Schools & Education in The Cotswolds (South Gloucestershire), Cheltenham, South Oxfordshire, Bath, Wiltshire & Cheltenham

Nursery and Pre-School

Top of the bunch is Headington Pre-School and Forest School (“Outstanding”) set in a lovely village location on the edge of town. Jack and Jill Community Pre-School has been rated “Good” and is situated in the grounds of St Edmunds Roman Catholic Academy. Another “Good” nursery is Sunny Days as is Tiny Bubbles@Jesters which takes children from 0-5 years.

State Primary and Secondary

There’s a few to choose from in Calne itself and also in the outlying area. Top of the pile is Derry Hill CofE, a mixed primary for ages 5-11 years with a 5 star rating from the Schools Guide and an “Outstanding” from Ofsted. Two more popular choices are Hilmarton Primary School and Holy Trinity CofE Academy – both “Good”.

For secondary then the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy is a large mixed secondary school 20 minutes by car from Calne and boasts an Ofsted “Outstanding” in its latest inspection report. Abbeyfield and Hardenduish, both large secondary co-ed schools in Chippenham are “Good” and worthy of mention.

Independent Prep and Senior

St Margaret’s School is a very well established independent day school in the centre of town, for girls and boys from 3-11 years. Alternatively 20 minutes up the road in Melksham, Stonar School is another good option.

The best independent senior school in town is St Mary’s Calne (recently voted best independent school in South West England by The Sunday Times School‘s Guide), which takes girls from 11-18 years. On the doorstep, Marlborough College is also top of the league and takes both girls and boys from 13-18 years.

Stonar in Melksham (mixed) has a good reputation, while a further option is Dauntsey’s School, also mixed, in nearby Devizes.

Nursery and Pre-School

You will find a wide choice of nurseries and pre-schools in and around Cheltenham. Meadows Day Nursery boasts an “Outstanding” from Ofsted and local Mum’s rave about Broadlands in Leckhampton which Ofsted rated as “Good”. Another popular day nursery in the centre of town is Tree Tops (part of the Dean Close Foundation) while if your looking for a Montessori approach, Cheltenham Nursery and Pre-School is the first one that offers this in town.

Some of the independent schools also have their own nurseries; Airthrie School and Cheltenham College, while at Dean Close the pre-preps, fondly known as “The Squirrels” enjoy excellent facilities and access to the vast outdoor space of the main school’s grounds.

State Primary and Secondary

There is no shortage of good state primary schools in the vicinity. The best performing ones to consider are Naunton Park Primary School, Holy Apostles’ Church of England Primary School, St James’ Church of England Primary School and The Catholic School of Saint Gregory the Great, all of which have been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

For state secondary schools, the much sort after Pates Grammar School is rated top school in Cheltenham by the “School Guide” and has just been voted the Sunday Times “South West State Secondary School of the Year”.  “Outstanding” Balcarras School is another top performer while Bournside School is “Good” with some “outstanding features”.

Independent Prep and Senior

Airthrie is a small independent day school while Cheltenham College, Dean Close and St Edwards Independent schools all boast their own prep school, each aspiring to give all round preparation for the transition into senior school education.

Cheltenham Ladies College, girls only from 11-18 years, (with day or full boarding options), jostles to be top of the league with iconic Cheltenham College (co-ed day, weekly and full boarders). This is followed by St Edward’s, a small mixed independent day school with an Ofsted rated “Outstanding” junior school and “excellent” senior school, whilst nearby “Outstanding” Dean Close School offers day, weekly and full boarding.

Nursery and Pre-School

Little Pips Nursery in Chippenham is a well established family run set-up offering a high standard of childcare to it’s little attendees. Also popular with Mums are Snowdrop Cottage day nursery and Busy Bees, both of which rank “Good” in Ofsted’s ratings.

State Primary and Secondary

For state primaries, Kington St Michael CofE Primary School is top in Chippenham, according to the School Guide and has been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted. Look at King’s Lodge, Monkton Park, Charter, Ivy Lane, Redland and Queen’s Crescent primaries for Ofsted “Good”.

For secondary education in town Hardenhuish (previously voted among Tatler’s top state schools), Abbeyfield and Sheldon are all Ofsted “Good” and scored 4/5 in the School Guide ratings. Nearby, Malmesbury School offers a high quality of education and has been given an Ofsted “Excellent” for its co-ed secondary education.

Independent Prep and Senior

The nearest independent prep schools are Heywood Prep in Corsham and St Margaret’s Preparatory School in Calne. Both of these are co-ed and rated “Excellent”.

St Mary’s Calne is a day and full-boarding, girls only school in Calne (rated “Excellent”) and recently voted best South West Independent School by The Sunday Times School‘s Guide. Stonar School, 6 miles away in Melksham, scores 4/5 in the Schools Guide and boasts “Excellent” ratings from the ISI for its day, weekly and boarding facilities for boys and girl from 3 years.

Slightly further away, Westonbirt School near Tetbury offers a day and boarding school with a co-ed prep school from 3-11 years and a girls only senior school from 11-18 years.

Nursery and Pre-School

Right in the centre of town you’ll find Acorn’s Nursery which covers toddlers through to pre-school including holiday and after school clubs. Also in town, Bingham Kindergarten is a small traditional nursery school with a great reputation and a tendency to feed into local prep schools. Further out you’ll find the Ofsted “Outstanding” Mrs Berry’s Montessori where places are coveted.

State Primary and Secondary

For a relatively small town, there are a wide variety of good academic establishments to choose from both in town and in outlying villages. For primary; Powell’s CofE and Stratton CofE are both Ofsted “Outstanding” whilst Watermoor CofE scores a “Good” and enjoys a new premises with far reaching grounds.

Locally, Deer Park and Kingshill are both “Outstanding” for their secondary education (from 11-16 years). South Gloucestershire also has a collection of great Grammar Schools; Sir Thomas Rich’s, Gloucester and Marling for boys in Stroud, both with mixed sixth forms, Ribston Hall for girls (mixed sixth form) and the co-ed Crypt both Gloucester, plus Pates Grammar in Cheltenham, consistently voted one of the best in the country.

Independent Prep and Senior

Parents are spoilt for choice by the range of independent schools in Gloucestershire with many in stunning locations offering diverse extra-curricular programmes and outstanding academic results. For junior schools look at Hatherop Castle School and exclusive Beaudesert and Pinewood, all co-ed.

The excellent Rendcombe and Cheltenham Colleges offer pre-school through to and including sixth form and top scoring Cheltenham Ladies Colleges takes girls from 11-18 years.

Nursery and Pre-School

Malmesbury has a smattering of Ofsted “Good” nurseries and pre-schools in its centre; Sunny Days and Cross Hayes Pre-Schools and YMCA King’s Nursery, to highlight a few. Out of town, The Malthouse Nursery (term time only) is set in the beautiful rural surrounds of Charlton Park, a private estate and working farm.

State Primary and Secondary

For local primary schools, St Joseph’s Catholic is good as is Lea and Garsden (given 5 stars from the Schools Guide). At the top of the tables both Ofsted and SIAMs have rated Malmesbury CofE as “Excellent“. The neighbouring villages of Crudwell, Sherston and Minety also have “Good” primary schools of their own.

In the centre of the town, Malmesbury School is a popular foundation comprehensive school offering a high quality of education and has been given an Ofsted “Excellent” for its co-ed secondary education.

Independent Prep and Senior

The nearest independent school is Westonbirt School near Tetbury (10 minutes drive). Set in heavenly grounds, there’s even a lake and an amphitheatre, this is a day and boarding school with a co-ed prep school from 3-11 years and a girls only senior school from 11-18 years.

About 35 minutes drive away you’ll find St Mary’s School Calne (pre-school to Senior, all girls) and Wycliffe College and Rendcombe Pre-School through to Senior Schools (both co-ed).

Nursery and Pre-School

Melksham has a range of Ofsted “Good” rated nurseries. In town your find Shaw and Whitley Pre-School, Rocking Horse Nursery, Bowerhill Pre-school while ABC Day Nursery is also popular with mums.

Two miles out of town you’ve got Broughton Gifford Nursery which is housed in a purpose built wooden lodge set in the grounds of St Mary’s Primary School. Alternatively the nursery at Heywood Prep School in Corsham is also popular.

State Primary and Secondary

By far the best primary school in Melksham is Seend Cof E Primary School which retained its Ofsted “Good” in a recent inspection and was awarded a full 5 stars by the Schools Guide. Keevil Church of England Primary in nearby Trowbridge is also worthy of mention as being one of the best in the area.

For secondary education the co-ed St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge is the nearest “Outstanding” with the larger St Laurence School in Bradford-on-Avon and the previously “Tatler favoured” Hardenhuish and Abbeyfield School in Chippenham “Good” with “Outstanding” features.

Independent Prep and Senior

Stonar School is Melksham’s only independent school and takes both girls and boys as day or boarders from 2 years up to the end of sixth form.

Heywood Prep School in Corsham takes children from nursery through pre-prep to prep. St Margaret’s is an independent day school for boys and girls from 3-11 years in Calne Wiltshire and tends to feed into neighbouring St Mary’s Calne.

The best local Senior School for girls is St Mary’s Calne (recently voted top independent in the South West by The Sunday Times Schools Guide). For boys, nearby Marlborough College continues to impress.

Nursery and Pre-School

In the centre of Nailsworth you’ll find Phoenix Playmates, an Ofsted “Good”, term time, pre-school which is part of Nailsworth Primary School. Just up the road lies Horsley Village, whose Playgroup in the village hall has been awarded an Ofsted “Outstanding”. Also popular in the area are the two Polly’s Nursery and Pre-Schools (one near Chalford the other near Nailsworth). Both of these also boast an “Outstanding” from Ofsted.

State Primary and Secondary

In the heart of town, Nailsworth Church of England Primary School, is an Ofsted “Good” and offers education for both boys and girls.

In Stroud you’ll find Stroud High School for girls and Marling School for boys, both very good selective grammar schools offering “Outstanding” high school education. The schools have both recently made their sixth forms co-ed.

A 20 minute car journey gets you to Malmesbury School – a popular co-ed secondary school which offers a high quality of Ofsted “Outstanding” education.

Independent Prep and Senior

Nearby Beaudesert School, is a popular high-achieving independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 3-13 years.

The Acorn School in Nailsworth is an independent co-educational school for children aged 8-18, which aims to provide an “holistic” education, and has been rated “Excellent” by Ofsted in the past.

Wycliffe College, Stonehouse near Stroud, has a prep and senior school and offers co-education on a day and boarding basis while another option is Wynstones, a Steiner Warldorf school, in Gloucester. Both schools received a 5 out of 5 score from the Schools Guide.

For a greater choice of independent education you’ll need to travel further afield towards Cheltenham or into North Wiltshire.

Nursery and Pre-School

Look no further than Painswick Playgroup, an Ofsted rated “Outstanding” playgroup located in the grounds of Croft School in the middle of the town.

State Primary and Secondary

Painswick’s Croft Primary School caters for both boys and girls from 3-11 years old and has been given a “Good” rating by Ofsted. You’ll also find a variety of well-performing primary schools in nearby Stroud and Gloucester.

Painswick is well positioned for some excellent secondary schools. Marling School in Stroud and Sir Thomas Rich‘s in Gloucester (both boys till the sixth form then mixed) and The Crypt (combined), also in Gloucester, are all selective grammars. For girls, there is Stroud High School in Stroud (Ofsted “Outstanding”) and Ribston Hall (Ofsted “Good”) and High School for Girls (Ofsted “Outstanding“), both situated in Gloucester.

Independent Prep and Senior

For independent schools, one of the best prep schools nearby is popular Beaudesert that takes girls and boys from 3-13 years. You’ve also got Wycliffe College which has prep and senior schools and offers co-education on a day and boarding basis and Wynstones, a Steiner Warldorf school, in Gloucester. Both schools received a 5 out of 5 scores from the Schools Guide.

Nursery and Pre-School

Seasons Nursery are a local day care provider in Stonehouse and Stroud caring for children aged 3 months to 5 years.  Curious Caterpillars in town is rated Ofsted “Good” and boasts its own new Forest School area. Also popular on the outskirts of town are the two Polly’s Nursery and Pre-Schools (one near Chalford the other near Nailsworth). Both of these rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

State Primary and Secondary

There are several Ofsted rated “Outstanding” primary schools in the town and many more in the surrounding villages. Topping the list are Foxmoor, Uplands, Amberley, Woodchester, Rodborough, Bussage and Randwick primaries.

The best secondary schools in the area are the state-funded selective grammars; Stroud High School for girls and Marling School for boys, both very good and Ofsted rated “Outstanding”. Both schools have recently introduced mixed sixth forms. More choice of a similar high standard can be found in nearby Gloucester; Sir Thomas Rich’s, The Crypt School, Ribston Hall and High School for Girls.

Independent Prep and Senior

The best local independent junior school is Beaudesert School, offering day and boarding facilities for girls and boys aged 3-13 years, located 10 minutes up the road in Minchinhampton.

For independent schools, the nearest are Wycliffe College which has a prep and senior school and offers co-education on a day and boarding basis and Wynstones, a Steiner Warldorf school, in Gloucester. Both schools received a 5 out of 5 score from the Schools Guide.

Nursery and Pre-School

Tiggers on the edge of Tetbury is a private day nursery taking children from birth to 5 years and was rated “Good” by Ofsted in their recent report.

Outside of town you’ll find the two Polly’s Nurseries towards Stroud, YMCA King’s Nursery in Malmesbury and the private nursery at Beaudesert Park School in Minchinhampton.

State Primary and Secondary

In Tetbury itself, St Mary’s Primary School is a “Good” Ofsted school, while outlying villages such as Avening and Leighterton have their own “Good” rated primary schools too.

Sir William Romney’s is a secondary school with Academy status which takes students from 11-16 years and serves Tetbury and the surrounding area.

Nearby Malmesbury also has its share of good primary schools and a very good secondary school. While Stroud (35 minutes by car) boasts two exceptional selective grammar schools; Stroud High School for Girls and Marlings, for boys (both newly co-ed in the sixth form).

Independent Prep and Senior

A 15 minute drive away, Beaudesert Park School, is a popular high-achieving independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 3-13 years.

Just out of town, Westonbirt School with its magnificent grounds, offers a day and boarding school with a co-ed prep school from 3-11 years and a girls only senior school from 11-18 years. For greater choice you’ll need to look further afield towards Gloucester, Cheltenham and North Wilts.

Nursery and Pre-School

You’ll find First Step Nurseries for 2-5 year olds at Crossways Infant School “Good” and Christ The King Primary School “Outstanding”. Happy Days has recently opened an 81-place nursery/pre-school open from 7am-7pm while Little Acorns is part of the Little Acorns and Stepping Stones group of eight nurseries scattered through South Gloucestershire and Bristol and takes children from birth until 5 years.

State Primary and Secondary

Top of the pile is St Mary’s Church of England which boasts an Ofsted “Outstanding” and full 5 stars from the School Guide. Christ The King Catholic Primary School is “Good” with “Outstanding” features and Crossways Infant School and Gillingstool Primary both continue to be “Good”. Less than 15 minutes by car from Thornbury, both Almondsbury CofE Primary and the small Stone with Woodford Church CofE Primary in Berkeley are worthy of mention as popular “Outstanding” options.

The Castle School in Thornbury is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form with academy status which recently topped the tables for GCSE results in South Gloucestershire. Less than 20 minutes away, the long established, co-ed Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, received “Good” with “Outstanding” features for its recent inspection report. Around half an hour from Thornbury you’ll also find a selection of exceptional grammar schools, Bristol Grammar, Marling and Stroud High in Stroud, Sir Thomas Rich’s and High School for Girls in Gloucester and Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham.

Independent Prep and Senior

The “Outstanding” Winterbourne School on the outskirts of Bristol is one of the best Prep Schools in the area and takes boys and girls into its pre-school from 2 years old.  Ten minutes by car from Thornbury, Tockington Manor School is another mixed prep where the ISI recently concluded that the quality of the pupil’s personal development was “Excellent” while the quality of their academic and other achievements was “Good”.

For senior schools you’ll need to travel further afield to Bristol for Clifton High School, Cheltenham for the renowned Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Ladies College and Bath for The Royal School, King Edward’s and Monkton Combe.