WHAT / WHERE?

Kitebrook is a co-ed Prep school for ages 3 to 13, set in 20 picture-perfect acres in Moreton-in-Marsh. Recent years have seen big changes at the school, more than doubling in size from 120 to 340 pupils, although this won’t rise above 370, and classes are reassuringly small at around 12 to 13, with three-form entry in most years.

Already bathing in accolades (‘Great Country Prep’, The Week Independent Schools’ Guide and ‘Most Idyllic Independent School’ 2021 Private Education Awards), Kitebrook has a stellar track record, but it has not been putting its shiny school shoes up and twiddling its thumb, it’s a place looking towards some big and exciting changes ahead.

The school is keen to cement its place as a major player in the sector. Pitching itself above stiff competition in the Cotswolds is one of the main missions of the senior leadership team at Kitebrook.

The school has been been busy making improvements across the board. From starting the ISEB prep earlier each year, and inviting coveted secondary schools onsite for visits to build relationships, to whacking up some swanky new facilities – such as a new Dining Hall which opened in 2023.

Founded in 1959, Kitebrook offers an all-round education where children are allowed to develop at their own pace in a supportive environment. Nurturing children to develop growth mindsets and a real love of the outdoors are also core to the school.

A Christian school at its heart (expect Harvest Festivals and Nativities joyfully celebrated here), local students make up around 90% of the register with 10% international students from America, Russia, India and beyond, so it has a strong local feel, if that’s on your wishlist.

There’s a buzz around Kitebrook at the moment with waiting lists now for Nursery, Early Years and up to Year 1, so if you want to place best start planning early. Parents are definitely buying into the school in a big way.

FACILITIES

Impressive. Kitebrook offers a mash-up of old and new, with the grand main building (built in 1820) leading onto a spread of attractive modern classrooms. A new glass-fronted Dining Hall with comfy seating and new catering equipment which means healthy meals can be cooked onsite.

ARTS / MUSIC / DRAMA

There is loads to get stuck into at Kitebrook, from Stagecraft lessons to the Drama Pathway for potential bursary scholars, and the chance to do solo or group LAMDA lessons and exams (plus new Public Speaking and Debating LAMDA exams to help increase self confidence). All pupils get to be in one production every year and they are regularly pushed beyond the expectation for their age group to ready them for senior school.

The Music Department delivers a busy extra-curricular programme including the school orchestra and two choirs. There are peripatetic lessons on all orchestral instruments as well as singing, piano and classical guitar. In addition there are a range of highlights during the musical year. Pupils are encouraged to attend exciting concert visits outside school. Testament to the success here, pupils from Kitebrook regularly achieve music scholarships and awards to senior schools.

The Art department is a lovely bright and spacious, with stunning views and an inspiring feel, with teachers making a point of not just encouraging the gifted but making sure every child is engaged through Kitebrook’s individual sketchbook scheme. When I visited I saw Year 8 pupils busily making 3D mixed media silk paintings, with one pupil very articulately describing to me how they had made them.

SPORT

There is no dedicated sports hall here as such, which may put some off, but pupils are by no means disadvantaged. There is a very spacious main hall which doubles up as an exercise space, or the extensive grounds are used frequently.

Up to 15 sports are offered every year and all children play in fixtures every week from Year 3 upwards, plus there is golf, tennis, cross country and a strong equestrian team. Pupils go swimming locally at Moreton Fire College (all children from Reception to Year 6 swim once a week) and there’s a tennis coach on site all year round and the school even has its own sport – Kiteball!

Add to this a new Sports Pavillion which will provide much bigger changing facilities and viewing area. Every pupil gets the chance to represent the school in matches, the feeling here is inclusive rather than super-competitive, but there are also special one-to-one sports clinics for the particularly gifted.

Kitebrook makes the most of its stunning site, and much sport is held outside, running around in the fresh air. New for 2025, the school has just had planning permission granted for a new Astroturf.

ACADEMICS

Kitebrook boasts a 100% success rate in securing pupils their first choice of 13+ senior schools. Cheltenham Ladies College, Stowe, Downe House, Kingham Hill, and Tudor Hall are all perennial favourites.

There is a subject-based curriculum, but the school has adopted a more skills-based Pre-Senior Baccalaureate in Years 7 and 8. The curriculum also includes study skills, PSHEE, French and Latin. There are specialist teachers for sport, music, languages, art, DT and computing throughout, and for most subjects from Year 5.

This is definitely not an austere place to learn, kids seem to have a lot of fun in lessons, I saw pictures of some great role play days lining the corridors, including a WW2 immersive day with everyone dressed up as evacuees in a mocked up air raid shelter in the grounds. There are also polar expedition and medieval days, to name but a few.

LITTLIES

I particularly loved the location of The Cottage – the home of Nursery, Pre School and Reception – located right in the middle of the school it kind of feels ‘hugged’ by the rest of the school. Warm, welcoming and very colourful, older children also pop in regularly for playdates or can be seen chatting over the charming picket fence at breaks.

There aren’t too many schools with a nursery provision in the immediate area, so this will be a real plus for some parents. There were two very creative role play areas being used when I visited, an International Space Station and a Doctors’ Surgery, and it has its own garden which allows for free flow between indoor and outdoor learning. Pupils here take part in weekly Outdoor Education sessions where they gem up on life skills and the natural environment.

Fans of an American-style drop off will love it here too, parents pull up alongside the gates where a member of staff helps get the kids and kit out and the children toddle off to their classroom.

PASTORAL CARE

Wellbeing is taken seriously here, with pastoral tutor groups running vertically from Year 5-8.

BOARDING

There is both full and flexible boarding, which is from Monday to Thursday, throughout the term, and it begins from Year 4. The spacious boarding house is organised into dorms and contain brightly decorated bedrooms which have individual study pods and comfy-looking beds. There are three common rooms – decorated with mantras such as ‘Never Give Up’ and ‘Follow Your Heart’ – and if an occasional boarder prefers the same bed each time to ensure continuity, they’ll get it!

The boarding staff live onsite full-time and around 50% of the Upper School board at least occasionally. The Boarding House has its own Housemaster in Quinton Tait who lives in with this wife and two dogs, bringing with him 20 years of housemaster experience. There is no Saturday school at Kitebrook either, as the school puts a high value on value family time for both pupils and staff.

THE HEAD

head teacher of kitebrook school smiling

Kitebrook Preparatory School entered a new chapter in September 2025, when interim Head, Ms Cook took the reins. She brings with her a wealth of senior experience, including as a former Head of Chandlings Prep in Oxford, so you won’t need to worry, the school is in a steady and capable pair of hands.

Her focus remains on cultivating an environment where every child is supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Steering the ship through this transitional phase, Cook describes herself as looking forward to working closely with staff, the families, and pupils to maintain Kitebrook’s reputation.

WHAT ELSE?

Kids get an authentic ‘wellies and waterproofs’ education here, with a strong outdoor learning programme for all year groups, from Forest School in Lower School to outdoor lessons and ‘Growth Mindset’ challenges for Upper School. There are also trips for all year groups, and residentials for the senior pupils. A full-immersion term at the Château de Sauveterre in Toulouse for Year 7 is a highlight.

Other trips include Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall, Italy, Iceland, Swanage, Lulworth Cove, Cadbury World and places of worship across all faiths. Year 5 just recently had the chance to visit Bletchley Park as part of a Computing History and Maths trip and see and got to use the actual Enigma machine which sounded very cool.

QUIRKS

Who doesn’t love an old fashioned tuck shop? The Kitebrook Tuck Shop has recently opened in the courtyard – for both children and parents after school – and money goes to charitable causes. But there’s a twist! The only currency accepted is gold coins that the pupils earn from good behaviour or points awarded. Each one is worth 25p. Run by the pupils, it sounds like it is very popular.

The school has also reintroduced pig sties, chicken coops and a little mini farm that the children tend to. Environmentalism is championed here too, with every child who arrives receiving a seed which gets planted, when they leave they have the option to take the grown tree with them, or donate it back to the ‘Leavers Wood’, keenly putting its money where its mouth is in terms of caring about the planet.

WRAPAROUND CARE

A good level of help for busy parents, with breakfast club starting from 8am and late stay options running until 6.15pm. In the Nursery children can be dropped off at 8.30am and picked up at 4pm.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Hard to find anything negative since the school size increased. The general opinion seems to be it hits the sweet spot of allowing children to be children, but also making sure they deliver on academics. Parents praise staff who are ‘brimming with energy’ and the idyllic location and good facilities crop up time and again for praise.

FEES

Early Years Fees Nursery fees start at £3,125 for 5 full days, Reception fees are £4,350 and Year 7 and 8 fees are £6,250.

Find a full list of fees here.

TECH

Good provision, although Smith concedes there is still some ‘room for improvement’ in some lessons. Computing lessons are taught by a specialist teacher and all classes have access to Chromebooks for cross-curricular use. Touch screen computing devices, programmable toys, the use of digital cameras and recordable microphones are just some of the tools available from Pre-School right through to Year 8.

There is a ‘no mobile phones policy’ for pupils, staff and parents.

ISI REPORT

Find it here.

TRANSPORT

You’ll need your own wheels. There are no school run bus routes but this is because the demand isn’t there. Most parents come from within a 40 minute radius so many tend to car share if necessary.

MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR:

The best of both worlds, wholesome traditions and values accessorised with dynamic, modern ideas. Anyone seeking an outdoorsy school, without being too horsey, if you get our drift – outdoor education starts from preschool and in all weathers. Children are really nurtured at this caring school. Anyone wanting to equip their child with a growth mindset, it’s the rural dream setting but with London-standard outcomes.

NOT FOR:

Anyone looking for more of a cotton-wool experience, Kitebrook believes in bringing children out of themselves by immersing them in fun and challenging experiences. There’s no automatic follow-on to a senior school here, but the upside is the school is top notch at finding a perfect fit for each child.

Dare to disagree?

Don’t just take our word for it. Find out more at Kitebrook Preparatory School or email enquiries@kitebrookpst.org for a private tour.

Kitebrook Preparatory School, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0RP

Kitebrook Preparatory School, Moreton-in-Marsh

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