South West prep schools - Perrott Hill, Leweston Prep, Sherborne Prep

[TwigletTwo]

First time poster here!

I'm looking for experiences with prep schools in Somerset/Dorset, specifically Perrott Hill, Leweston or Sherborne Prep. Our eldest will hopefully be moving (from a local village primary) in September, to year 2, and our youngest will join reception in September 2026.
We're looking for a school with a positive, nurturing ethos (less so an academic hothouse) with a focus on a well rounded experience and education (not least because our children are quite different to one another!).

We're also keen to find a school that suits us a family, and meeting other likeminded families.

Any experiences or advice welcome - thank you.

I love Perrott Hill. Very nurturing, excellent music, art, drama and a huge range of activities. They also send children to a wide variety of senior schools both local and further afield. Do go and visit. It's a special place.

I would add Hazelgrove to your list.

Leweston is kind of a private school for people who can’t really afford private so go for the cheapest one. That said, the staff seem nice. I was there supporting a friend’s daughter recently and the main hall and area we saw looked really run down compared to my dc state school.

Sherborne prep - I don’t know much about but I am very unimpressed with the girls school. Boys school is good - dd goes to science events but that’s 6th form so you’re a bit off that.

Thank you, that’s so helpful. Are you a current parent? Would love to chat about it if you wouldn’t mind?

Ha thanks - I’m not too fussed if it’s not a typical private school in that sense, I would much rather just find the right environment. The fact they’ve just opened a beautiful new equestrian centre helps!
Hazlegrove is too far for us on a daily basis (and I don’t really want them going to school in the shadow of the A303).

Definitely visit Sherborne Prep, which could well be perfect for your children - it is an amazing school. All about the children, very encouraging - we have been impressed, and would highly recommend it.

I also think Sherborne Prep is best positioned to survive when so many others may not… you definitely need to think about prep options with this in mind now.
Look carefully at actual pupil numbers vs capacity. We’ve been told to be very wary of any prep school below 200 pupils.

Sherborne Prep has the benefit of the 'group' so they have easy access to the excellent facilities at the boys' and girls' schools. I think there might be a plan to access riding at Handford (also in the group) if you are after ponies.

They were brillliant with my DS and he loved it there. They managed the perfect balance of getting the best out of him without ever making him feel stressed. There is a very family feel and its not 'flash'- nobody was interested in who had money or not.

I agree with PP that they are probably the best positioned to survive and as you have many years to go, that should be a factor in your thinking.

Might be too far South but Wellington would top my list that way.

I may be a bit late to add to this, but I would strongly encourage you to look at Hazlegrove, as I think it has real strengths over the three that you mention.

Of those, I would agree that Sherborne is probably the strongest for all the reasons previously given.

Leweston definitely has the reputation for being the cheap school, but they definitely do well in sports from what I see.

Perrott Hill is a lovely, lovely school with a really strong family feel and a gorgeous setting, producing really nice boys and girls. However for some reason it does seem to be struggling to attract numbers, which I know has put some of my friends off sending their kids there, which I guess creates a vicious circle. I know PH parents will dispute this, but according to ISI reports pupil numbers are down from 218 in 2013 to 155 in 2025, which speaks for itself.

By comparison between 2015 and 2023 Hazlegrove numbers increased from 379 to 438, while Sherborne Prep numbers stayed pretty flat at just over 200.

Sherborne prep school is just wonderful and took my daughters from anxious to absolutely thriving. Fantastic across the board for academics and for sport.

Another vote here for Sherborne Prep!

something to consider is that Perrott have joined their year groups together 3/4, 5/6 etc as their numbers are low.

I can tell you that Perrott have not joined any year groups together!

It's a lovely school and worth visiting.

A fellow Hazlegrove parent attended an open day for Leweston senior school last week and commented that the difference in the level of facilities between the schools was a real eye opener. His view is that kids at Hazlegrove don’t know how lucky they are in comparison, and that was comparing Hazlegrove Prep with Leweston senior school. Given I heard this comment over the weekend I thought I would psss it on.

Perrott have not joined their years together 😂 where on earth have you heard that?

leweston is full in some year groups whilst other local private schools are merging year groups! It’s amazing what nonsense other Parents try and spread. Join a waiting list and come and visit the school. Large numbers coming across from PH and other schools in the area. Slightly lower fees help as well and the brilliant flexi boarding which works so well for parents and children. Inbox me if you have any questions x