Middle School

Where growing minds meet bigger adventures

In Prep 3 to Prep 5, our younger pupils build on the joyful foundations of Pre Prep and step into a world of rich learning, friendly challenge, and characterful growth. Set in the historic Castle and glade pathways beyond the Stable Yard, these years strike the perfect balance between new academic pathways and imaginative exploration.

Intellectual Curiosity & Academic Confidence

  • Our curriculum is designed to stretch ready minds with stimulating subjects like Numeracy, Literacy, Science, Computing, and Modern Foreign Languages, delivered within a personalised approach. Turn-taking as form tutors fosters trust and consistency. Pupils make excellent progress, benefiting greatly from using excellent facilities.
  • Across classes our approach remains active and lively, forest school, small-scale experiments, creative projects in art and design, and hands-on technology. Children learn by doing, a vital part of embodied learning and deeper understanding.

Character, Community & Collaboration

  • We nurture personal leadership, cooperation and confidence from the earliest years of Middle School. Pupils participate in house events, assemblies and challenges designed to encourage kindness, resilience and teamwork. Pupils’ social interaction is outstanding, they collaborate extremely well and provide each other with mutual support.
  • Our boarding and day pupils join together in enrichment clubs, beekeeping, podcasting, mindfulness, extending friendships and curiosity beyond the classroom. The excellent ‘Hobbies’ programme enables pupils to hone their skills and broaden their outlook.

Adventure, Exploration & Personal Growth

  • Middle School at Hatherop is where academic ambition meets imaginative adventure. Children explore the Castle’s woodlands, fields, workshops and learning nooks, building dens, rigging mini-raft races, or leading nature expeditions.
  • Enrichment is broad, science fairs, drama workshops and outdoor learning experiences co-exist with more traditional subjects, giving every child the space to shine. Lessons are supported by specialist teachers as academic depth increases.

Parent & Pupil Voices

  • From a parent: “Our child found their confidence in Prep 4, joining clubs, leading house competitions and always coming home eager to share what they’d discovered.”
  • From a pupil: “I spent two afternoons building our bug hotel with friends. Then I helped lead the assembly to explain how it attracts pollinators!”

Join the Adventure

Middle School at Hatherop Castle is where children begin to shape who they are, curious, confident, creative. It’s where learning becomes an adventure, and school days become full of shared stories and small triumphs.

Book a personal visit, join one of our open mornings, or contact us to learn how Middle School life aligns with your family’s aspirations. We’d love to show you!