WHAT? WHERE?

Salisbury Cathedral School is impossible to miss, thanks to its first-rate location in the shadow of the glorious cathedral. Considering the city-centre setting, the grounds of this historic co-ed day and boarding prep school are surprisingly spacious (a whopping 27 acres), and the buildings themselves, set down a long, leafy driveway, are a charming hodge-podge of centuries-old Grade-I listed buildings and 60s modernism.

The school itself dates back to 1091, when it was founded by St Osmund, and moved to its current location, the Bishop’s Palace, (aka the second most important historic building in Salisbury, after the Cathedral) in 1947. These days, it’s home to 220 pupils, roughly split 50/50 between girls and boys, and most joining from within a 45-minute drive of the city (although the 45 or so boarders are from all over the UK and overseas).

Once inside the Palace, you can practically feel the history seeping from each brick – in particular the 18th century Big School Room (which used to be the Bishop’s drawing room), with its rows of chorister robes hung up outside in the hallway, and the arched ceilings of the Undercroft (above), which is older than the Cathedral itself and is where the pupils eat meals. It’s also unmistakably anchored in Christian morals – the day I visit, members of staff are wearing crosses on their foreheads after an Ash Wednesday service. Friday assemblies are held in the Cathedral, and there are regular services there, though the school welcomes families or all religions.

FACILITIES – SPORTS

Sports facilities here are more than ample: there are Astro turfs, cricket and rugby pitches (all surrounded by an ancient wall that it’s an unofficial rite of passage for pupils to walk along) for the four sessions of sport a week that the Prep school take part in. There’s also a recently-refurbished heated outdoor pool where swimming lessons (and summer pool parties for the boarders) are held, and an indoor gymnasium for when the weather isn’t quite so kind.

Although fixtures are held twice-weekly from Year 3 up, the general attitude is all about participation and enjoyment – demonstrated neatly by Choice Friday, introduced during the rocky Covid period, in which pupils get to choose which sports they’ll play that day. The roster of teachers is distinctly impressive, with the Head of Sport a former England volleyballer and a former England women’s rugby player on staff. Alumni include England hockey players, England athletics competitors and members of the Bath Rugby squad, and sports scholarships to Monkton Combe, Bede’s, Bryanston, Canford, Dauntsey’s, Embley, Godolphin and Warminster have been awarded to pupils in the last three years.

When it comes to extra-curricular clubs, there’s plenty to choose from here. Athletics, cricket, cross country, football, rugby, golf, hockey, netball, table tennis and volleyball are all on offer for free, with archery, dance, fencing, horse-riding, karate, sailing and swimming also available at a slight fee.

FACILTIES – CREATIVE ARTS

There’s a fully equipped art room with a kiln for pottery, and a DT studio that’s practically as busy outside of lesson times as it is in, with pupils working on personal projects or adding finishing touches to school work.

Music is unquestionably the School’s biggest calling card, with performance and practice permeating the curriculum. Of course, the Salisbury Cathedral Choir is impossible to ignore, but the School takes great measures to ensure that its two Cathedral choirs (they were the first to introduce an all-girls’ Cathedral choir back in the Nineties) – don’t miss out on any of the fun of school.

In addition, there are five School choirs and eight Chamber ensembles, as well as a concert band, a junior brass band, a full orchestra, a jazz band, and a Ceildih band (a Muddy school review first!). As you might expect, music lessons are popular, with around 90 per cent of pupils learning an instrument – that’s one of the highest levels I’ve come across in a prep school.

Forty five per cent learn two instruments and some even learn three, with options including unusual picks such as accordion, harp, and bassoon – there are around 20 visiting music teachers in all. As well as the big-ticket concerts such as the Spring performance in the Cathedral and the school’s summer show, Picnic in the Park, there are around 25 informal performances taking place throughout the year.

ACADEMICS

The average class size here is 14, which leads to excellent one-on-one time with pupils. On average, 80% of the Year 8 pupils gain scholarships to their first choice secondary school, with Music scholarships taking the lead. However, there are also good numbers of Academic, STEM, DT, and Art scholarships annually, and one-fifth of this year’s Year 8s gained Sports scholarships, proving the School is far from a one-trick pony. Destination schools this year included Bryanston, Claremont Senior School, Embley, Lancing College, Leehurst Swan School, Sherborne, Warminster, Wells Cathedral School and Winchester College.

LITTLIES

Nursery intake starts at 3, and children can attend full or part-time, with a full day clocking in from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Classrooms are bright and airy, which is ideal for the mix of play and formal education that the Nursery provides, and this summer, there are plans to create more outdoor space with direct access from classrooms, with a large canopy to protect from the sun.

More structured lessons take place in the morning, with more play-based learning in the afternoons. Specialist teachers are brought in for both Nursery and Pre-Prep to teach IT, French and music, with Pre-Prep also learning PE and cookery. Outdoor learning takes place once a week, and teachers from the Prep often pop in so that younger ones can get familiar with them – nearly all children go on to join Prep, so it’s a smooth transition.

PASTORAL

It’s clear that pupils’ wellbeing is well taken care of, with Head of Learning Support Sarah Woodhouse taking ownership of the School’s ELSA programme alongside ELSA practitioner Mrs Beech. One-to-one sessions are provided for pupils needing emotional or academic support, and there’s a six-week programme of support, introduced during Covid, offered for those needing extra attention (often such pupils have been through emotional upheavals such as bereavement, and class teachers are taught to keep a close eye on pupils who could benefit). There’s also a Wellbeing club every Thursday, which teaches mindfulness, yoga and meditation, all in a purpose-built room with comfy sofas, calm decoration and views of the grounds.

BOARDING

There are around 45 boarders, 50/50 girls to boys, in a nearby boarding house that’s a short walk past the Cathedral and in a charmingly maze-like, homey building. Boarders are overseen by Head of Boarders Bee Bedford, who embraces her ‘mum’ role with aplomb – including hand-making jazzy new curtains, cushion covers and notice boards to liven up the rooms over lockdown.

Around 90 per cent of boarders choose to stay over weekends, particularly to take part in activities such as trampolining, ice skating, cinema trips and water park visits. There’s a large, sunny garden – home to bonfire nights and BoarderFest, a festival party in the summer – and there’s a separate common room for older children to allow them some privacy and to make snacks and drinks in the attached kitchen. In the summer, the boarders are permitted to use the school facilities to play cricket, tennis and swim on warm evenings and Sunday afternoons. It’s obvious that the ‘family’ feel isn’t put on here – it truly is a home from home.

HEAD TEACHER

‘Dedicated’ doesn’t really cover Head Clive Marriott – having taken up his Headship in 2013, following a thirty-year career of teaching and leading Choir Schools, he now operates a completely open-door policy from his on-site residence (you can literally see into his home from reception). Inside there are boxes of toys for children to play with while he chats with parents, and when I arrive, the furniture has been moved following a drinks gathering with pupils’ families the night before. His passion for the School is apparent, and he has personal chats with practically every pupil we see on the tour.

QUIRKS

The 27 acres of grounds have a real Swallows and Amazons feel to them, helped in part by the on-site lake complete with boat and plenty of greenery for den-building. There are no neat rows of carefully curated beds here, although the children recently helped plant to 2,500 bulbs around the gardens (complete with homemade signs reminding people to watch where they tread). There’s also a kitchen garden in the works, helped along by green-fingered parents.

WRAP-AROUND CARE

Having boarders on site means that wrap-around care is built into the School day. By prior arrangement, day pupils can be dropped off from 7.30am for breakfast club with the boarders, as well as joining boarders’ supper and activities in the evening if they’re taking part in after school clubs (be aware that this may cost you extra, but it’s a small price to pay for such excellent flexibility for working families).

For Pre-Prep, wrap-around care is available courtesy of the Little Spires after-school club, which runs until 5.30pm and includes a substantial snack to stop little tummies from rumbling; there’s also a breakfast club from 7.30am.

ISI REPORT

Inspectors visited the school last year, and the report can be read here.

FEES

Prices are comparable for the area, and very reasonable for a School of this calibre.

Prep Day Fee	(Years 4-8)	£6,418 per term
Transition Fee	(Year 3 only)	£5,341 per term
Pre-Prep Fee	(Reception, Years 1 & 2)	£3,563 per term
Boarding Supplement	(5 or more nights)	£3,013 per term
Boarding Supplement	(Overseas Pupils)	£3,395 per term

WORD ON THE GROUND

The community spirit is strong here, helped along by the fact that entire families often attend the School. Parents are encouraged to attend performances and assemblies wherever possible (and there are plenty to attend), and there are good links to the impressive alumni. It’s obvious that as well as the School’s clear musical, sporting and academic strengths, parents love the family ethos, moral compass and pastoral care on offer here.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Lovers of music, clearly. However, don’t discount SCS if your child isn’t a pitch-perfect mini-Mozart – the School has an inclusive feel that wil appeal to music fans of all ages and levels. It’s also a great option for parents who really want to get stuck in to School life, or who want to take advantage of the brilliant boarding on-site (particularly families of HM Forces).

Not for: Those wanting constant updates and changes to buildings and tech. The School does a great job at making sure the Sciences and Tech are up to snuff, but the unique historical location brings a unique set of challenges for planning and development.

Dare to disagree?! Go and take a look for yourself. The next Open Mornings are on 3 and 4 February 2024 at 10.00am, or visits can be booked with Headmaster Clive Marriott here. Feel free to call the Registrar with enquiries on 01722 555315.

Salisbury Cathedral School, 1 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EQ. Tel: 01722 555300

Salisbury Cathedral School, Salisbury

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