Basic Information & Location
Prior’s Field is an independent girls’ boarding and day school with a fasciting history. Nestled within 42 acres of stunning Surrey countryside, the school feels hundreds of miles away from the hustle and bustle of London, but can actually be in the city within forty minutes. The school’s safe, tranquil setting is home to a school with a difference, a place where individuality is celebrated and uniqueness embraced: a happy, positive environment, where the girls enjoy learning.
Achieving happy girls, every day, is the school’s core aim. The happiness and well-being of girls has always been at the heart of what the school does because it knows that contented and fulfilled girls, succeed. They have the confidence to step outside the box, take risks, try new challenges and embrace opportunities.
School Motto
We live by admiration, hope and love
Academic Development
As the individual girl is at the centre of what Prior’s Field does, class sizes are kept small. Personal and academic potential are nurtured. The school places a high priority on the independence of thought, problem-solving and the huge satisfaction that comes from working hard. The school is full of high performing young women who constantly demonstrate sparkiness and a ‘can do’ attitude. They step up to edit the school magazine, build and race sports cars and break school sports records.
The school encourages the girls to develop styles of learning that work best for them. In lessons, they are taught essential skills that will help in their future working lives. They also learn the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork and celebrating the success of others.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
Prior’s Field has always, since its foundation in 1902, focused on the development of well-rounded, balanced young women. Pastoral support and positive wellbeing are evident in the very vibe that runs throughout the school attracting teaching and support staff who value the ideology. The school focuses on motivation, self-belief and enjoyment to bring out the best in its pupils; there is no need to drive the girls with relentless pressure.
Boarding at Prior’s Field combines the love and care of a family home with the stimulation, variety and support of a school. The school is proud that its knowledgeable, caring and experienced staff offer the highest standards in their pastoral care and support of its young people as recognised by its most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection (2016) which spoke of the ‘atmosphere of trust, tolerance and friendship’ in the boarding houses.
Flexibility is the key, as the school offers full, weekly and flexi boarding to suit the needs of modern families. It understands that parents are aiming to be strong role models for their children, often both working and yet risk being pulled in all directions running them to clubs, activities, supporting homework and being a taxi service to allow for social activities. If girls board, all of those things are taken care of by the school, with time saved on travelling to and from school. The school knows that boarding is a decisive added bonus to an independent education
Extra-curricular & Personal Development
The opportunities provided are as diverse as the ambitions of the girls. Just about every interest and talent is catered for through an impressive range of over 40 termly clubs and enrichment activities. The school has a ‘work hard, play hard’ approach, with plenty of time built into busy lives for friendship, relaxation and fun.
Activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, World Challenge and Young Enterprise are a perfect way to develop resourcefulness and acquire leadership skills which can be transferred to the classroom. From the school’s own local frequency radio station to rock climbing, yoga, silversmithing and debating, there really is something for everyone.
Meanwhile, everyone is encouraged to take part in music, whatever their level of ability. From violin and electric guitar to saxophone, flute and rock and pop singing, the school encourages diverse interests. For more advanced musicians there are plenty of formal performance opportunities through the concert band, brass and strings groups, the annual celebration of Christmas service and house music competition. Tea time concerts give less experienced musicians a turn in the spotlight.