Figure 1.--Prep schools vary quite substantially in size. This was quite a small boarding prep school situated in a charming mannor house. Other schools, especially the day schools can be quite a bit larger.
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Figure 1.--Prep schools vary quite substantially in size. This was quite a small boarding prep school situated in a charming mannor house. Other schools, especially the day schools can be quite a bit larger. |
British prep schools vary greatly in size from a few private establishments caring for only 15-20 children to large institutions responsible for as many as 800 children. Some of the smaller schools are choir schools, but these schools are often associated with a senior college, church, and university which provide various forms of support. The average prepschool now probably has between 100 and 200 students, including the increasingly obligatory pre-prep departments. Many schools have puposely limited their size on purpose, This is based on the belief that expanding the size of the schools makes it difficult for the staff to know and work with each child and maintain the family atmposphere that is such a key factor of the modern prep school. The size of a school offers a variety of advantages and disadvantages. These advantages and disadvantages are not automatic, but may be more likely at the schools of different sizes. The sense of 'belonging' in a small community is quite apparent at most schools. The boys know each other well and are aware that they are well-known to every member of the staff. The economic realities of modern Britain make it increasingly difficult to operate extremely small schools. Small schools are unable to offer a full range of qualified staff members. Some Headmasters, however, are concerned about expanding their schools significantly beyond the 150 student range. To do so means that the headmaster and staff find it more difficult to get to know each child and give him the individual attention that is the reason that many parents have chose private education in the first place.
Traditionally a prep school was a small school often well less than 100 pupils located in a rural area. The costs of running a prep school were at the time limited. Salaries were low and the pupils and parents were not very demanding about the facilities and amenities provided. Thus schools could be economically at limited costs. This made relatively small schools economically viable.
British prep schools vary greatly in size from a few private establishments caring for only 15-20 children to large institutions responsible for as many as 800 children. Some of the smaller schools are choir schools, but these schools are often associated with a senior college, church, and university which provide various forms of support. The average prepschool now probably has between 100 and 200 students, including the increasingly obligatory pre-prep departments. Several small schools operate with only about 70-80 children, a few with even less. Many of these smaller schools are struggling in that the economics of operating a school are increasingly difficult once the school drops below 100 prpils. Some of the larger schools such as Clifton College in Avon and Hill House in London may have as many as 400-500 children and a few are even larger. The largest is the Dragon School in Oxfordshire with about 800 boys.
Many schools have puposely limited their size on purpose, This is based on the belief that expanding the size of the schools makes it difficult for the staff to know and work with each child and maintain the family atmposphere that is such a key factor of the modern prep school. Yarlet Hall, for example, stricly limited the number of boys to 125. Successful schools like Yarlet have waiting lists, but still seek to limit the number of boys. At other schools the small size is more a matter of inability to find prospective pupils. Here more often than not location is a critical factor.
The size of a school offers a variety of advantages and disadvantages. These advantages and disadvantages are not automatic, but may be more likely at the schools of different sizes. One of the great advantage of prep schools is the individual attemtin afforded the children. And this of course can best be achieved in a relatively small school where everyone knows each other.
Smaller schools: Many smaller prep schools see their relatively small size as a distinct advantage, especially when working with younger children. A small school offers the advantage for each child to be known and treated as an individual. The Elms explains
that the school is "of consciously small size in which everyone easily knows everyone else and a family atmosphere prevails. The Headmaster of Dumpton explains his school has been kept relatively small. Moffats has planned the school program for about 80, "ample for competitive purposes but not too many for the personal touch." Perrott Hill stresses that it is demanding but caring spirit that is the key to the chool and that "close personal contact with the boys in all their activities helps to create that spirit."
Larger schools: A larger school offers the obvious advantage that it is a more viable economic unit and unlikely to be forced to close if economic conditions or other events cause temporary declines in the roles. The principal advantage of a larger school is that the school can afford to hire a diverse staff affording specilist teachers and a wider course offering. A larger school can also afford to build facilities beyond the reach of small schools. A larger school also makes it possible to stream children of varying abilities.
The sense of 'belonging' in a small community is quite apparent at most schools. The boys know each other well and are aware that they are well-known to every member of the staff. An atmosphere can exist that is both intimate and informal and in which a boy can feel secure. This is of course critical given the age of prep school children, especially in a boarding setting. There is no doubt that happiness and security go together and are the foundation on which excellence is built.
The economic realities of modern Britain make it increasingly difficult to operate extremely small schools. Small schools are unable to offer a full range of qualified staff members. A limited number of children by necessisity also restrict the facilities and activities at a school. The financial viability of schools with fewer than about 100 students is tenous. Smaller schools find it difficult to afford some of the amenities and specialized facilities that the parents and children increasingly demand. The cost of building and operating facilities like swimming pools, sports halls, music buildings, etc. are not appreciably different whether there are 100 or 150 students. But while the costs are similar, a small school simply does not have the fee base to afford these facilities.
Some Headmasters, however, are concerned about expanding their schools significantly beyond the 150 student range. To do so means that the headmaster and staff find it more difficult to get to know each child and give him the individual attention that is the reason that many parents have chose private education in the first place. Especially for the younger children, the basic math and English skills are crucial and close, individual attention is without a doubt much more important than elaborate facilities.
