Independent School in Wokingham

A leading independent school in Wokingham for children aged 3 months to 11 years

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. At Waverley, we believe children thrive when they feel happy, confident, supported and valued.

Waverley Preparatory School & Day Nursery is a co-educational independent school in Wokingham, Berkshire, welcoming boys and girls from 3 months to 11 years. Located in Finchampstead, our Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School provide a continuous educational journey within a warm, nurturing and ambitious environment.

With small classes, single-form entry and a strong focus on individual needs, we ensure that every child is known and valued.

Why choose an independent school in Wokingham?

An independent education offers families the opportunity to choose a school based on its approach to teaching, pastoral care, curriculum, facilities and values, as well as its academic outcomes.

At Waverley, we believe the best education combines academic excellence with a happy and supportive school environment.

Our teachers know their pupils exceptionally well and understand their individual strengths, interests and areas for development. This enables us to provide appropriate challenge and support, helping every child to develop confidence and achieve their potential.

We want children to leave Waverley not only with excellent academic results, but also with the confidence, resilience, independence and curiosity to embrace their next stage of education.

Small classes and personalised education

Waverley is a single-form entry independent school, with one class per year group and an average class size of around 21 pupils.

Our small classes allow teachers to give pupils individual attention while maintaining a broad and engaging curriculum. Children are encouraged to participate, ask questions, challenge themselves and take responsibility for their learning.

From Nursery through to Year 6, our aim is to understand each child as an individual and provide an education that enables them to flourish.

Excellent academic results

Academic achievement is an important part of the Waverley experience.

Our 2026 Year 6 pupils achieved excellent results, with:

100% meeting the accepted standard in Maths, compared with 73% nationally

95% achieving the Expected Standard or Greater Depth in combined Reading, Writing and Maths, compared with 62% nationally

93% securing a place at their first-choice secondary school

97% achieving a selective-school pass

47% receiving at least one Senior School scholarship offer across academics, sport, music and the performing arts

Waverley is currently ranked 15th in the UK based on Year 6 SATs results and has been recognised as ‘Best in Berkshire’ for 14 consecutive years.

However, we believe academic success is about more than results. We want children to become enthusiastic, independent learners who are curious about the world around them and confident in their abilities.

A broad and balanced education

An independent school should offer children opportunities to discover their interests and develop talents beyond the classroom.

At Waverley, pupils enjoy a broad curriculum alongside opportunities in:

Sport and physical education

Music

Art

Drama and performing arts

Languages

Outdoor learning

Forest School

Clubs and activities

Educational trips and visits

Our pupils are encouraged to try new activities, discover their strengths and develop skills such as teamwork, creativity, perseverance and leadership.

We are particularly proud of our sporting achievements. In 2026, Waverley pupils became National Athletics Champions, winning gold in the headline 4 x 100m relay at the ISA National Athletics Championships.

A happy and nurturing school community

We believe that happy children make the best learners.

Waverley has a close-knit, family feel where children know and support one another and teachers know pupils across the school. Our nurturing environment gives children the confidence to make friends, try new things, challenge themselves and learn from their experiences.

The Waverley Way – We Are Kind. We Are Honest. We Do Our Best. – is at the heart of our school community.

We encourage every child to be kind, courageous and curious, while taking pride in their achievements and always striving to do their best.

Preparing children for their next school

An independent prep school should provide children with the academic foundations, confidence and independence they need for the next stage of their education.

At Waverley, we work closely with families to identify the secondary school that is right for each child. Pupils progress to a wide range of independent, grammar and state secondary schools.

Our experienced teachers prepare pupils for entrance examinations and interviews, including grammar school 11+ examinations and independent-school entrance assessments. We provide targeted support while ensuring that children remain confident and happy throughout the process.

From Nursery to Year 6

Waverley offers a complete educational journey from 3 months to 11 years, with Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School provision on one site.

This continuity allows children to grow within a familiar and supportive community while gradually developing their independence, confidence and skills.

For working parents, our wraparound care includes Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club, providing flexible care from 7.30am to 6.00pm, 51 weeks of the year.

Our Nursery was rated Outstanding in its 2024 inspection, while the Prep School achieved 100% compliance and ‘Top Marks’ in its most recent ISI inspection.

An independent school near Wokingham

Waverley is located in Finchampstead, Wokingham, and is within easy reach of families across Wokingham and surrounding areas including Arborfield, Crowthorne, Winnersh, Bracknell, Binfield, Eversley, Yateley and Shinfield.

We are also conveniently located for families living in the new communities around Holme Meadows and South Wokingham.

Is an independent school right for your child?

Every child and family is different, and choosing a school is a very personal decision.

When visiting an independent school, we recommend looking beyond academic results. Consider the atmosphere of the school, class sizes, teaching, pastoral care, extracurricular opportunities, senior-school destinations and, most importantly, whether your child feels happy and comfortable there.

At Waverley, we want every child to feel that they belong.

We want them to discover their strengths, develop their confidence, build lasting friendships and be encouraged to achieve their very best.

Discover Waverley

If you are looking for an independent school in Wokingham for your child, we would love you to visit us.

Our 1-to-1 school tours give prospective families the opportunity to meet our Head, see our school in action, meet our teachers and pupils, and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Waverley for yourself.

Could Waverley be the right school for your child? Come and find out.

Book a 1-to-1 Tour

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