March 29, 2019

The life lessons children learn taking part in a school drama production

March 29, 2019/ sarah monaghan

Sompting Abbotts places a strong emphasis on the performing arts. In different ways, we seek to boost pupils’ confidence and communication skills because we know these will be invaluable to their lives ahead. Self-confidence is gained from each tiny success, which leads to more success. Learning to perform and speak in public are essential skills that will be transferable to the children’s adult lives.

June 07, 2018

How the best preparatory schools are honing children's 'sharp skills' for the workplace ahead

June 07, 2018/ sarah monaghan

Many jobs our children will be applying for haven’t yet been invented. But certain skills will be key to help them succeed in the new professional landscape. It’s abilities such as leadership, collaboration, problem solving, creativity and analytical thinking that they'll need to cope with technological innovation such as artificial intelligence, robotics and more. We talked to Mark Brotherton, Director of Education with the IAPS, to ask how prep schools can best prepare pupils to thrive in the workplace ahead.

May 11, 2018

Should I send my child to a prep school? Here’s some good advice

May 11, 2018/ sarah monaghan

Should you send your child to a prep school? Is prep school the best way to invest in your child’s future? Or should you save your money for senior school? Or even just for the sixth-form years? It’s a fair question. Here's some good advice if you're mulling it over …

April 18, 2018

What exactly is a prep school? (And the answers to 10 more questions about preparatory schools)

April 18, 2018/ sarah monaghan

What is a 'prep' school in the UK? ‘Prep’ or preparatory schools are UK private schools that are the equivalent to the primary and middle schools of the state education sector. Most cater for children aged two to 13 years. Prep schools are independent so do not have to follow the National Curriculum although many use it as a starting point but go beyond it.

January 29, 2018

What's the difference between a feeder and non-feeder school in the independent school sector?

January 29, 2018/ sarah monaghan

What's the difference between a feeder and non-feeder school in the independent schools sector? And how do you choose the right school for your child when not all children have the same needs, interests and abilities? Headmaster Stuart Douch explains Sompting Abbotts is a non-feeder school because he believes no single school will suit all children equally.

August 03, 2017

Private school: I owe it to my daughter

August 03, 2017/ sarah monaghan

Why I chose private school for my daughter. Simone Waplington talks about why she decided to 'go private' and opted for Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School, a Worthing independent school. We’re not wealthy, and we’re both state educated, but my husband and I chose to send our daughter to a private school. In this blog post, I explain why.

Sompting Abbotts named finalist in Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Environmental Achievement Award

Following our earlier announcement in July of the shortlisted entries for the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards, we're delighted Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement category.

Conkers and golden moments: an autumnal tradition at Sompting Abbotts

What child doesn’t love to collect handfuls of glossy brown conkers? At Sompting Abbotts, they don't just fill their pockets — even socks become makeshift pouches. And so, at this time of the year, we send the children out into our school grounds to look for shiny conkers (not that they need any persuading).

New Beginnings at Sompting Abbotts: Introducing Our New Headmaster

Sompting Abbotts warmly welcomes Mr Chris Gunn as Headmaster, taking the mantle from Mr Stuart Douch who served from 2013-2023. We're grateful that Mr Douch will continue to enrich our community as Head of English and History. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his excellent past leadership.

Our Environmental Ethos: Outdoor Classrooms and Woodland Coronations

At Sompting Abbotts, we adopt a school-wide ethos that embodies our commitment to the environment. Its principles – 'Embrace Nature; Embrace Learning; Embrace Childhood' – are threaded through our teaching, influencing every child's journey from Pre-Prep to Upper Prep. Our 30-acre grounds and woodland in the South Downs National Park are at its roots.

Sompting Abbotts launches annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance

Sompting Abbotts’ annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance saw every child from Years 3 - 8 learn and recite a poem by heart! The best performances were chosen at a special competition in front of an audience of their peers and their parents. It was judged by an external expert adjudicator.

Lab detectives: owl pellet dissection and analysis

Pupils have been working as dissection detectives in the science lab at Sompting Abbotts Prep School. They have been investigating Barn Owl pellets found in the school grounds.