Business Details
Your Trusted Independent Prep School in Preston
Established in 2025, Highfield Priory School & Nursery provides a nurturing environment where children from two to eleven years thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our purpose-built 'Barn' facility offers state-of-the-art spaces for early years education, including dedicated playrooms, outdoor learning areas, and forest school sessions. We prioritize individualized learning, with staff trained to support each child's unique developmental pace while fostering curiosity and confidence. Recognized as The Sunday Times Top Independent Prep School in the North West, our curriculum extends beyond academics to include specialist teaching in French, physical education, and performing arts.The school's ISI Inspection Report 2023 commended our focus on 'building strength and individuality' through creative expression and collaborative learning. Our extended care programs, including breakfast club and holiday clubs, operate alongside a comprehensive extracurricular schedule featuring chess club, dance, and sports activities. Parent testimonials consistently highlight the warm, family-like atmosphere and exceptional staff dedication. With modern facilities including an all-weather sports pitch and performing arts room available for community hire, we serve as both an educational institution and local resource hub.
Services
Nursery Care
Preschool Education
Forest School Sessions
After-School Care
Holiday Club
Chess Club
Dance Classes
Sports Facilities Hire
Highlights and features
- We provide individualized learning plans aligned with EYFS guidelines and National Curriculum standards
- Our purpose-built 'Barn' facility offers dedicated spaces for early years education and outdoor learning
- Specialist teaching in French, performing arts, and physical education enhances core curriculum delivery
- ISI Inspection 2023 recognized our 'academically successful' environment with consistent high attainment
- Transition programs include Reception teacher visits and taster days for seamless educational progression
Associations and certifications
- Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
What people say
Second home for my child
Exceptional staff dedication
Superb forest school area
Great ethos in school
Children leave well-equipped
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery program for children aged 2-4 offers a balanced mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities within our purpose-built 'Barn' facility. With dedicated playrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and forest school sessions twice weekly, we focus on developing communication skills, physical coordination, and emotional intelligence. The curriculum follows EYFS guidelines while incorporating sensory experiences and creative play to stimulate cognitive development. Our experienced staff maintain a 1:4 adult-child ratio to ensure personalized attention.
Preschool Education
The preschool program for 3-4 year olds prepares children for formal schooling through structured yet flexible learning experiences. Daily phonics sessions, name writing practice, and small-group activities develop literacy and numeracy skills. Specialist teaching in French and physical education begins at this stage, complemented by weekly library visits and performing arts sessions. Our curriculum emphasizes social development through collaborative play while maintaining continuity with our nursery environment to ensure smooth transitions.
Forest School Sessions
Forest school programs develop resilience and environmental awareness through hands-on outdoor experiences. Children engage in structured activities like bug hunting with magnifying glasses, den building, and nature-based art projects. The purpose-designed outdoor area includes climbing structures and messy play zones that promote physical development and risk assessment skills. These sessions occur twice weekly for nursery children and are integrated into the broader curriculum to reinforce classroom learning through practical application.
After-School Care
Our after-school provision operates Monday-Friday from 3:15pm-6:00pm, offering a safe environment for children to complete homework and engage in supervised activities. The program includes structured games, creative arts, and access to sports facilities. Breakfast club runs from 7:15am-8:00am, providing continuity for working families. Both services maintain staff-to-child ratios exceeding statutory requirements while fostering social interaction between different year groups.
Holiday Club
The holiday club provides childcare during school breaks, operating Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm. Activities include themed projects, sports sessions on our all-weather pitch, and access to performing arts facilities. The program maintains educational continuity through literacy and numeracy games while allowing flexibility for spontaneous creative play. Children from both nursery and preschool age groups participate in age-appropriate activities that encourage inter-year group interaction and skill development.
People
Mr Jeremy Duke
Headmaster
Mr Duke leads Highfield Priory with over 20 years' experience in independent education. He champions holistic learning approaches that combine academic rigor with character development. Under his leadership, the school achieved top national rankings and expanded its facilities with the new 'Barn' building. He personally conducts school tours and maintains open communication with parents.
Questions
What are your nursery and preschool operating hours?
Nursery operates Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm. Preschool runs Monday-Friday 8:00am-3:15pm during term time. Breakfast club available from 7:15am.
How does Highfield Priory prepare children for primary school?
We implement structured transition programs including Reception teacher visits, taster days, and small-group phonics sessions. Our curriculum exceeds EYFS requirements while maintaining continuity between nursery and preschool environments.
What specialist teaching programs are available?
Children receive specialist instruction in French, physical education, and performing arts from qualified teachers. Weekly library visits and forest school sessions enhance core curriculum delivery.
How are parents kept informed about their child's progress?
We maintain daily communication through our nursery staff and provide formal progress reports. Parents can arrange meetings with teachers at any time and access regular updates through our website.
What facilities are available for after-school activities?
Our facilities include an all-weather sports pitch, sports hall, and performing arts room. After-school care operates until 6:00pm with structured activities and homework support for all year groups.
Reviews (2)
Mike Ogilvie
Jul 13, 2020
Report
Fantastic school and nursery. Used a few with our oldest, but our youngest will stay here from nursery to year 11 as we have not experienced any other school for these age groups even come close to what is delivered at highfield. Outstanding is all I can end with.
Dragon Drawings
Sep 18, 2019
Report
The teachers are so strict and won't let any of the children in at break no matter how freezing it is (unless its pouring down) and you are not allowed to go to the toilet during some lessons (or you have to wait until someone else has finished going). Everyone tells tales on everyone else and that teaches a bad lesson that someone will always be watching over you in adult life and will tell people off and you won't get bullied, it's not actually like that. And in assemblies the year 5 and under have to sit on the cold, hard floor (very uncomfortable). It's a private school so I do not see a reason
