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A small independent nursery and prep in Henstead, near Beccles, The Old School serves children from age 2 through to Year 6, with a deliberately “small school” feel and a curriculum shaped by its rural setting. Outdoor learning is a defining strand, with Forest School style sessions, conservation days, and residential trips built into the wider programme rather than treated as occasional enrichment.
Leadership appears closely involved in daily life, and the staff structure reflects specialist coverage across the prep years, including dedicated leads for Outdoor Education, Music, and Art and Drama.
This is not an Ofsted-inspected setting in the state system; the most recent ISI inspection (published February 2024) confirmed that required standards were met, including safeguarding.
The school’s public messaging places equal weight on academic learning and personal development through adventure and teamwork, and that emphasis is mirrored in how the curriculum is described, particularly in Outdoor Education and trips. Expect a setting where pupils are routinely outside for structured learning, not only at playtimes. The school highlights use of its field and wooded area, with pupils encouraged to explore in supervised, purposeful ways.
Pastoral structures are framed through small-community practices, with staff roles spanning form tutors across the prep years and a focus on close relationships. For families, the practical implication of a smaller independent prep is that communication tends to be direct and responsive, but it can also mean fewer “big school” options in any one term if staffing or cohort size limits what can run at scale.
The latest ISI report describes a culture of kindness, tolerance, and teamwork that pupils understand and adults reinforce consistently, with behaviour standards supported by strong pupil staff relationships.
What can be said confidently is that the school describes its intent as a challenging academic curriculum combined with investigative experiences in a rural environment, and it has an assessment process designed to monitor progress. The most recent ISI report noted that teachers’ use of assessment data to track and evaluate pupil progress was an area to strengthen, which is a useful signal for parents who want clarity on how progress is evidenced term by term.
Parents comparing options locally can still use FindMySchool’s Local Hub pages and Comparison Tool to view nearby schools’ published outcomes side by side, while using visits and work samples to judge whether this school’s small setting and curriculum approach fit their child.
Curriculum coverage is presented as broad and balanced, with subject areas including English, mathematics, humanities, art and design, music, languages, drama, and sport, alongside Outdoor Education as a structured strand rather than an occasional activity.
Outdoor learning is the standout. The school describes a staged programme that begins from Reception and builds through the prep years, including Forest School style sessions, environmental learning, a field camp-out, and increasingly ambitious trips as pupils get older. Examples given include conservation days at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, an “adventure day on the broads”, a multi-activity stay in Norfolk in Year 5, and a final residential in Wales for Year 6.
children who learn best through movement, real-world context, and hands-on experiences may find this approach particularly motivating; children who prefer highly predictable, classroom-only routines may need time to settle into the outdoor rhythm.
Music is also described as part of everyday life, with class music combining singing, instrumental work, and creative exploration. The school notes recorder and ukulele in the curriculum and access to peripatetic tuition (for example piano, voice, guitar, strings, and percussion), plus a school choir that performs for events including services at St Mary’s Church.
The school presents itself as non-selective academically, with no academic entry requirements stated in its published admissions policy.
For families seeking to explore the school in 2026, the admissions page lists multiple open weeks across February to June 2026, with booking through an enquiry form.
Because open events can change year to year, it is still sensible to check the school’s admissions page close to your preferred dates.
Safeguarding and wellbeing processes are described in formal terms in the latest ISI report, including staff knowledge of procedures, risk assessment practices, and pupils knowing who to approach with concerns.
In day-to-day practice, pastoral stability in a small prep often depends on consistent routines and clear adult expectations. The ISI summary describes behaviour standards supported by mutual respect and clear moral guidance, which usually translates into calmer classrooms and fewer low-level disruptions for pupils who want to focus.
After-school provision is presented as a rotating programme that varies termly. Named examples include Archery, Dance, Multi-Sport, Art, Fun with Percussion, Outdoor Education, Craft, Pokemon Club, and Ballet.
the menu is broad, but it is worth checking which clubs run for which ages each term, and whether numbers are capped.
Outdoor Education extends beyond clubs into whole-school experiences. The school describes “Big Day Out” trips (past examples include Cambridge and London), outdoor days at Ringsfield Hall for younger year groups, and for older pupils an orienteering and coastal treasure hunt with a nautical theme, including a two-night stay at the Warden’s Trust Centre.
Music opportunities are described both in curriculum and through choir participation, with performance as a normal expectation rather than an occasional showcase.
For 2025 to 2026, published termly tuition fees (including VAT) are listed as: Reception £3,351; Year 1 £3,795; Year 2 £3,956; Years 3 to 6 £4,815.
The same page sets out a multi-child discount structure for new families joining the school from January 2025, with reduced fees for second and subsequent children.
Nursery fee amounts are not included in this review; families should refer to the school’s own early years fee information directly.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per term
The school day is described as starting with registration at 8.35am, with a pre-booked Breakfast Club from 7.45am.
Wraparound care has defined price points in the published fees and charges information, including Breakfast Club (7.45am to 8.35am) at £6.00 and an early morning option (8.15am to 8.35am) at £2.75, plus junior after-school care (3.35pm to 4.10pm) at £2.00, with a sibling-related note for families with children in the upper school.
Families should also factor in day-to-day extras such as school lunch at £5.00 per day (billed termly), and the possibility of additional charges for individual music or LAMDA lessons, depending on uptake.
Small-school trade-offs. The close-knit feel can suit many children, but the scale can limit the breadth of activities available at any one time; ask what is running this term for your child’s age group.
Outdoor learning is not optional in spirit. Forest School style sessions and residential-style experiences are described as a core part of the programme; children who dislike outdoor conditions may need careful preparation.
Assessment clarity. The latest ISI report highlighted that staff use of progress data was an area for development; parents who value detailed tracking should ask how progress is recorded and shared now.
Extras add up. Lunch, wraparound care, and optional specialist tuition can change the overall cost profile; request a tailored estimate based on your likely pattern of use.
This is a small independent nursery and prep where outdoor education is a defining feature, supported by a broad curriculum and a music programme with regular participation expectations. It is best suited to families who want a rural, activity-rich primary experience, with structured learning that frequently happens beyond the classroom. The main decision point is fit, particularly whether your child will thrive in a setting where outdoor learning and trips are part of the standard rhythm.
The most recent ISI inspection report, published in February 2024, confirmed that the school met required standards across key areas, including safeguarding.
For 2025 to 2026, published termly fees (including VAT) are £3,351 for Reception, £3,795 for Year 1, £3,956 for Year 2, and £4,815 for Years 3 to 6. Nursery fees should be checked directly with the school.
Yes. The school publishes a Breakfast Club starting at 7.45am, plus additional morning supervision and a junior after-school care option in the afternoon. Confirm availability and booking requirements for your child’s year group.
Outdoor Education is presented as a core strand, including Forest School style sessions, environmental learning, and age-staged trips and residential experiences. Music is also emphasised, with curriculum instruments such as recorder and ukulele and opportunities for choir and specialist tuition.
The admissions page lists open weeks running across February to June 2026, with booking through an enquiry form. Dates can change, so check the admissions page close to your preferred week.
Get in touch with the school directly
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Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
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