Waverley Independent Private Prep (Primary) School - Wokingham, Berkshire

Welcome to Waverley Preparatory School and Day Nursery

Ranked 'Best in Berkshire' and 15th in the UK. Waverley is Berkshire's leading independent Prep and Pre-Prep School, providing a co-educational private education for children aged 3 months to 11 years. Waverley offers exceptional academic achievement and a pathway to an impressive range of renowned Senior Schools in a warm, nurturing environment. With small class sizes and single form entry (one class per year group), Waverley offers a truly personalised education where every child is known and valued.

Inspected as 'Double Excellent' in our most recent graded inspection (2022), Waverley also achieved 100% compliance in its latest 2024 inspection. Our Nursery is also inspected as 'Outstanding', reflecting our commitment to excellence from the very earliest years. Read 'Why Choose Waverley - 10 Quick Facts' here.

Academic outcomes are outstanding. Of our most recent Year 6 graduates, 78% achieved the highest grade of 'Greater Depth' in reading, writing and maths SATS papers (compared to the national average of 8%). Our Prep School is ranked 'Best in Berkshire' being the only school to have appeared in the Times Top 100 Prep Schools consistently for 13 consecutive years and 15th in the UK based on our Year 6 SATS results. Read more here.

Celebrating Pupil Achievements

Congratulations to

Kiyaan

in Reception

FOR WINNING GOLD IN JUDO

Kiyaan's Judo Success

A huge well done to Kiyaan for winning the gold medal in his weight category at the Neon Judokwai Competition 2025. Your hard work, dedication and focus truly paid off and we are all so proud of your achievement!

Well done, Kiyaan!

Exceptional pass rate for selective grammar and independent senior schools. Pupils progress to an impressive range of secondary schools with Waverley's priority always being that each child secures a place at the right school for them. In 2025, 100% of our pupils secured places at their first-choice senior school (independent, grammar and state), with an outstanding 92% pass rate for selective schools. Each year, many pupils receive multiple secondary school offers with some also achieving scholarships in academics, the Arts, sports and music (read more here).

A happy, nurturing, family-feel school with a broad, rich curriculum. Our results reflect our distinctive approach to education: a thoughtful blend of modern and traditional teaching methods, small class sizes, single-form entry and a nurturing, pastorally-rich environment. We understand that children achieve their best when they feel happy, supported, secure and confident. We encourage every child to embrace opportunities, challenge themselves and strive for excellence in all that they do.

Full wrap-around care, 51 weeks a year. The school and Nursery places great emphasis on outdoor learning, sports and wellbeing. We offer care for all our pupils 51 weeks a year, 5 days a week, 7.30am-6pm via our Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club, all managed by our own in-house Waverley Clubs Team.

Easy Steps to Secure Your School Place

If you are interested in your child attending Waverley Prep School, there are 3 simple steps.
1. Apply (No fee).
Visit our our Admissions portal here and complete an Application Form or email our Admissions Team here.

2. Join us for a 1-2-1 Tour.
Upon receipt of an Application Form, if we have a place available, we invite parents to a 1-2-1 tour.

3. Meet our Head.
Following a tour, if prospective parents would like to move forwards with their child’s application, the family will be invited to meet our Head on a mutually convenient day.

4. Taster Day
Prospective pupils are invited to spend a Taster Day with us to ensure they will feel happy and settled they can flourish in our school.

5. Accept an Offer. Our Admissions Committee considers all applications and allocates our places. We normally have a 10-14 window to accept a school place.

APPLY FOR A PLACE
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‘Quietly brilliant...’
‘A superior all-round option...’
‘Outstanding academic results...’

Waverley in Numbers

Our school ranking in the UK (by Dept. for Education in 2024 based on our Year 6 SATS results from 2023)
Top marks in our latest ISI inspection (Feb 2024) and inspected as 'Double Excellent' in our last graded inspection (2022)
Of our Year 6 leavers in 2025 achieved a place at their 1st choice secondary school (at a range of nationally and regionally renowned independent, grammar and state schools)
Pass rate for selective Senior Schools (2025 Year 6 pupils)
Ranked 'Best in Berkshire' having been in the Top 100 schools consistently for 13 years (based on our SATS results of Year 6)
Pass rate for grammar schools (11+ exam)

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School Rankings Activities & Clubs

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2025 yr6 leavers - results & destinations

Our SATS Results vs National Average 2025

Our SATS results ('Achieved' and 'Greater Depth' combined results). Source: Dept. for Education

Our SATS Results vs National Average 2025

Our SATS results ('Achieved' and 'Greater Depth' combined results). Source: Dept. for Education

(Waverley is a non-selective school and therefore our results do vary year by year).

Parents say about The pre-prep School

Year 4 Parent

We just wish we'd found Waverley earlier...

Waverley is a lovely, nurturing school that helped our daughter regain her confidence and enjoy school again. Would highly recommend .

Parents say about The Prep school

Year 6 Mum

We joined halfway through school but our son felt like he had always been there.

Waverley has a wonderfully caring ethos and values. This secure platform allowed our son to fully focus on his studies in what is an unapologetically faster paced Year 5 and 6.

Parents say about The pre-prep School

Year 2 Parent

Our son loves the school...

We call our son 'Mr Waverley' because he loves the school so much!

Parents say about The Prep school

Year 6 Mum

Waverley is a fantastic school!

All three of our children have been supported and encouraged to achieve in all areas of the school community which has stayed with them to guide them into secondary school. We are incredibly grateful and privileged that Waverley has, and continues to be, part of our lives for over 10 years. Thank you.

isi inspectors say about The School (2024)

Pupils' social /economic education & contribution to society

Leaders support pupils' preparation for next steps through an engaging approach to target setting and preparation for senior school.

A programme of visiting speakers helps pupils to understand the wider world. For example, police officers speak to Year 6 about how to keep safe in the community and online.

isi inspectors say about The school (2024)

Leadership and management, and governance

The Proprietor and Board of Governors provide governance and are well informed about the school's work and performance through regular reports, school visits and committee and Board meetings with senior leaders.

Governors regularly review the content and implementation of policies to ensure the school operates in line with current legislation.

isi inspectors say about The School (2024)

Pupils' physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing

Leaders ensure that pupils respect the diversity of the pupil body and share in their peers' celebrations of other cultures.

The 'Waverley Way' encapsulates the values of the school and is embedded in pupils' attitudes.

isi inspectors say about The school (2024)

Quality of education, training and recreation

Pupils develop high levels of self-understanding and self-awareness of their learning through the encouraging and supportive ethos in the school.

The warm and trusting relationships between pupils and their teachers support pupils to be self-motivated and interested in their work. As a result, pupils' self-esteem develops increasingly as they make progress.