About The Prep School

Girls and Boys (Age 3-11)

Bow, Durham School is the Preparatory School for Durham School and caters for day girls and day boys from the age of 3 through to 11, when it is hoped that pupils will move on to the Senior School. Durham School now offers a continuous education for girls and boys from 3 to 18.

Bow is situated in its own beautiful grounds within convenient walking distance of the Senior School and the city centre and overlooks the World Heritage site of Durham Cathedral.

It consists of three departments – The Badger Nursery (3-4), The Pre-preparatory Department (4-7) and the Preparatory Department (7-11) - which work closely together to provide a high quality all-round education for girls and boys up to the age of 11. With before and after school care, it offers great flexibility for today’s busy families.

Bow was founded in 1885 as an independent day school for boys aged 3 to 13 and moved to its present site in 1888. In 1976 the school was incorporated into the Durham School Foundation and formally became the Preparatory School for Durham School. In September 2006 we welcomed girls for the first time and our Years 7 and 8 moved up to the senior school. Effectively, this completed Bow’s transition to becoming the Preparatory Department of Durham School and means that we now cater for girls and boys from 3 through to 11.

Bow has excellent specialist classrooms, including a well-equipped science laboratory and computer room.

The Preparatory School has sporting and cultural links with Scuola Media Leonardo da Vinci in Rome.

ISI Report 2011

Overall Main Findings

"The pupils are well educated from the EYFS to Year 6 and the good quality of their achievements successfully fulfils the school's aim to develop each individual.

""Pupils are supported by a well balanced curriculum which provides a wide range of opportunities. Teachers have excellent subject knowledge and pupils benefit from subject specialist teaching, and very good classroom control.

""Pupils' personal development is good, supported by excellent pastoral care and welfare arrangements, together with effective procedures for safeguarding health and safety. They are prepared thoroughly for the next stage of their education. "
(Independent Schools’ Inspectorate 2011)

A full copy of this inspection report is available on request from the school office.

next event

U10A v Choristers
Monday, 06 February 2012

More forthcoming events.

recent news

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photo gallery

See more photos of the prep school in the photo gallery.

Testimonials

"‘We have been very pleased with the progress our child has made socially, emotionally and academically. We feel that the main strength, from a new parents’ point of view, is the experience of the staff and reassurance that this provides. Our children are the most important things in our lives and we know that they are supported and well cared for at The Badger Nursery. Thank you very much’ ."
The Holt Family