Dunhurst is the Junior School to Bedales and shares the same 120 acre estate just to the north of Petersfield. Dunhurst has approximately 160 pupils, of whom 60 are boarders. The very great majority of pupils go on to Bedales at 13.
Dunhurst is one of the very few Preparatory Schools in the country which is totally free of the constraints of the Common Entrance curriculum. This enables the pupils to benefit from a broad, imaginative curriculum where they are encouraged to develop investigative skills from an early age and where they learn to think for themselves. Physical alertness and manual dexterity are also considered to be highly important. Most of the pupils are instrumentalists before they leave Dunhurst and time is set aside for all musicians to practise in the well equipped Music School. Pupils also benefit from an exceptional range of extra-curricular activities and from being part of a happy and secure environment. Children call teachers by their first names and there is a considerable trust and rapport between them.
Facilities are excellent and include modern classrooms, two large halls, a music school, a science laboratory, an art/pottery/textiles/workshop complex and a library. Most Senior School sports facilities are shared with the Junior School and these include a heated swimming pool, sports hall, a floodlit all-weather pitch and a magnificent theatre.
DUNANNIE SCHOOL (Bedales Pre-Prep)
Dunannie was once described as 'an outpost of heaven' down the road. The school attempts to foster a lifetime's love of learning through a rich and varied curriculum.
Approximately 85 pupils are at the school in 5 year groups 3-8 years old.
