Mergers between Prep and Senior Schools

Since 2019, we have seen more prep schools announcing their merger with renowned senior schools: Abberly Hall merged with Malvern College in 2019; Bilton Grange with Rugby School in January 2020, Foremarke School with Repton School in September 2020 and Sherborne Prep joined up with Sherborne Schools Group in April 2021. During the pandemic, a few more partnerships have surfaced. From September 2021, Edgeborough School has joined Charterhouse, Knighton House merged with Bryanston School, and The New Beacon Preparatory School with Tonbridge School.

It is undeniable that besides the shared ethos and commitment to high quality teaching and learning, mergers also have a financial angle. Many independent schools have been impacted financially last year due to frozen fees, discounted fees, canceled venue bookings and lettings, and the reduction in numbers when it comes to their international boarders. The merger provides economies of scale and helps to keep the fees ‘affordable’ for existing and prospective pupils.

The trend could be seen as positive news for international pupils, as adjusting to the culture and expectations of a new school can take a year or more. Therefore, international pupils who have had one or two years at the prep section can hit the ground running and make a smoother transition to senior school.  They can therefore make the most of the wide array of opportunities on offer from Year 9 –sports, boarding, academics and interaction with peers and school staff. For international parents who send their children to British boarding schools, a joined-up prep and senior school provides continuity of learning and saves the hassle of searching for senior schools and risking not getting a place in first-choice schools.  We can reasonably expect that prep schools that have entered into a partnership with coveted senior schools will see a substantial increase in the level of interest on the international recruitment front. We also encourage education consultants to keep an eye on the news, update school information in your promotional material and review the working framework you have with the school if necessary.