What Prior Park College does

Prior Park College is an independent day and boarding school located on a 57-acre historic campus in Bath, England, serving students aged 11-18. Founded in 1830 by Bishop Augustine Baines and operated today by the Prior Park Educational Trust (a registered charity, No. 281242), the school delivers the English national curriculum across three core academic stages — 11+ (Years 7-8), GCSE (Years 9-11 with 22+ optional subjects), and Sixth Form (A-Levels, BTEC, EPQ). In 2024/25 the school achieved top 5% nationally for A Level progress, with 46% of leavers gaining Russell Group university places, and 52.1% of GCSE entries achieving grades 9-7.

The school's revenue model is dominated by recurring subscription-style termly tuition and boarding fees, supplemented by ancillary streams including Music Lessons (£35.30/half hour), EAL support, Learning Development Programme sessions, LAMDA tuition, half-term residential programmes at £97.50/day, flexi-boarding at £100/night, a compulsory VAT-exempt lunch charge of £1,200/year, and a Personal Learning Device service fee of £100/term for Windows 11 laptops integrated with Microsoft 365. One-time registration (£150) and acceptance (£600) fees, plus a £750 visa administration charge for Child Student Visa holders, contribute upfront revenue. Distribution is direct for UK families and channel-based for international students (~18% of roll), routed through educational agencies and AEGIS-accredited guardians.

Strategically, Prior Park College operates within the Prior Park Schools family alongside The Paragon School (ages 3-11, joined 2006) and Prior Park School Gibraltar (ages 11-18, established 2016). In 2024 the trustees rebranded the school from Catholic to Christian designation to broaden appeal, refreshed governance with a new Chair of Trustees, and continues to invest in digital learning infrastructure. Marketing is multi-channel: open events and taster days, an active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, LinkedIn), Good Schools Guide and ISI third-party validation, and an educational agent network for international recruitment.

Name

Prior Park College

Legal name

Prior Park College

Website

https://priorparkcollege.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1830

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Prior Park College is a private independent day and boarding school in Bath, England, serving students aged 11-18 through the 11+, GCSE, and Sixth Form curricula as part of the Prior Park Schools family, with recurring tuition fees supplemented by ancillary education services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Secondary Education (Day and Boarding)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)

Keywords

• Independent day school
• Boarding school education
• GCSE A-Level curriculum
• International student programmes
• Pastoral and co-curricular

Headquarters

HQ city

Bath

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Day Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees for day students covering academic instruction, facilities access, and standard co-curricular activities.
2. Boarding Fees: Full boarding fees including accommodation, meals, weekend activities, and airport transport at term start/end.
3. Additional Services and Activities: Music lessons, LAMDA tuition, EAL lessons, Learning Development Programme sessions, half-term residential programmes, flexi-boarding, printing charges, and personal learning device service fees.
4. Lunch Charges: Compulsory VAT-exempt lunch charges billed as extras at £1,200 per year.
5. Registration and Acceptance Fees: Non-refundable registration fee of £150 and acceptance fee of £600 to secure enrollment.
6. Visa Administration: Compliance management charge of £750 for students requiring a Child Student Visa.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Prior Park College is an independent day and boarding school in Bath delivering secondary education for students aged 11-18 across the 11+ Curriculum, GCSE, and Sixth Form (A-Level/BTEC/EPQ) stages. The school provides residential boarding, an EAL and International Students programme, a Learning Development Programme, a HATS academic scholarship stream, Personal Learning Devices integrated with Microsoft 365, and an 87-club co-curricular programme including sport, music, drama, arts, outdoor pursuits, Duke of Edinburgh and CCF.

Product overview

Prior Park College is an independent day and boarding school in Bath offering a comprehensive educational programme from ages 11-18. The core academic products consist of the 11+ Curriculum (Years 7-8), GCSE Subjects (Years 9-11 with over 22 discipline choices), and Sixth Form Curriculum (A-Levels, BTEC, EPQ, IELTS). Supporting modules include the Learning Development Programme for pupils with additional needs, the Highly Able & Talented Students (HATS) scholarship programme, and Personal Learning Devices integrated with Microsoft 365. Boarding facilities provide residential education for international and UK students, while the Co-Curricular programme offers 87+ activities including sports, arts, music, drama, and outdoor pursuits. International students receive dedicated EAL provision from Year 7 through to university preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prior Park Schools: The family of schools that includes Prior Park College, The Paragon School, and Prior Park Gibraltar.

Products and services

• 11+ Curriculum Years 7 and 8 curriculum bridging primary education and Senior Houses, featuring a broad curriculum with core subjects (Maths, English, RE, Science) plus Humanities, Languages, ICT, Product Design, Visual and Performing Arts, and PSHCE taught by specialist teachers.
• GCSE Subjects Programme Years 9-11 curriculum offering over 22 GCSE disciplines. Students take core essentials (English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Core RE, PSHE, Games) plus six optional subjects chosen from Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Further Maths, Geography, History, Latin, Mandarin, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Religion & Philosophy, Spanish, Textiles.
• Sixth Form Curriculum A-Level and BTEC programmes for Years 12-13. Predominantly A-Levels with most students taking three subjects, plus options for BTEC Business, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and IELTS for EAL students. Subjects span Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design, Drama, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Latin, Mandarin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Photography, PE, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Spanish, Textile Design, Theology Philosophy and Ethics.
• Boarding (Full, Flexi and Short Stay) Full and flexi boarding programme for students aged 11-18, set in 57 acres with separate Girls and Boys boarding houses, evening and weekend activities, dinner-bed-breakfast flexi boarding at £100 per night, half-term residential stays at £97.50 per day, and a short-stay summer course for international students.
• International Students and EAL Provision Comprehensive support for the school's international cohort (~18% of roll). Includes paid EAL lessons (individual, pair and group), free entry-level EAL for Year 7, Cambridge PET, FIRST and CAE preparation, IGCSE English as Second Language, IELTS preparation, and an EAL Induction Programme. Includes Child Student Visa administration support via The Nathanson Partnership and AEGIS-accredited guardianship requirement.
• Learning Development Programme (LDP) Specialist paid support programme providing small group (£12.50 per 35 min) or individual (£25 per 35 min) lessons with specialist teachers, curriculum adjustments, assistive technology, and close partnership between classroom teachers and the LDP team for pupils with additional learning needs.
• Highly Able & Talented Students (HATS) Programme Scholarship and enrichment programme for identified highly able students offering fortnightly lunchtime clubs, masterclasses, competitions, lectures, university visits, and annual Scholars' trips, with entry via entrance assessment.
• Personal Learning Device (PLD) Service School-provided Windows 11 touchscreen laptop with active pen, integrated with the Microsoft 365 learning platform, with a service fee of £100 per term covering device, safeguarding systems and antivirus protection. Device remains school property.
• Co-Curricular Activities Programme Programme of 87+ clubs and societies spanning Sport, Visual Arts, Design & Technology, Drama, Music, Outdoor Pursuits, Duke of Edinburgh Awards (Bronze and Gold), CCF, and the Prior 4 Life Sixth Form programme. Includes paid music tuition (£35.30 per half hour), LAMDA lessons, and instrument hire.
• School Transport Service Daily coach and minibus transport to and from Bath, Warminster, Calcot Manor, Shepton Mallet, Trowbridge, Hullavington, Keynsham and Chew Valley for day students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46% of 2024/25 leavers gained Russell Group university places
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• FlywiresupportingTechnology or IntegrationInternational payment processing partner enabling families to make secure fee payments from abroad with reduced bank charges and easier deposit refunds at end of schooling.
• AEGIScoreOthersThe independent body for inspection and accreditation of guardianship organisations. Prior Park is a member, and requires all international students without UK-based family guardians to use AEGIS or BSA accredited guardians.
• The Nathanson PartnershipsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed to ensure Prior Park College remains compliant with UKVI requirements for Child Student Visa holders. Liaises with parents to guide them through visa application process.
• St John's FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity focused charity working across Bath and North East Somerset to narrow the attainment gap for Key Stage 2 children. Prior Park works with them to provide Be Inspired Netball Days and other opportunities.
• Team Bath TennissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to run Introduction to Tennis sessions for local primary school children during summer term activities at Prior Park College.
• Educational AgentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational educational consultants and agencies worldwide facilitate applications from non-UK families, administer entrance tests, and supply translated school reports.
• Bursary Assessment AssociatessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal third-party provider managing bursary assessment process via secure portal, ensuring objective and equitable review of means-tested bursary applications.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Millfield: Large, established co-educational independent school in Street, Somerset, with a much broader sports and academic offering across ages 2-18. Operates at significantly larger scale than Prior Park, providing useful benchmarking for tuition economics, but with a much wider portfolio than Prior Park's focused academic-boarding model.

Direct peers

• Bryanston School: Co-educational independent boarding school in Dorset serving ages 13-18 on a large rural estate. Highly comparable in heritage, scale, full-boarding model, and value-added academic positioning for premium UK and international fee-payers.
• Clifton College: Historic co-educational day and boarding school in Bristol, founded 1862, with full 3-18 provision including a strong international student cohort. Highly comparable in scale, heritage, full-boarding model, and academic performance metrics.
• Badminton School: Girls' day and boarding school in Bristol serving ages 4-18, competing for the same southwest England and international families. Comparable boarding fee structure, Sixth Form breadth, and university destination profile.
• Monkton Combe School: Co-educational independent day and boarding school located minutes from Prior Park in Bath, serving ages 2-18 with a similar historic campus and strong academic profile. The closest geographic and structural peer for benchmarking on fees, roll, and boarding economics.
• King Edward's School, Bath: Selective co-educational independent day school in Bath, sharing the same local catchment and competing for the same high-achieving domestic families. Highly comparable on curriculum breadth, GCSE/A-Level results, and Sixth Form progression to top universities.
• Taunton School: Independent co-educational day and boarding school in Somerset serving ages 0-18 with a substantial international student cohort. Comparable on size, geographic market, mixed day/boarding model, and breadth of co-curricular activities.
• Royal High School Bath: Girls' day and boarding school in Bath, part of the GDST network, serving ages 3-18. Direct competitor for the same Bath catchment, sharing the same southwest England market, and offering comparable A-Level outcomes and Russell Group university progression.
• Marlborough College: Wiltshire-based co-educational boarding school founded in 1843, serving ages 13-18 with a national and international intake. Comparable in heritage, scale, and premium full-boarding positioning; competes directly for the same high-net-worth UK and international families.
• Wells Cathedral School: Somerset-based co-educational independent school with specialist music provision, serving ages 3-18 with day and boarding. Comparable in geographic positioning (West of England), co-ed model, and mix of academic and specialist enrichment offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/priorpark
• YouTubeyoutube.com/Priorparkcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/prior.park.37
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/groups/4037541
• Instagraminstagram.com/priorpark_college

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Prior Park College