What Windlesham House School does

Windlesham House School, founded in 1837, is one of the oldest independent preparatory schools in the United Kingdom, operating a 70-acre campus within the South Downs National Park near Pulborough, West Sussex. The school provides day and boarding education for girls and boys aged 4 to 13, structured across a Pre-Prep Programme (ages 4-7) and a Prep Programme (ages 7-13), with day pupils representing 63% of current enrollment. The institution reports a 100% senior school pass rate, with 45% of pupils winning scholarships in the prior year, supported by a co-curricular programme of 80-150+ activities weekly, specialist swimming and golf academies, a forest school, and a Year 7-8 Diploma and Futures Programme focused on senior school transition.

The school is operated by The Malden Trust Limited (Registered Charity Number: 312054) and is part of the Charterhouse Family of Schools, with formal senior school feeder pathways to Charterhouse and reciprocal ties to Winchester College. Revenue derives primarily from recurring tuition fees across day, full-boarding, part-boarding, and trial-boarding options, supplemented by wrap-around care services (breakfast, supper, temporary boarding for day pupils) and external facility hire/lettings. Notable infrastructure includes a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool (64,000 tiles, 500,000-litre capacity), a nine-hole on-site golf course, five acres of dedicated sports pitches, and over 1,000 trees across the campus.

Go-to-market relies on a direct-to-consumer admissions funnel (open mornings, personal tours with Headmaster Ben Evans, taster days, bespoke placement process) layered with word-of-mouth referrals, educational directory presence (Tatler Schools Guide, Good Schools Guide, Talk Education), and earned media coverage of awards and sporting achievements. International boarding families, military families, and UK-based day families comprise the primary customer segments. Technology integration is limited to classroom tools (interactive touchscreens, green screen technology) and co-curricular robotics (FIRST Lego League Challenge), with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, proprietary platforms, or external integrations.

Name

Windlesham House School

Legal name

The Malden Trust Limited

Website

https://windlesham.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1837

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Windlesham House School is a UK independent day and boarding prep school founded in 1837, serving girls and boys aged 4-13 on a 70-acre South Downs campus with a 100% senior school pass rate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Preparatory Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)

Keywords

• Independent preparatory education
• Boarding school services
• Pre-prep schooling
• Prep school tuition
• Co-curricular programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Pulborough

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Day Tuition Fees: Day pupils pay tuition fees for daily attendance, with 63% of current pupils being day students.
2. Boarding Fees: Full and part-boarding options available including junior boarding, part-time boarding, and trial boarding opportunities.
3. Wrap-around Care: Flexible boarding options including temporary boarding, breakfast and supper provision at school for day pupils.
4. Facility Hire and Lettings: The school offers lettings and facility hire services for external use of campus facilities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Windlesham House School provides independent day and boarding preparatory education for boys and girls aged 4 to 13, delivered through a Pre-Prep (ages 4-7) and Prep (ages 7-13) curriculum on a 70-acre West Sussex campus. Core tuition is complemented by full and part-time boarding, Forest School outdoor learning, specialist sports academies (swimming, golf), music, drama, and over 150 weekly co-curricular and enrichment activities.

Product overview

Windlesham House School is an independent day and boarding prep school offering a comprehensive educational programme for girls and boys aged 4 to 13. The school operates a two-tier structure comprising the Pre-Prep Programme for ages 4-7 and the Prep Programme for ages 7-13, with both day and boarding options available. Core academic provision is supplemented by specialist academies including the Swimming Academy (featuring a 25m indoor pool) and Golf Academy (with a nine-hole on-site course), alongside enrichment programmes such as the Challenge and Diploma Programme, Forest School, and extensive co-curricular offerings spanning music, drama, sports (80+ activities), and more. The school emphasises holistic development through its Diploma and Futures Programme for senior pupils.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-Prep Programme Early years education programme for children aged 4 to 7, delivered through a foundation curriculum emphasising learning through play, discovery, and pastoral nurture within the Windlesham House School setting.
• Prep Programme Primary preparatory education for children aged 7 to 13, preparing pupils for Common Entrance examinations, senior school interviews, and scholarship applications. Delivered on the 70-acre Pulborough campus with the school's academic excellence focus.
• Day Schooling Flexible day pupil provision allowing children to attend daily with access to academic, sporting, and co-curricular activities; 63% of current pupils are day students. Wrap-around breakfast and supper options extend the school day for families.
• Boarding Full and part-boarding options for pupils aged 7 to 13, with flexible arrangements including full boarding, weekly boarding, part-time (flexi) boarding, trial boarding, junior boarding, and temporary boarding. Includes dedicated international boarding with visa sponsorship support.
• Windlesham Swimming Academy Specialist swimming coaching delivered at the school's six-lane 25m indoor pool (64,000 tiles, 500,000 litre capacity), supporting competitive swimming, water safety, and host of IAPS regional qualifiers.
• Windlesham Golf Golf coaching and competitive play at the school's on-site nine-hole golf course, including entry into the Charterhouse Prep School Golf Tournament (won 2025).
• Forest School Programme Outdoor learning programme using the school's 70 acres of woodland and natural environment to develop practical skills, environmental awareness, and confidence through nature-based activities.
• Challenge and Diploma Programme Saturday enrichment programme offering activities including farming, first aid, golf, football, water polo, music, coding, and fashion design, designed to develop skills beyond the standard curriculum.
• Year 7-8 Diploma and Futures Programme Specialised upper-prep programme for Years 7-8 focusing on senior school transition preparation, scholarship readiness, and future academic planning, including the Diploma Dialogues with visiting speakers.
• Music Programme Comprehensive music education delivering approximately 220 lessons weekly, including instrumental tuition, ensemble performances, and regular concerts such as Windlesham Rocks and half-term concerts.
• Drama and Performing Arts Theatre and performance programme including productions such as 'Around the World in 80 Days', Creative Arts Days, and whole-school performances using physical theatre techniques and green screen technology.
• Sports Programme Extensive sports programme offering 80+ extra-curricular activities including football, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball, athletics, swimming, and equestrian, coached by expert coaches.
• NFL Flag Football Programme Flag football coaching and competitive participation delivered as part of the NFL UK partnership, including hosting regional tournaments and supporting other schools in introducing the sport.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% pass rate to senior schools
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Charterhouse Family of SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWindlesham House is part of the Charterhouse Family of Schools, a network of prestigious independent schools. This partnership provides pathways to Charterhouse senior school and facilitates joint events such as the Charterhouse Prep School Golf Tournament. The relationship includes shared educational philosophy and collaborative opportunities for pupils.
• Local Sussex SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWindlesham House runs a swimming programme helping children from local schools develop vital swimming and water safety skills. The school also shares its NFL Flag Football programme with local schools to support introduction and development of the sport.
• Raystede Animal Rescue CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaystede is a Sussex-based charity that rehomes cats, dogs and small animals. Windlesham House hosts an annual dog show to raise funds and awareness for the charity.
• Sussex Wildlife TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school partners with Sussex Wildlife Trust for the Nature Ranger Award programme, where pupils can earn awards for environmental conservation activities such as moth studies.
• NFL UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWindlesham House is an NFL Flag School, participating in and hosting NFL Flag Football regional tournaments. The school supports other schools in introducing and developing the sport through its NFL Flag Football programme.
• Charterhouse SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadmaster Dr Alex Peterken of Charterhouse visits Windlesham for school tours and prospective pupil meetings. Windlesham pupils attend Charterhouse and maintain close ties through visits and the Diploma Dialogues programme.
• Winchester CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinchester College Registrar Andy Shedden visits Windlesham to meet prospective pupils and speak about the application process. Many Windlesham pupils apply to and attend Winchester College.
• OWLS (Old Windlesham Leavers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlumni network connecting former pupils who can engage with current students through events like Diploma Dialogues. OWLS provide mentorship and career guidance to current pupils.
• Rhino ArkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan wildlife conservation charity featured in the inaugural Diploma Dialogues presentation to Year 8 pupils, educating students about international conservation efforts.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eagle House School: Co-educational prep school in Berkshire for children aged 3 to 13, part of the Wellington College family of schools. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, day/boarding model and affiliation with a senior-school group.
• Cottesmore School: Independent co-educational prep and pre-prep boarding school in West Sussex serving children aged 2.5 to 13. Highly comparable to Windlesham on geography (West Sussex), age range, day/boarding mix and full boarding offering, making it the closest direct competitor.
• Ludgrove School: Independent boys' boarding prep school in Berkshire for ages 8 to 13, with strong senior school scholarship record. Comparable to Windlesham on boarding prep positioning, scholarship outcomes and large-campus sporting focus.
• Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing: Prep school for ages 2 to 13 in Worthing, West Sussex, feeding into Lancing College senior school. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, Sussex location, day-and-boarding mix, and affiliation with a senior school through a feeder pipeline.
• The Prebendal School: Independent co-educational prep school for ages 2 to 13 in Chichester, West Sussex, with both day and boarding places. Closely comparable on geography (within 15 miles of Windlesham), age range and day/boarding structure.
• Marlborough College Prep School: Co-educational day and boarding prep school in Wiltshire for children aged 4 to 13, feeding into Marlborough College. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, day/boarding mix, large rural campus and senior-school pipeline.
• Ardingly College Preparatory School: Co-educational boarding and day prep school in West Sussex serving ages 2 to 13, feeding into Ardingly College. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, Sussex location, mixed day/boarding model and senior-school pathway.
• Beaudesert Park School: Co-educational day and boarding prep school in Gloucestershire for children aged 3 to 13. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, day/boarding mix, extensive grounds and broad co-curricular programme.
• Summer Fields School: Independent boys' boarding prep school in Oxford for ages 4 to 13, focused on senior school preparation. Comparable to Windlesham on full-boarding prep model, scholarship preparation outcomes and large rural campus.
• St Andrew's Prep, Eastbourne: Independent co-educational boarding and day prep school in Eastbourne, East Sussex, for ages 9 months to 13. Comparable to Windlesham on age range, mixed day/boarding model, Sussex coastal location and broad co-curricular programme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windlesham-house-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Windlesham House School