London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



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<p>This long-standing Wimbledon prep has a notably modern, child-centred mindset. It’s Catholic in ethos, but inclusive in practice (around half of pupils are from non-Catholic backgrounds), and the atmosphere is warm, open and purposeful.</p>



<p>The setting reflects the philosophy: a handsome 1933 building linked to bright, contemporary extensions, all set in 1.6 leafy acres and a 15-minute walk from Wimbledon Village; the school also benefits from a separate 13-acre Donhead sports ground nearby.</p>



<p>Around 300 pupils (3–11 yrs) learn in small classes capped at 22. Formerly boys-only, Donhead became co-ed in 2024 and is currently 30% girls, and the balance is growing year on year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities">FACILITIES</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sport">SPORT</h2>



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<p>Donhead has an impressive reputation for sporting success, and it’s easy to see why. Check out that sports field! Just a 5 min drive away, facilities include multiple grass pitches, cricket nets, a running track and changing facilities.&nbsp;It&#8217;s a serious asset for a London-based school.</p>



<p>Back on site, there’s PE hall, newly resurfaced netball courts and plenty of open space for informal play and training. Traditional sports like rugby, football, cricket, hockey and netball sit alongside more unusual offerings such as fencing, dodgeball and – wait for it – parkour!</p>



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<p>The co-ed transition has broadened the sports offering, and there’s a real effort to ensure the pitch feels as inclusive as the classroom. There’s a notable emphasis on participation – every child gets a chance to represent the school – but also clear ambition, with county-level performers and a shelf full of silverware. The school’s annual rugby and netball tournaments are local highlights, and the Y6 international sports tour adds a touch of prep-school glamour.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creative-amp-performing-arts">CREATIVE &amp; PERFORMING ARTS</h2>



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<p>One of our favourite spaces at Donhead is the impressive double-height art and DT studio, which features an outdoor art area and mezzanine gallery. It’s a genuinely inspiring space that almost makes us want to pick up a paintbrush (almost). Every child exhibits two pieces in the annual art show, a week-long event with over 600 works on display.</p>



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<p>Music is another strong suit: around a third of pupils learn an instrument. The school even has its own auditorium, complete with professional lighting and sound. The two highlights of the year are the Donhead Carol Service at Sacred Heart Church and the Inter-House Music Competition, which involves all pupils from the Prep School.</p>



<p>Drama is inclusive – every pupil takes part in a production each year, with costumes, sets and plenty of imagination.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-school">SCHOOL</h2>



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<p>There’s an impressive array of specialist spaces here: a dedicated science lab (complete with chocolate-melting experiments, which the children still talk about), a music suite, an IT room, a refectory and the much-loved Magis Room – a quiet, cosy space used for wellbeing and emotional support sessions.</p>



<p>We love the outdoor classroom, which is so much more conducive to learning than a stuffy indoor one. It’s nestled in the newly developed woodland area (a pond is currently being built) where there are plenty of leafy hideaways for those who prefer a book to a ball. Speaking of books, there’s also a fantastic library, right next to the playground, which children can access freely during playtime.</p>



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<p>The playground, with its Lego wall, giant Jenga and climbing structures, feels more like a local park than a school backyard – oh, how we wish we’d had access to this when we were young!</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-littlies">LITTLIES</h2>



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<p>Created in late 2023 as part of Donhead’s centenary redevelopment, the Early Years setting is a calm, light-filled space designed around natural play and exploration. Classrooms open directly onto outdoor learning areas, with wooden structures, greenery and soft textures that encourage independence and imagination.</p>



<p>The layout gives children easy access to the wider school from day one, helping them feel part of the community rather than tucked away in a separate Nursery wing. Specialist teaching in music, PE and French, alongside plenty of outdoor time, ensures learning feels joyful, social and active. It’s an inviting, well-considered start to school life – gentle in pace but ambitious in purpose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics">ACADEMICS</h2>



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<p>Donhead’s academics are strong but never at the expense of the child. The approach is broad, balanced and tailored, with real thought given to how pupils learn best. The maths mastery programme and critical thinking lessons encourage curiosity and problem-solving, while the <em>Care for Our Common Home</em> curriculum weaves sustainability, geography and global citizenship together.</p>



<p>The school is proudly non-selective at entry but punches well above its weight when it comes to 11+ results – current students have scooped 32 scholarships  (academic, music, art and sport) and are going on to a range of top senior schools in Sept 26, including Kings College, Putney High, Epsom College, Reed&#8217;s School and St John&#8217;s School in Leatherhead. The Head and staff work closely with families to find the right next step for each child, focusing on fit rather than prestige.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral">PASTORAL</h2>



<p>If there’s one thing Donhead does superbly, it’s pastoral care. Their motto, <em>Cura Personalis</em> (care for the whole person) is more than words on a wall. Every child has an adult they can turn to (or a therapy dog).</p>



<p>The <em>Zones of Regulation</em> are used across the school to help children understand and manage emotions. Pupils are encouraged to check in daily using visual aids in each classroom. There’s also a <em>Worry Box</em>, where they can privately share concerns or questions – frankly, something we could all use in our working lives!</p>



<p>Teachers supervise lunch and play, ensuring continuity of care, while every Reception child is allocated their own Y6 buddy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-send">SEND</h2>



<p>There’s a strong sense that SEN provision is not a bolt-on, but woven into the fabric of the school. The team takes a genuinely inclusive, proactive approach, with a dedicated SENDCo, three ELSA assistants and additional Lego Therapy and Drawing &amp; Talking support. They’re clearly proud of the Magis Room, once an under-used locker space and now a much-loved wellbeing hub where one-to-one and small-group sessions take place. It also serves as a quiet, safe retreat for children who need a little time out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care">WRAP AROUND CARE</h2>



<p>Frazzled working parents rejoice wrap around care runs from 7.30am to 6pm (4pm on Fridays), with over 80 clubs on offer throughout the week. The range is dizzying, from fencing and parkour to magic club, laser tag and hip hop. Alongside staples like drama, chess and coding. There’s something here to keep every child busy, happy and nowhere near clock-watching for home time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head">THE HEAD</h2>



<p>Headteacher Catherine Hitchcock came from Finton House, where she was Deputy Head – though she’s no stranger to Donhead, having worked here for six years previously. Much of her work since returning two years ago has focused on the school’s transition to co-ed, but her belief in developing “competence, conscience and compassion” runs through everything, from the curriculum to the canteen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Catherine comes across as firmly on the children’s side – pragmatic, not performative and refreshingly unbothered by pushy parental expectations. She’s visible, approachable and clearly adores her pupils. This is the Head who couldn’t bring herself to bark “WALK!” at a skipping child in the corridor. “Stop being happy” just isn’t in her vocabulary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS</h2>



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<p>Aside from dodgeball being the school’s most popular sport (we love this fact), Donhead’s charm lies in its community spirit. It feels like a village school – a little bit wholesome and a lot of fun, with education as the main course, not the side dish.</p>



<p>Speaking of main courses, the canteen cook proudly serves up proper home-cooked meals. Ask any Donhead pupil their favourite thing about school and “lunchtime!” is the answer shouted with glee.</p>



<p>We also love that the Parent Association has opened a second-hand uniform shop to support both financial and environmental sustainability. Every little helps.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report">ISI REPORT</h2>



<p>Last inspected in 2025, you can read the ISI report <a href="https://www.isi.net/institutions/school/donhead-7500" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobile-phone-policy">MOBILE PHONE POLICY</h2>



<p>Phones and smartwatches are handed in each morning and locked away for safekeeping. The approach to technology is thoughtful rather than restrictive – the focus is on digital literacy and responsible use, with strong parent partnerships and weekly online safety updates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transport">TRANSPORT</h2>



<p>Most families live within 4 miles, but the minibus service from Southfields/Wimbledon Park is well used. The location – within walking distance of the village and local transport links – makes it very accessible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>Great value for Southwest London. Pre-School (including funded hours): Fee for “rest of mornings” £1,990 per term; one extra afternoon per week £480. Reception (5 yrs): £5,974 per term, Y1 – Y6: £6,226 per term – including food, stationery and VAT.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<p>Parents speak warmly of Donhead’s strong community and “down-to-earth” ethos, praising the teachers’ care, balanced academics and the smooth transition to co-ed learning. Families highlight the school’s inclusivity and pastoral focus, saying it &#8216;feels like a village school in London&#8217;.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>GOOD FOR:</strong> Families seeking a nurturing, community-minded prep where pastoral care and academic ambition sit side by side.</p>



<p><strong>NOT FOR:</strong> Those after a high-pressure, hot-house environment, or a single sex girls&#8217; setting – while co-ed is bedding in well, boys still outnumber girls for now.</p>



<p><strong>DARE TO DISAGREE?</strong> To arrange a personal tour, contact Registrar <strong>Jodie Cosh on 020 8946 7000</strong>, or send an email to <strong>admissions@donhead.org.uk</strong>.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.donhead.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donhead Prep School</a>, 33 Edge Hill, London SW19 4NP. Tel: 020 8946 7000</em>.</p>


Donhead Prep School, Wimbledon

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