Park School
Park School is an independent co-educational day school in Bournemouth serving children aged 3 months to 11 years, operating a nursery, prep school (Reception–Year 6), and co-curricular programs. Owned by Forfar Education Group since 2021, it runs wraparound care, holiday clubs, and music tuition as additional revenue streams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1928
- HeadquartersBournemouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Park School does
Park School (Bournemouth) Ltd is an independent co-educational day school located at 43 Queens Park South Drive, Bournemouth, Dorset, serving children from 3 months to 11 years. Founded in 1928 (originally as Palmyra School in Southsea, Portsmouth) and renamed in 1941, the school has operated continuously in Bournemouth for over 80 years. It was acquired by Forfar Education Group in 2021, under whose governance board it currently operates as a private limited company. The school runs two integrated operations: the First Steps Nursery (ages 3 months–4 years, open 51 weeks per year with full-day and half-day sessions) and the main Prep School (Reception through Year 6, two classes per year group of approximately 20 pupils each).
The school's product set spans nursery care, mainstream curriculum delivery, and a broad co-curricular programme including a Forest School, Beach School, dedicated STEAM learning space, comprehensive music education (117 weekly lessons with 9 peripatetic teachers), LAMDA drama examinations, and sport at the 6.5-acre Dean Park sports ground (acquired 2014). Ancillary revenue streams include wraparound care (Breakfast Club and After School Care Club, 8am–6pm), Holiday Clubs open to the community, peripatetic music tuition, and external facility hire. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, billed termly or monthly.
The go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer: families engage via the website, Open Afternoons, Reception Discovery Events, the free Park Penguins playgroup, and word-of-mouth within Bournemouth and Dorset. Park School maintains relationships with major local employers (J.P. Morgan, the local hospital) as referral channels for working parents, and is accredited by ISI (Excellent, 2026), Ofsted (Outstanding nursery, 2024), IAPS, ISA, and ISC. The school was ranked #38 (2019) and #32 (2020) in The Sunday Times Top 100 Prep Schools and reports 95% of pupils exceeding national SATs standards vs. a 59% national average.
Park School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Park School
- Legal name
- Park School (Bournemouth) Ltd
- Website
- https://parkschool.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1928
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Park School is an independent co-educational day school in Bournemouth serving children aged 3 months to 11 years, operating a nursery, prep school (Reception–Year 6), and co-curricular programs. Owned by Forfar Education Group since 2021, it runs wraparound care, holiday clubs, and music tuition as additional revenue streams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Park School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Preparatory School Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD), Extended Day Programs at Preschools & Childcare Centers (EDACAHAB), Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD)
Keywords
Where Park School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bournemouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Park School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- School Tuition Fees: Main revenue stream from tuition fees for children aged 4-11 years (Reception through Year 6). Fees are paid by parents for full-day schooling with curriculum delivery and co-curricular activities.
- Nursery Fees: Full daycare and early years education for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Session-based pricing with full day, morning, and afternoon options. Nursery operates 51 weeks per year.
- Holiday Club: Holiday clubs running throughout holidays including half terms, offering specialist subjects (STEM, music, performing arts, sport) for children aged 4-11. Open to all community children, not just enrolled pupils.
- Wraparound Care: Before and after school care (ASCC and Breakfast Club) providing extended care for working families from 8am-6pm.
- Peripatetic Music Lessons: Individual music lessons offered by specialist peripatetic teachers in piano, drums, woodwind, singing, violin, guitar, cello, and brass. ABRSM exam venue for music examinations.
- Facility Hire: School facilities are available for hire to external parties, generating additional revenue streams.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Termly or Monthly | School fees - full-time education for Reception-Year 6 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Full Day nursery session (8am-6pm) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Half-day nursery sessions (morning 8am-1pm or afternoon 1pm-6pm) |
| Subscription | Per booking | Holiday Club day rates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Park School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Park School is an independent co-educational day school in Bournemouth providing continuous education and childcare from age 3 months through 11 years. Its core offering comprises the First Steps Nursery (3 months to 4 years, 51 weeks per year, EYFS-based) and the main Prep School (Reception through Year 6), complemented by Forest School, Beach School, a dedicated STEAM learning space, music education with peripatetic lessons, sports at the 6.5-acre Dean Park ground, wraparound care, and Holiday Clubs.
Product overview
Park School is an independent co-educational day school offering a unified educational experience from nursery through primary level. The core offering comprises the First Steps Nursery (for children 3 months to 4 years) and the main Prep School (Reception to Year 6, ages 4-11). These are complemented by enrichment services including Forest School and Beach School outdoor programs, a dedicated STEAM Learning Space, and a comprehensive Music Education Program with 117 lessons weekly. Additional childcare services include Wraparound Care (Breakfast Club and After School Care Club) and Holiday Clubs. The school also operates Park Penguins, a free playgroup for under-5s. All programs are supported by sports facilities at Dean Park and partnerships with local venues for swimming and other activities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Park School Nursery (First Steps Nursery) Day nursery for children aged 3 months to 4 years, offering full daycare and early years education following the EYFS curriculum. Open 51 weeks per year with flexible full day, morning, and afternoon sessions. Ofsted Outstanding (May 2024).
- Park School Main School Independent co-educational day school for children from Reception through Year 6 (ages 4-11) offering a broad curriculum including academic subjects, music, art, drama, sports, and co-curricular activities. Two classes per year group with an average of 20 children per class. ISI Excellent in all areas.
- Forest School Program Outdoor learning led by qualified Forest School practitioners (including Mrs. Latini as Forest School Lead), linking classroom curriculum to outdoor environments for pupils.
- Beach School Program Beach School activities led by Mrs. Sam Rodwell as Beach School Lead, providing experiential learning opportunities at the beach for pupils.
- STEAM Learning Space Dedicated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) learning space enabling pupils to explore design technology and conduct hands-on science experiments, connecting theory to real-life applications.
- Music Education Program Comprehensive music program with 117 music lessons weekly, specialist tuition from nine peripatetic music teachers, school choir, orchestra, jazz band, string ensemble, and recorder ensemble. Covers woodwind, brass, strings, piano, guitar, percussion, and singing. School is an approved ABRSM exam venue.
- Sports Program Broad and balanced physical education and sport programme utilising Dean Park (6.5-acre sports ground). Includes athletics, rounders, netball, football, rugby, Tri Golf, cricket, hockey, tag rugby, and gymnastics. Over 800 children participated in sports activities in the past academic year.
- Wraparound Care (ASCC & Breakfast Club) After School Care Club (ASCC) and Breakfast Club providing extended childcare services for working families, operating from early morning through evening.
- Holiday Clubs Holiday clubs running throughout school holidays including half terms, offering one-day and week-long camps for children aged 4-11 (Reception to Year 6). Courses include STEM, music, performing arts, sport, adventure activities, and crafts. Open to all children in the community, not just Park School pupils.
- Park Penguins Playgroup Free weekly playgroup for Under 5s held every Friday morning from 10:00-11:15am, run by Park School staff. Provides themed activities including music sessions with the Head of Music and sports activities with the Head of PE.
- Drama & Performance Program Drama and dance program building children's confidence with annual performances from Reception to Year 6. Pupils can enter for LAMDA and drama examinations. The school was highly commended in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards for Performing Arts Achievement.
- Peripatetic Music Lessons Individual music lessons offered by specialist peripatetic teachers in piano, drums, woodwind, singing, violin, guitar, cello, and brass. Park School is an approved ABRSM exam venue.
- Facility Hire School facilities available for hire to external parties, generating additional revenue streams.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of pupils achieved or exceeded expected standard in SATs vs 59% national average
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Park School
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Park School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Park School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dean Park Day NurserycoreMaintains close partnership with Dean Park Day Nursery, a sister nursery. Many children join Park School from this partner nursery. Both nurseries received positive inspections.
- Little Crickets Forest SchoolminorPartnership with Little Crickets Forest School providing outdoor learning opportunities. Many children join Park School from this partner nursery.
- West Hants ClubminorPartnership with West Hants Club for access to squash facilities, enhancing the sports programme with additional indoor court sports.
- Ringwood Leisure CentreminorPartnership with Ringwood Leisure Centre for swimming facilities access, supporting the comprehensive sports programme.
- Littledown CentreminorOccasional use of Littledown Centre for large all-weather pitches and netball courts for sports lessons and competitions.
- Sir David English CentreminorAccess to specialist athletics facilities at Sir David English Centre for enhanced sports education.
- Kings Park Athletics StadiumminorUse of Kings Park Athletics stadium for specialist athletics facilities and competitions.
- Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)coreRegulatory body for independent schools inspection. Park School received Excellent ratings in all areas in both 2015 and 2023/2026 inspections.
- Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)coreMember of IAPS, a professional association for preparatory schools. Membership indicates adherence to high standards of education.
- Independent Schools Association (ISA)coreMember of ISA providing access to national competitions including ISA National Athletics Finals and other sporting events.
- Independent Schools Council (ISC)coreMember of ISC representing independent schools in the UK. Listed on ISC website for parent information.
- J.P. MorganminorFantastic working relationship with J.P. Morgan, a major local employer. School supports families through extensive after-school clubs and care options for working parents.
- Local HospitalminorSchool has fantastic working relationship with local hospital. Supports families of hospital employees through wraparound care and flexible options.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Park School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Clayesmore School: Independent co-educational school in Dorset covering Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior phases. Comparable in size, ethos, and curriculum breadth to Park School and draws from overlapping Dorset families.
- Talbot Heath School: Independent girls' school in Bournemouth offering Nursery, Preparatory and Senior phases. A direct competitor for premium prep education in the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation.
- Dumpton School: Independent co-educational prep school in Dorset (Blandford) covering Nursery through Year 8, with a similar ethos-driven, high-attainment model to Park School.
- Durlston Court School: Independent co-educational prep school in New Milton covering Nursery through Year 8. Comparable Bournemouth-area prep offering with overlapping family catchment and fee structure.
- Castle Court School: Independent co-educational prep school in Dorset (Corfe Mullen) for ages 2-13. Very similar operating model, scale, and Dorset catchment to Park School.
- Ballard School: Independent co-educational prep and senior school in New Milton, close to Bournemouth. Directly comparable in scale, age range, and regional positioning to Park School.
- Walhampton School: Independent co-educational prep school in Hampshire (Lymington) covering ages 2-13. Comparable prep-school offering with similar pastoral and co-curricular emphasis, attracting families from the New Forest/Bournemouth border.
- Bournemouth Collegiate School: Co-educational independent day school in Bournemouth covering Nursery through Sixth Form, operating in the same catchments and competing for the same fee-paying families as Park School.
Broad incumbents
- Canford School: Large, established independent boarding and day school in Dorset for ages 13-18. Competes for the same feeder pipeline at 11+ and competes for parental brand preference in the Dorset premium market.
Regional players
- Stroud School: Independent co-educational prep school in Hampshire (Romsey) within the King Edward's network. Comparable prep-school offer but primarily Hampshire-based rather than Dorset.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Park School social profiles
Digital presencePark School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Park School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Park School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Park School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Park School
What does Park School do?
Park School is an independent co-educational day school in Bournemouth providing continuous education and childcare from age 3 months through 11 years. Its core offering comprises the First Steps Nursery (3 months to 4 years, 51 weeks per year, EYFS-based) and the main Prep School (Reception through Year 6), complemented by Forest School, Beach School, a dedicated STEAM learning space, music education with peripatetic lessons, sports at the 6.5-acre Dean Park ground, wraparound care, and Holiday Clubs.
Is Park School a public or private company?
Park School is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Park School founded?
Park School was founded in 1928. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Park School based?
Park School is headquartered in Bournemouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Park School make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. School Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are nursery Fees, holiday Club, wraparound Care, peripatetic Music Lessons and facility Hire.
Who are Park School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Clayesmore School, Talbot Heath School, Dumpton School, Durlston Court School, Castle Court School, Ballard School, Walhampton School and Bournemouth Collegiate School. Canford School is listed as a broad incumbent. Stroud School is listed as a regional player.
Does Park School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Park School.
What industry is Park School in?
Park School's product category is Independent Preparatory School Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACABAA, General Preschools (Play-Based), with a secondary code of EDACACAD, Full-Day Nursery Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8351.