Welcome toWaverley Preparatory School and Day Nursery
Ranked Best in Berkshire and 15th in the UK. Waverley is the top independent Prep and Pre-Prep School in Berkshire. A co-educational private school for children aged 3 months to 11 years, we offer exceptional academic performance in a warm, nurturing, family-friendly environment. Waverley's small class sizes and single form entry (one class per year group) provide a superb individual education for every child. Inspected as 'Excellent' in the our most recent graded inspection (2022) and with 100% compliance in our 2024 inspection, Waverley is the only school to have appeared in the Top 100 schools consistently for the past 13 years. Of our most recent Year 6 graduates, 78% achieved the highest grade of 'Greater Depth' in their reading, writing and maths SATS papers (compared to the national average of 8%). Our Nursery is also inspected as 'Outstanding'.
Applying for a place at Waverley. Our Prep School now has final places available for Reception 2025 and very limited availability for starting school in Reception 2026 and Reception 2027. We offer all prospective parents a 1-2-1 tour. Contact our Admissions Dept at admissions@waverleyschool.co.uk or call 0118 973 1121.
Celebrating Pupil Achievements
Congratulations to
Anya
in Year 4
For Achieving
her Brown and Black Belt in Karate
Congratulations to Anya who, during the summer holidays, graded and achieved her brown and black belt in karate. This is the highest grade and the last belt before she can attempt to grade for her first Dan black belt. Anya hopes to do this in about a year's time. Anya has been practising karate for almost four years and she is determined to beat her older sister's record of being the youngest in the club to achieve a black belt! Maybe Anya also has her eye on the Olympics in a few years time?! Well done Anya!
Outstanding pass rate for selective grammar and independent senior schools. Our Year 6 pupils move on to an impressive range of secondary schools with Waverley's focus being that children move on to the right secondary school for them. 92% of our Year 6 pupils achieve a place at their first-choice senior school. Many of our Year 6's receive multiple offers from a range of top independent and grammar schools, including scholarships to their chosen secondary school (read more here). Our results are testament to the combination of modern and traditional teaching methods, small class sizes, single form entry and a warm, caring environment where children thrive. Read 'Why Choose Waverley - 10 Quick Facts' here.
A happy, nurturing, family-feel school with a broad, rich curriculum. The priority at Waverley is to challenge every pupil to achieve academic excellence. We recognise that only happy children, who feel supported and confident, learn to the best of their ability. Our ethos at Waverley is to nurture potential, by providing a first-class education in a pastorally rich environment. Our children are encouraged to embrace opportunities to strive for excellence.
Full wrap-around care, 51 weeks a year. The school and Nursery places great emphasis on outdoor learning, sports and wellbeing. We offer wrap-around care for all our pupils 51 weeks a year, 5 days a week, 7.30am-6pm via our Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club, all managed by our own in-house Waverley Extended Hours Team. 'Waverley is more than a school, it is a community, a family', says one parent.
‘Quietly brilliant...’
‘A superior all-round option...’
‘Outstanding academic results...’
Waverley in Numbers
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Our school ranking in the UK in 2024 (by Dept. for Education based on our Year 6 SATS results from 2023)
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Top marks in our latest ISI inspection (Feb 2024) and inspected as 'Double Excellent' in our last graded inspection (2022)
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Of our Year 6 leavers achieve a place at their 1st choice secondary school (at a range of nationally and regionally renowned independent, grammar and state schools)
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Of our pupils working at 'Greater Depth' compared to the national average of 8% (2023 Year 6 pupils)
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Ranked 'Best in Berkshire' having been in the Top 100 schools consistently for 13 years (based on our SATS results of Year 6)
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Pass rate for grammar schools (11+ exam)
Our SATS Results vs National Average 2024
Our SATS results ('Achieved' and 'Greater Depth' combined results). Source: Dept. for Education
Parents say about The pre-prep School
Year 4 Parent
We just wish we'd found Waverley earlier...
Waverley is a lovely, nurturing school that helped our daughter regain her confidence and enjoy school again. Would highly recommend .
Parents say about The Prep school
Year 6 Mum
We joined halfway through school but our son felt like he had always been there.
Waverley has a wonderfully caring ethos and values. This secure platform allowed our son to fully focus on his studies in what is an unapologetically faster paced Year 5 and 6.
Parents say about The pre-prep School
Year 2 Parent
Our son loves the school...
We call our son 'Mr Waverley' because he loves the school so much!
Parents say about The Prep school
Year 6 Mum
Waverley is a fantastic school!
All three of our children have been supported and encouraged to achieve in all areas of the school community which has stayed with them to guide them into secondary school. We are incredibly grateful and privileged that Waverley has, and continues to be, part of our lives for over 10 years. Thank you.
isi inspectors say about The School (2024)
Pupils' social /economic education & contribution to society
Leaders support pupils' preparation for next steps through an engaging approach to target setting and preparation for senior school.
A programme of visiting speakers helps pupils to understand the wider world. For example, police officers speak to Year 6 about how to keep safe in the community and online.
isi inspectors say about The school (2024)
Leadership and management, and governance
The Proprietor and Board of Governors provide governance and are well informed about the school's work and performance through regular reports, school visits and committee and Board meetings with senior leaders.
Governors regularly review the content and implementation of policies to ensure the school operates in line with current legislation.
isi inspectors say about The School (2024)
Pupils' physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
Leaders ensure that pupils respect the diversity of the pupil body and share in their peers' celebrations of other cultures.
The 'Waverley Way' encapsulates the values of the school and is embedded in pupils' attitudes.
isi inspectors say about The school (2024)
Quality of education, training and recreation
Pupils develop high levels of self-understanding and self-awareness of their learning through the encouraging and supportive ethos in the school.
The warm and trusting relationships between pupils and their teachers support pupils to be self-motivated and interested in their work. As a result, pupils' self-esteem develops increasingly as they make progress.
Watch ourVideos
Welcome to Waverley Prep School
Sports Day 2024
Holiday Club 2024
Cricket Fixtures at Waverley
and SATS results