FAQs

Sunningdale is a small family school where everybody is part of the family. We are a very close knit community and Sunningdale is like a home from home.

Boarding is very much at the heart of the Sunningdale community but we do have a number of day places in each year. Day boys at Sunningdale really benefit from being part of a boarding school. They arrive by 8.20am and have the option of staying right up until 7.30pm.

We encourage the boys at Sunningdale to talk to anyone they feel comfortable with. The relationships between staff and pupils are excellent. We have a wonderful team of matrons who act as surrogate mothers and Mrs Dawson is also on site for anyone that needs a bit of TLC.

If they are the sort of boy who likes having a go at different things and getting stuck in they will love Sunningdale. They love being with their friends and the weeks are so busy and fun that they do not want to miss out.

By the time they are 7 or 8, boys need a wide range of different outlets. They need a good variety of activities and a good balance of work and play. At a country prep school the extra-curricular opportunities are almost endless and you don't have to travel anywhere to take part.

Busy weekends are crucial. Masses of activities are on offer from paint-balling to premiership rugby games and the boys get to choose what they would like to do. The boys also like having some unstructured time so that they can choose what they want to do. There is so much for them to choose from within the school grounds.

Absolutely! Boys can go home after matches or games on a Saturday and they can either return on Sunday evening or on Monday morning. About half of the boys choose to stay in at weekends as they love the chance to have some relaxed time with their friends.

Sunningdale is non-selective. We invite prospective boys to a Discovery Day where they will take part in activities such as a science experiment, some sport or a leadership task. We observe them throughout the day to see if they are the sort of boys who will thrive here. We also ask their current schools for a reference to make sure that they will be able to keep with our curriculum. What we are really interested in is their character; will they want to get involved in lots of the opportunities on offer?

We offer academic and outstanding talent awards in music and sport. Boys are assessed during a scholarship day. Do contact the office for a scholarship entry form. We do offer bursaries for various different reasons and further details of these can be obtained from the Headmaster.

Parents may register their sons from birth but there are always one or two places available up to a year prior to entry.

Boys can join Sunnindgale in Year 7 but places are limited. As a result of this we have had to introduce an assessment. The academic element of this assessment is important but we also take into account other factors such as sporting or musical ability.

Being smaller than most schools has huge advantages. The boys get more of a chance to shine. Sunningdale has a wonderful family atmosphere and every boy feels valued. The classes are very small so every pupil receives a great deal of attention and they get fantastic support.