regattas paired up with a less experienced crew and encouraged to pass on their skills and knowledge of racing.

At the end of the summer term, Viv Carter from Honeypot children's charity popped in to say a huge thank you to Walhampton. Even though Honeypot is not one of our school charities this year, she said the huge donations given during lockdown from the School had kept them up and running.

Congratulations to all our Year 8 pupils on receiving their Common Entrance exam results today. It has been a joy seeing them share results and celebrate together with a BBQ and swimming fun in the sunshine.

What a brilliant way to start this year's Eco Day. There was plenty of curiosity from across our year groups as we talked, shared and listened to how we can all help to save our planet. As part of our Eco Day to launch our Carbon Zero pledge, we welcomed author Mattea Pauc of Re-Educating Earthlings plus entomologist Dr George McGavin.

From horse & carriage parades, to town bands, space hoppers and Pre-Prep crowns ….it could only be Walhampton’s Jubilee celebrations!

There is no doubt that Walhampton is a school with green thumbs. With many eco-initiatives that have superseded the requirements for the ‘Green Flag Status’ it is clear that Walhampton cares deeply for the environment.

Walhampton’s first School opera is a success. Walhampton staged its first opera performance of ‘The Magic Flute’ this week to a packed audience of family, staff and special guests from the local community. 

Returning to Walhampton after five years has emersed me into nostalgia. As the new music and drama assistant seeing a school from a staff perspective has shined new lights on old memories.

This week I spent a morning in Pre-Prep. Some of the children were, I was told, incredibly excited about my visit as they did not even realise they had a Head.

Dear 2021 I’m so glad you’re here! Your older brother, 2020, was an oppressive one. Whilst he highlighted just how important community is, he was perplexing and unpredictable. You never knew what was coming next with him.

Our maths department has created a continuous curriculum plan for maths learning through the Pre-Prep, Junior and Senior stages of Walhampton.

Although the children are back at school and enjoying learning with their teachers, we are well aware that it feels different for parents this year.

When you think of a school classroom, you’ll probably picture four walls, chairs and desks. But what if a classroom had none of that? Just trees and foliage, lakes and fields, open sky for a ceiling, and learning materials strewn around on the woodland floor. Now imagine how much fun that would be for any enquiring young mind.

Every year we look forward to welcoming our Reception classes into school in September. For some it’s just a hop and a skip across the corridor from our Kindergarten classroom. For others it’s their first experience of Walhampton.

The Board of Governors is delighted to announce that the School has appointed Jonathan Timms as the new Headmaster of Walhampton from January 2021.

It’s British Science Week and to celebrate we’re taking a look at the fantastic scientific projects underway by the students at Walhampton in Hampshire.

The Year 8 text in English this term is ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Set 1 are currently enjoying the cut and thrust, the grief and despair, and of course the achingly moving love story that forms the narrative thread of this classic Shakespearian tragedy.

It’s not just Hogwarts where pupils arrive at school by train. Every week the Walhampton Express travels from London through the picturesque Hampshire countryside to arrive at Walhampton Prep School, an outstanding boarding school in the New Forest.

Few things are more precious – or wondrous to behold - than the early years of a child’s development. The friends they make. The talents they reveal. The questions they ask. The adventures they enjoy.

WHY WOULD I CHOOSE BOARDING FOR MY LITTLE GIRL? This is a question that a growing number of parents ask when looking for the right educational path for their daughter.

Most boarding schools today offer a plethora of boarding options, but one option, in particular, is becoming increasingly popular with a large number of parents: In the world of prep schools, ‘flexi boarding’ is seen as a bridge between the world of a day pupil and that of a weekly or full-boarder.

Walhampton School was delighted to welcome Hollie Webb, the GB hockey gold medalist of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

We are delighted to announce that Walhampton Prep School has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Status. Ten years ago, we joined the Eco-Schools scheme, since then, have guided teachers and pupils to achieving this ultimate Green Flag Status.