Recent results at Thorpe Hall School show the effect of their transformed Prep provision

June 30, 2026

The Prep School at Thorpe Hall School has been on a transformative journey over the last few years. The focus on raising standards has been applied across all year groups, the school has launched a series of innovative new provisions at various age groups since 2022.

Headteacher Mr Stephen Duckitt says

“our recent results, from Reception right through to our 11+ scores, clearly show the positive effect on attainment that these initiatives are yielding for our pupils”.

An outstanding academic start in Reception

Many of Thorpe Hall’s Reception children join from the school’s own Nursery, which claims to provide an enhanced curriculum that gives children a “huge head start” for their formal education.

The school’s small class sizes and dedicated EYFS specialists also help ensure every child masters their foundational stages. Children who show advanced learning skills are able to work with cohorts in older years to provide the challenge needed to bring out their best. 

Initiatives like the Young Talent Pathways provision, offered to all Thorpe Hall School pupils in Reception to Year 2, are designed to identify every child’s unique aptitudes, and nurture and celebrate their interests wherever they shine. This increases engagement and motivation for school from the offset and builds confidence that carries through to all areas of their future learning.

Consistently out-performing national averages

Attainment levels in all years of Thorpe Hall Prep School have increased substantially across the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science.

By way of example, the school’s current Year 5 cohort is now outperforming national averages, based on nationally standardised progress test scores (PT scores), by an average of +13.8%

Their current Year 6 is achieving scores on average 9.27% higher than the national average across the core subjects.

Significant areas of success in these year groups include: 

THS YEAR 5 compared to national average:

21% more correct answers in Reading comprehension : simple inference questions

Fluency in conceptual understanding in Mathematics: 22% more correct answers 20% more correct answers in Physics tests

THIS YEAR 6 compared to national average:

Reading comprehension: retrieval scores were 28% higher than national average 28% more correct answers in Reading comprehension : complex inference questions In Reading comprehension : non-narrative tests, Thorpe Hall pupils gave 23% more correct answers

Fluency in conceptual understanding in Mathematics scored 22% more correct answers

22% more correct answers in Mathematical problem solving

Amazing 11+ results - 2 years running

Earlier this academic year, Thorpe Hall’s 11+ candidates once again scored an average of over 330, far in excess of the entry requirements to local grammar schools

This is the second year running that the school’s Year 6 pupils have achieved such high performing results

Due to recent demand for spaces and growth, the school now has 3 forms in year 6. 50% of their pupils progress to local grammars, or into Thorpe Hall's Senior School's own grammar stream, Grammar Plus

Children in Thorpe Hall School's Prep Plus cohort (for academic high achievers) benefit from free 11+ tutoring and coaching as part of the school’s fast-track grammar programme. Says Mr Duckitt, “This early preparation gives our pupils the best possible chance of success at 11+ but also in their chosen Senior school setting. In fact, our Prep Plus pupils are now working 1-3 years ahead of national expectations for their age groups."

As a through-school, Thorpe Hall references the advantage of having access to subject specialist teaching and resources from their senior school to deliver advanced teaching to high-performing Prep pupils, and says this is a key aspect in why their students thrive.  Thorpe Hall's Senior School is soaring too!

Thorpe Hall School is now the BEST PERFORMING non-selective school at GCSE in South Essex, too.

Thorpe Hall School broke into the top five earlier this year with 87.9% of students achieving a standard grade 4-9 pass in English and maths. 

The highly selective Southend-based grammar schools took the top four places, so this puts Thorpe Hall School at the top of the leader board for non-selective schools. Local families are encouraged to enquire early.

While admissions are accepted into any year group up until Year 9, places at Thorpe Hall School are already limited in some years, and demand has never been higher. The school is now running a waiting list for Senior School places. Families who are interested in exploring Thorpe Hall are encouraged to enquire as early as possible.

To book an open morning for next term, or request a private tour, contact the admissions team by calling 01702 582340 or by emailing admissions@thorpehallschool.co.uk