WELCOME TO COLCHESTER PREP & HIGH SCHOOL
Over the past 140 years Colchester Prep & High School has built a reputation for providing an excellent all-round education whilst preparing pupils to be confident, balanced individuals, ready for a rapidly changing world.
Today that reputation still stands.
Our STEAM powered curriculum, combined with a global perspective and strong values, inspires children to explore, create, and innovate.
We inspire them to be the next generation of entrepreneurs, digital creatives, engineers and inventors. We believe that every child should have the self-belief to be the changemakers of tomorrow’s world.
Discover for yourself the power of a STEAM powered, future ready education.
WE ARE STEAM POWERED
FUTURE READY.
Learn more about how our STEAM Powered Future Ready curriculum is creating
the Changemakers of Tomorrow’s World.
RANKED 9TH IN THE TIMES PARENT POWER GUIDE
We are proud to announce that we have been ranked 9th in The Times Parent Power Guide for 2026, rising 11 places from last year.
The highly esteemed guide is compiled based on examination results and is published annually.
We could not be prouder to have been placed so highly in the ‘Top independent secondary schools with no sixth forms’ category.
In our 2025 GCSE results, 48.7% of grades were 7-9; the highest levels of academic achievement available (National Average 21.8%). Our recent Attainment 8 score of 60.9 places us as the top-performing non-selective co-educational school in North East Essex.
OUR NURSERY PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONAL START FOR CHILDREN FROM 2 YEARS OLD
- Specialist teaching in Modern Foreign Languages, Science and PE (plus extra-curricular clubs in Art, Cooking, STEAM Activities)
- Millie's Mark for First Aid Excellence
- EYFS funding offered for 15 hours
- Weekly outdoor learning through Forest School
- A blend of creative play and STEAM, with structured phonics and maths
READY TO EXCEL.
Our children exceed national expectations in every age group – from Early Years to excellent results at the 11+ and GCSE results.
READY TO GIVE IT YOUR ALL.
Through participation in a wide range of enrichment opportunities, we develop fulfilled, well-rounded, happy children, with the skills and resilience to become tomorrow’s leaders.
READY FOR THE UNKNOWN.
Our STEAM powered curriculum and Digital Literacy programme, includes everything from robotics and podcasting, animation to food science. Perfectly equipping our pupils to step fearlessly into the "future jobs" that have not even been invented yet.
READY TO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.
Our pupils leave Colchester Prep & High School with a strong sense of citizenship, a respect for others and an understanding of the world around them.
MEET OUR HEADTEACHER,
MS GRACIE-LANGRICK
Ms Gracie-Langrick has over 25 years experience in Independent co-education and is passionate about developing the qualities in our young people that will help them to reach their full potential and improve the world around them.
Under her leadership and guidance, the school has achieved a double excellent in the ISI Inspection; retained its status as a Microsoft Showcase School for 3 years; attained the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction in 2023; and most recently gained the ISA Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing.
“We inspire our pupils to become the changemakers of tomorrow’s world."
- Ms Gracie-Langrick, Headteacher
INSPECTIONS AND AWARDS
EXCELLENT INSPECTION REPORT 2022
We are proud to have been awarded the highest possible grade: EXCELLENT in ALL areas in our ISI Inspection.
As well as being fully compliant in every aspect of the Regulatory Compliance Inspection, it was determined that the children's academic achievement is "Excellent" and the children's personal development is "Excellent".
AWARDED MICROSOFT SHOWCASE SCHOOL
Colchester Prep & High School has been recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School, dedicated to using technology for personalised learning and school-wide transformation.
Through 1:1 devices and tools like Microsoft Teams, Office 365, and OneNote, we enhance students' experiences, ensuring their skills seamlessly apply to real-world scenarios and future projects.
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Start your child’s journey towards academic success at Colchester Prep & High School, a top-performing co-educational school where pupils are inspired to achieve their very best.
We are pleased to invite you to our upcoming Open Mornings:
Prep School Open Morning
📅 Friday 6 March | 🕤 9.30am – 11.30am
Senior School Open Morning
📅 Saturday 7 March | 🕙 10.00am – 1.00pm
Discover how our innovative, STEAM-powered curriculum achieves excellent academic results, nurtures individual talents, and develops the confidence and skills pupils need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Meet our dedicated teachers, explore our inspiring learning spaces, and see how we support every child to achieve their full potential — in and beyond the classroom.
Book your place with our Admissions Team today to avoid missing out.
📧 admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk
☎️ 01206 217 116
🌐 Book via our website
#CPHS #AcademicExcellence #STEAMEducation #FutureReady #PrepSchool #SeniorSchool #OpenMorning #JoinUs
Since the Christmas break, our Year 8 historians have been exploring the American West 🌎
They have been learning about Native American ways of life, including why the tepee was such a clever and practical home on the Great Plains.
As part of a revision activity, pupils were challenged to create their own tepees to support their understanding.
Here are a couple of shots of them creating their own model tepees👏
#CPHS #STEAMEducation #History #Year8 #SeniorSchool
Are you considering Colchester Prep & High School for Year 7 in September 2026?
New enquiries are warmly invited to join us for our Year 7 Taster Day on Thursday 5 February and experience a day in the life of a CPHS pupil ✨
Discover our STEAM-powered curriculum, explore our wide range of enrichment clubs and activities, meet our inspiring teachers, and gain a real sense of our vibrant school community.
📧 To book your place, please email: admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk
Please note: this event is open to new enquiries only. Pupils must be registered at CPHS.
#CPHS #Year7TasterDay #NewEnquiries #FuturePupils #STEAMEducation #ClubsAndActivities #SchoolLife #September2026 #SeniorSchool
Huge thank you to one of our amazing Year 4 parents and colleague for coming in to share their expertise in Dentistry with our pupils! 🦷✨
They learned all about the importance of dental hygiene through fun, hands-on activities that inspired teamwork and great discussions. Thank you also for the thoughtful little goodies to take home, they were a big hit! 😁👏
#Year4 #CommunityLearning #CPHS #STEAMEducation #HandsOnLearning Teamwork ParentPartnership LearningBeyondTheClassroom ThankYou
Marvellous Maths Reception Taster Morning ✨
Come and join us for a fun-filled Marvellous Maths Reception Taster Morning!
📅 Friday 6 February
⏰ 9.30am – 11.00am
Children will enjoy hands-on, exciting maths activities as we celebrate NSPCC’s Numbers Day — learning through play, exploration and lots of smiles! 👏🔢
• Your child does not need to be currently enrolled at CPHS
• Children must be the correct age to start Reception in September 2026
📧 To book your place, please email admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk 📞 or call 01206 217 116
#CPHS #STEAMEducation #Reception #EYFS #TasterDay #Admissions #JoinUs
Year 6 Three Year Academic Scholarships ✨
We are delighted to offer three year Academic Scholarship to outstanding Year 6 pupils excelling in English and Mathematics, starting September 2026 📚
✔️ Extend learning beyond the classroom & lead in academic excellence
✔️ Fully immerse in our Aspire Higher Programme – competitions, workshops, expert speakers & links with Senior teachers
✔️ Senior School masterclasses & enrichment
🗓️ Apply by: Friday 6 February 2026
📝 Assessment Day: Wednesday 25 February 2026
Pupils must be registered at CPHS to apply.
📩 Admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk or 📞 01206 217 116
#CPHS #STEAMEducation #Scholarship #PrepSchool #SeniorSchool #AcademicExcellence
Yesterday, our Reception pupils explored STEAM through a hands-on popcorn investigation 🌽
They examined the kernels using their senses and listened closely as they popped in the microwave, learning how heat turns water into steam and causes the kernel to burst open.
The pupils were fascinated by the sounds, the transformation, and enjoyed tasting sweet, salty or plain popcorn. Experiences like this build curiosity, vocabulary, and scientific understanding from an early age.
At CPHS, we teach STEAM subjects from Nursery, nurturing curiosity and creativity from the very start. With places available in our prep school, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk or 01206 217 116 to find out more.
#STEAMEducation #Reception #PrepSchool #CPHS #Admissions
Kitchen Science Morning – Year 3 & 4 Pupils! 🧪
We are excited to invite Year 3 and 4 pupils to a fun-filled Kitchen Science Morning on Saturday 7 February, 9.30–11.30am!
Pupils will explore the wonders of science using everyday kitchen ingredients. From fizzing chemical reactions to changes in states of matter – and even making instant ice cream – it’s a hands-on morning packed with discovery and excitement.
📍 Places are limited and offered on a first come basis
📞 Book by contacting Admissions on 01206 217 116
📧 Or email admissions@colchesterhighschool.co.uk
Open to all Year 3 and 4 pupils – feel free to invite friends! We can’t wait for an exciting morning of learning and fun 🔬💥
#KitchenScience #STEAMLearning #CuriousMinds #HandsOnLearning #CPHS
JOIN US ON A PERSONAL TOUR
We would be delighted to invite you to our wonderful school and share with you what makes Colchester Prep & High School the first choice school for so many families.
BEGIN AN
UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE
2 - 4 years old
4 - 7 years old
7 - 11 years old
11 - 16 years old