About Us
The Mall is an independent school and nursery for children aged 6 months to 11 years. In September 2023, the first girls joined the school in Reception. The move to co-education will be phased in gradually and will be completed across all year groups by September 2028.
Pupils benefit from our broad and creative curriculum and dedicated preparation for 11+ examinations, within a nurturing environment. Children flourish in our impressive facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, purpose-built theatre, creative and performing arts centre, music department housing a wide range of instruments and sports hall.
The Mall achieves extraordinary results, despite being a non-selective school, thanks to our inspiring teaching and pastoral care. The school was rated as excellent in all areas in its most recent ISI Inspection.
Why did The Mall becoming a co-educational school?
Prospective parents were seeking a school that could serve both their sons and their daughters. In the past 25 years the number co-educational independent schools in the UK has risen from 55% to 81%.
After opening our co-educational day nursery for children aged 6 month to 4 years, we felt that it was the ideal time to make an exciting change. It allows children to move up from the nursery or join us at Reception.
When will The Mall become fully co-educational?
Our co-ed nursery opened in September 2022 and girls joined Reception from September 2023. They are currently moving through the school year on year and we are accepting girls in other year groups too. The Mall will be fully co-educational by 2028.
Will class sizes go up?
No. Class sizes will remain capped at 20.
Has the academic curriculum changed?
Our Deputy Head, as part of his Masters course, is currently reviewing our curriculum. It remains broad and exciting, art, design technology, digital skills, drama, French, geography, history, Latin, music, personal social and health education, religious studies, science and sports alongside the core subjects of English and maths. We introduce verbal and non-verbal reasoning in Year 4 as children start to prepare for their 11+ exams.
Our teachers are always looking at ways to adapt the curriculum to make it more relevant and interesting. Their teaching remains inspiring and creative.
How are girls prepared for 11+ examinations?
Girls and boys will leave at the end of Year 6. Our Headmaster is currently focussing on visiting and getting to know the senior schools that our girls apply to at 11+.
In our regular parent surveys, carried out by an external market research consultant, we consistently score highly against other prep schools for our advice on, and preparation for entry to senior schools. We look forward to preparing girls for the same co-educational schools the boys go to, as well as girls’ only independent senior and state grammar schools.
What is the co-educational provision for music, drama and sport?
The standard of music and sport is very high at The Mall, as is the opportunity of involvement for all pupils. We offer a range of team sports for the boys and girls, with competitive fixtures against other schools.
Pupils can take part in musical activities from choirs, bands and orchestras to individual lessons to learn a musical instrument. All the children take part in annual drama performances, for example the Year 6 Leavers’ Play, throughout their time at the school. We encourage our pupils to embrace all the opportunities we offer outside of the classroom and spark a passion for an interest which they will take with them to senior school and beyond.
Will children in the nursery automatically be offered a place in the Reception class?
Yes, The Mall Nursery pupils will be offered a place in the Reception class, unless there are exceptional circumstances. We will still welcome children from other nurseries but early registration is advised as we will offer these places on a first-come-first-served basis.
