Founded in 1830, Prior Park College is a co-educational boarding and day school which is Christian in the Catholic tradition.
The College is housed in magnificent Palladian architecture, built by John Wood for Ralph Allen, with glorious views of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. The 57-acre site combines an elegant setting for boarding and day education, with access to Bath and its numerous cultural attractions. Good road and rail links to Bristol, Heathrow and Gatwick international airports allow easy transfer for our international students.
Structure of the School. Prior Park is a happy, thriving community of approximately 550 pupils. The two boarding houses are home to approximately 145 full and weekly boarders.
Objectives of the College. At Prior Park, every child is known, valued and cared for. The school’s primary aim is to provide a genuine all-round education and, while academic endeavour remains at the school’s core, Prior Park encourages its students to embrace all the opportunities on offer. Its students are happy and successful, in that order. They emerge with a character that is well rounded and an academic profile that allows them to make their next step in life with confidence – whatever that step might be.
Buildings and grounds. Prior Park is ranked by the Oxford Royale Academy as one of the UK’s most beautiful boarding schools. The Houses, Administration and College Chapel are to be found in the fine 18th-century architecture, grouped around Ralph Allen’s celebrated Palladian Mansion. Our boys’ and girls’ boarding accommodation provide comfortable study-bedrooms, quiet areas and recreational rooms. On-site facilities are excellent and include a sports centre with fitness suite, indoor swimming pool, all weather pitches, 160-seat theatre, recording studio, chapel, an industry-standard A level D&T workshop, a health and wellbeing centre, and a recently renovated Sixth Form Centre.
Curriculum. Our curriculum is unashamedly broad so we can help every child find and pursue their unique gifts, talents and passions, from Physics to Photography, Maths to Mandarin. At GCSE, Prior students enjoy a truly individualised programme. English and Mathematics are required core examination subjects, and students select a further six optional subjects, each a free choice from a menu of nearly 30 disciplines. This approach helps our young people to pursue their own interests and passions and, importantly, play to their strengths. In Sixth Form, students mostly take three A level subjects plus another qualification, e.g. an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Music. The Music Department houses a recording studio, and teaching and practice rooms. Orchestras, band, choirs, shows, chamber music, jazz, African drums: the Music department covers every musical genre. Performances number around 60 per academic year, ranging from Band Night to more formal events such as The Grand Summer Concert. Music and Music Technology is available at A level.
Drama. The Drama department is proud of its reputation for putting on diverse and impressive productions, with two or three major productions each year. Drama is offered at both GCSE and A level.
Visual Arts and D&T. The Visual Arts department comprises Fine Art, Photography and Textiles. Student work is showcased in the gallery spaces throughout the College. The D&T department is highly respected, with facilities on a par with neighbouring universities and many industrial workplaces. For many years, Prior Park Students have been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.
Physical Education and Games. Focus sports are rugby, hockey, cricket, netball and tennis. From Year 9, students are also offered elective sports, such as: swimming, badminton, cross-country, football, basketball, table tennis, athletics, use of Fitness Studio, sailing, stand up paddleboarding.
Clubs and societies. There are daily clubs ranging from Amnesty International to Astronomy (the College has its own observatory).
The Combined Cadet Force includes Navy and Army Sections.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme operates at Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award level.
Saturday Active is a programme of courses that take place every Saturday morning. There are a wide variety of courses to choose from, such as sailing, golf, music practice. All younger full-time boarders take part in Saturday Active; it is optional for day students.
All pupils participate in a wide range of after-school activities and clubs.
Admission. Main points of admission are at 11+, 13+ and 16+ but pupils may transfer into the College at other times if places are available. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the College on Open Days or by arranging an individual visit.
Entrance and scholarship examinations for 11+ and 13+ take place in December and January prior to entry in September. 16+ scholarship examinations and interviews take place in November. Contact the Registrar, admissions.ppc@priorparkschools.com, for further information. Scholarships and bursaries. Academic Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Art, D&T, Drama, Music and Sporting awards are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Awards can carry with them a fee remission, except for Music, complimentary music lessons, and for Drama, complimentary LAMDA lessons.
Bursaries are available, including HM Forces Bursaries. The Financial Controller is pleased to discuss individual cases. Sibling discounts apply.
Annual fees (2025-2026). Full Boarding: £48,685; Weekly Boarding: £37,765; Day: £22,415–£24,315.
The Paragon School, Bath – Junior School of Prior Park College. Housed in an impressive Georgian mansion, the co-educational school for 3–11 years is set in beautiful wooded grounds, only a few minutes drive from Prior Park College. A broad and balanced curriculum is delivered within a happy, caring environment.
Head: Mrs Rosie Allen
Prior Park School, Gibraltar. Opened in September 2016, Prior Park School is the first Independent co-educational senior school in Gibraltar for children aged 11–18 years.
Headmaster: Mr Paul Martyn
Charitable status. Prior Park Educational Trust is a Registered Charity, number 281242.
Governors & Staff:
Patrons:
Mr C J B Davy
Sir Cameron Mackintosh
The Rt Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes
Commodore C B York
Trustees:
Mr D Catlow (Chair of Trustees)
Mr T Alves (Vice Chair)
Mr C Braunack
Mr N Dowler
Mr E Flower
Mrs V Humphries
Mr D Leach
Mr P Lyon
Ms J Mee
Revd Prebendary N Rawlinson
Mr J Spencer
Headmaster: Mr Ben Horan
Chief Operating Officer: Ms E Sandberg
Deputy Head Academic: Mr C Gamble
Deputy Head Pastoral: Mrs I Burton
Assistant Head (Activities): Mr M Bond
Assistant Head (Progress and Tracking): Ms L Sutherland
Assistant Head (Director of Studies): Mr K Chard
Assistant Heads (Teaching and Learning): Mrs N Cordon & Mr M Bishop
Assistant Head (Wellbeing): Mr D Sackett
Assistant Head (Sixth Form): Mrs N Andrews
Head of Compliance: Miss E Wickham
Executive PA to Headmaster and Director of Operations and Finance: Ms D Miller
Registrar: Mrs V Quinn
Director of Development: Mr D Rainey