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Co-Curricular

Co-Curricular Activities in the Prep School

At Abbot’s Hill, we believe EVERY child deserves their moment to shine, and nowhere is is that belief more alive than in the co-curricular life of our Prep School.

Our Prep School educates children in Years 3 to 6 (ages 7–11), who, beyond the classroom, benefit from an extraordinary breadth of opportunities across sport, the performing arts, outdoor learning and enrichment — with over 70 clubs and activities available each week, running before, during and after school.

Whether it’s swimming or sci-tech, netball or newspaper club, athletics or art or gardening, every Prep pupil has the chance to discover something they love — and to develop it in a community that genuinely cheers them on.

Our Facilities

A great co-curricular programme needs great spaces to happen in. At Abbot’s Hill Prep, pupils have access to outstanding facilities across our 76-acre campus, including:

  • The Dame Judi Dench Theatre — a professional-standard performance venue for drama, music and whole-school productions
  • The Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre — including a dance studio, and spaces for indoor sport
  • The Stable Block Art Department — a dedicated creative arts space for visual art, design and technology
  • Swimming pool — used for timetabled swimming lessons and squad training
  • Athletics and orienteering tracks — giving pupils genuine competitive-standard facilities for athletics
  • 76 acres of grounds — including our own woodland, used for weekly Woodland School sessions and outdoor learning throughout the year

Educational Trips and Visits

Some of the most powerful learning happens beyond the school gates. Prep School pupils enjoy a varied programme of educational visits throughout the year — day trips, curriculum-linked visits and residential experiences that bring subjects to life and broaden horizons in ways the classroom alone cannot.

  • Recent day trips have included the National History Museum, Science Museum, a local synagogue and Hampton Court.
  • Residential trips start in Year 3, culminating in the much-anticipated Year 6 trip to Scotland.

What all trips have in common is that they are carefully planned to connect directly with what pupils are studying and to create the kind of memories children genuinely treasure.

Find out more about Prep Trips

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Sport

From Year 3 onwards, the sporting world opens up in exciting new ways. Children are introduced to a wide range of sports, experience the buzz of inter-school competition for the first time, and discover — often to their own surprise — what they are truly passionate about.

Main sports in the Prep School include:

  • Netball
  • Lacrosse
  • Football
  • Cricket
  • Cross country
  • Athletics
  • Swimming
  • Hockey
  • Tennis

Pupils compete in inter-school fixtures throughout the year, representing Abbot’s Hill against other local independent and state schools. Our expert coaching staff provide specialist tuition throughout the Prep years, catering for every ability — from those developing their first competitive instincts to those with real sporting talent who want to be pushed further.

Our greatest ambition is to give every child a genuine, lasting love of movement and physical activity — the kind that stays with them long after their school days are over.

Find out more about Prep Sport

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Creative and Performing Arts

Creative and performing arts are central to the culture of Abbot’s Hill Prep. Stunning art exhibitions, beautiful instrumental and choral performances, and impressive drama productions regularly bring the school community together — and every pupil has the opportunity to be part of them.

Pupils benefit from specialist teaching in Music, Art and Drama throughout the Prep School, with access to the Dame Judi Dench Theatre for productions and performances, St Nick’s Hall for music, and the Stable Block Art Department for visual arts. Productions have included Finding Nemo, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, giving pupils experience of performing to a full audience in a professional theatrical setting.

Beyond timetabled lessons, a wide range of creative co-curricular clubs runs each week — including music ensembles, choir, art club, and drama workshops.

Find out more about Creative and Performing Arts

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Outdoor Learning and Woodland School

Woodland School is a weekly timetabled lesson throughout the Prep School; it is far from an occasional add-on or special treat, but a meaningful and valued part of every child’s week.

Set in our own woodland within the school’s 76-acre grounds, it is a place where children dig, build, explore, learn and imagine — developing teamwork, resilience, creativity and a love of the natural world that stays with them long after the mud has been washed off.

Our approach emphasises how children learn rather than simply what they produce. We celebrate the process of discovery — the problem-solving, the collaboration, the confidence that comes from taking on real challenges in a real environment.

Find out more about Outdoor Learning

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“One of the things that drew us to Abbot’s Hill was the sheer range of what is on offer beyond the classroom. Our children have tried things here that they would simply never have encountered elsewhere, and and the enthusiasm they come home with every day is testament to just how special that breadth of experience really is.”

Abbot's Hill Parent

Come and Visit Us

Come and visit us to get a taste of what Abbot's Hill can offer your child! We run Open Events throughout the year, and also welcome families into school throughout term time for private tours and meetings with the Head. Get in touch with our Admissions Team to book your chosen visit.
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World Challenge: Borneo 2026!

Over the summer holidays, 12 of our students from Years 9 to 11 travelled to Borneo for an unforgettable World Challenge expedition, accompanied by Miss Knatchbull, Miss Bliss and their World Challenge leader, Violette.

Across 16 days, the students immersed themselves in the culture, communities and incredible landscapes of Sarawak. From exploring Kuching and local markets, to trekking through the rainforest, staying in remote communities, learning traditional skills and eating plenty of delicious Malaysian pineapple!

The students also took part in a community initiative with an Iban community, helping with the construction of a new longhouse, sieving sand, picking pepper, planting trees and learning about traditional cooking, crafts and ways of life. They trekked to the river, cooked lunch over an open fire and shared wonderful experiences with members of the local community.

There were plenty of adventures along the way too, from seeing an orangutan at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, to exploring caves, learning to cook local dishes, enjoying cultural performances and experiencing the Kuching Food Festival.

Perhaps most importantly, the students developed independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence. They took responsibility for managing money, time, food and group organisation, tackled challenges far outside their comfort zones and supported one another throughout.

From bucket showers and mosquito nets to rainforest treks, tropical storms, new friendships and unforgettable sunsets, this was certainly a trip they will never forget.

A huge thank you to Miss Knatchbull and Miss Bliss for giving so much of their time, energy and care to the trip, supporting the students through every challenge and helping to make this experience so special. Thank you also to Violette and all of the wonderful local guides and communities who made the journey possible.

We are incredibly proud of everything our students achieved and the way they embraced every challenge, experience and opportunity along the way.

What an adventure!

#AbbotsHillSchool #WorldChallenge #Borneo #GlobalLearning #StudentAdventure

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 18462129691141949
World Challenge: Borneo 2026! Over the summer holidays, 12 of our students from Years 9 to 11 travelled to Borneo for an unforgettable World Challenge expedition, accompanied by Miss Knatchbull, Miss Bliss and their World Challenge leader, Violette. Across 16 days, the students immersed themselves in the culture, communities and incredible landscapes of Sarawak. From exploring Kuching and local markets, to trekking through the rainforest, staying in remote communities, learning traditional skills and eating plenty of delicious Malaysian pineapple! The students also took part in a community initiative with an Iban community, helping with the construction of a new longhouse, sieving sand, picking pepper, planting trees and learning about traditional cooking, crafts and ways of life. They trekked to the river, cooked lunch over an open fire and shared wonderful experiences with members of the local community. There were plenty of adventures along the way too, from seeing an orangutan at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, to exploring caves, learning to cook local dishes, enjoying cultural performances and experiencing the Kuching Food Festival. Perhaps most importantly, the students developed independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence. They took responsibility for managing money, time, food and group organisation, tackled challenges far outside their comfort zones and supported one another throughout. From bucket showers and mosquito nets to rainforest treks, tropical storms, new friendships and unforgettable sunsets, this was certainly a trip they will never forget. A huge thank you to Miss Knatchbull and Miss Bliss for giving so much of their time, energy and care to the trip, supporting the students through every challenge and helping to make this experience so special. Thank you also to Violette and all of the wonderful local guides and communities who made the journey possible. We are incredibly proud of everything our students achieved and the way they embraced every challenge, experience and opportunity along the way. What an adventure! #AbbotsHillSchool #WorldChallenge #Borneo #GlobalLearning #StudentAdventure

Good luck, Class of 2024!
 
Tomorrow is A-Level Results Day, and we’ll be thinking of all our wonderful Class of 2024 students as they receive their results.
 
Whatever tomorrow brings, know that we are incredibly proud of you and all that you have achieved. We can’t wait to hear about all your successes and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.
 
Good luck, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
 
#ALevelResultsDay #ClassOf2024 #OnceAbbotsHillAlwaysAbbotsHill #GoodLuck #AbbotsHill

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 17941205643336799
Good luck, Class of 2024!   Tomorrow is A-Level Results Day, and we’ll be thinking of all our wonderful Class of 2024 students as they receive their results.   Whatever tomorrow brings, know that we are incredibly proud of you and all that you have achieved. We can’t wait to hear about all your successes and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.   Good luck, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!   #ALevelResultsDay #ClassOf2024 #OnceAbbotsHillAlwaysAbbotsHill #GoodLuck #AbbotsHill

What a wonderful way to round off the school year! Our Senior School Commemoration Day was a celebration of achievement, talent and the many memorable moments that have made this year so special.
 
We were delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Musharaf Asghar, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and encouraged our pupils to believe in themselves, embrace resilience and never give up on their ambitions. We also enjoyed a beautiful performance from our choir and a brilliant snippet from this year’s fantastic production of The Addams Family.
 
The presentation of cups, plates and certificates celebrated the many achievements of our pupils, while the passing of leadership roles to our new Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl marked an exciting moment for the year ahead. We also said a fond farewell to our Class of 2026, with each leaver receiving their very own Abbot’s Hill bear, a special keepsake to remind them that they will always be part of our community as they embark on their next adventures.
 
A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day such a success, from our Grounds, Music, Drama and Catering teams to all the staff and pupils who helped create such a memorable occasion.
 
Congratulations to all of our award winners, and to the Class of 2026, we wish you every success and happiness for the future. Once an Abbot’s Hill pupil, always part of the Abbot’s Hill family. 
 
#AbbotsHillSchool #CommemorationDay #ClassOf2025 #SchoolLife #EndOfTerm

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 18087537983549047
What a wonderful way to round off the school year! Our Senior School Commemoration Day was a celebration of achievement, talent and the many memorable moments that have made this year so special.   We were delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Musharaf Asghar, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and encouraged our pupils to believe in themselves, embrace resilience and never give up on their ambitions. We also enjoyed a beautiful performance from our choir and a brilliant snippet from this year’s fantastic production of The Addams Family.   The presentation of cups, plates and certificates celebrated the many achievements of our pupils, while the passing of leadership roles to our new Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl marked an exciting moment for the year ahead. We also said a fond farewell to our Class of 2026, with each leaver receiving their very own Abbot’s Hill bear, a special keepsake to remind them that they will always be part of our community as they embark on their next adventures.   A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day such a success, from our Grounds, Music, Drama and Catering teams to all the staff and pupils who helped create such a memorable occasion.   Congratulations to all of our award winners, and to the Class of 2026, we wish you every success and happiness for the future. Once an Abbot’s Hill pupil, always part of the Abbot’s Hill family.    #AbbotsHillSchool #CommemorationDay #ClassOf2025 #SchoolLife #EndOfTerm