About Us
"Busy, exciting, buzzing, happy!" Good Schools Guide
The Paragon is an independent, co-educational day school based in a beautiful Georgian house a mile from the centre of Bath. We have eight acres of our own gardens and woodland and, at our senior school Prior Park College, access to superb science, sporting, creative and academic facilities. Catering for more than 250 children aged three to 11, we offer a broad curriculum taught in small classes by teachers with a real passion for their subject. The school comprises Squirrels Pre-School, our Pre-Prep and Prep School.
Squirrels Pre-School (3 to 4 years)
Squirrels Pre-School offers a gentle introduction to school life for children aged three and four. It is run by a Norland trained nursery teacher supported by experienced nursery assistants. Children attend between three and five mornings a week and can also come in the afternoon if parents and teachers feel that your child is ready. Pre-School children participate in timetabled French, Music, Art and Games which are taught by specialist teachers. Visit our Squirrels Pre-School page to find out more.
Pre-Prep (4-7 years)
Children join our Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2) in the September after their fourth birthday. A dedicated class teacher teaches the core curriculum while French, Music and Games are taught by specialist teachers. Visit our Pre-Prep page to find out more.
Prep (7-11 years)
When they are seven in Year 3, children join our Prep department and become a member of one of our four houses - Abbey, Crescent, Holburne and Milsom. Subject divisions become more defined at this stage, with more subjects taught by specialist teachers. Over four years, we help children develop into confident independent learners, with the skills to make a happy and confident start in their senior school.
Senior School (11-18 years)
Our senior school is Prior Park College which is located a short distance away at the top of Ralph Allen Drive. Each year the majority of Year 6 pupils progress to Prior Park. Being located near to Prior Park College brings many practical benefits. It provides our children with access to superb facilities such as the indoor swimming pool, brand new all-weather pitches, athletics track, tennis courts and the Bury Sports Centre. We also use Prior Park's theatre, design and technology department, science labs and other facilities. Prior Park College teachers add their specialist knowledge to The Paragon pupils' learning, particularly for science, sport and design and technology.
Smoothing the transition to Senior School
Increasing access to Prior Park as they move up the school enables The Paragon children to become familiar with the senior school environment, ensuring a smooth transition from Year 6 to Year 7. The Paragon's curriculum is also designed for continuous progression from junior to senior school. Visit Prior Park's 11+ pages for further details.
Whilst it is hoped that the majority of our pupils will progress on to Prior Park at the end of Year 6, our holistic approach puts the needs of the pupil at the heart of every decision. In Year 5, a Future Schools Evening will give you the opportunity to find out more about what to look for in a secondary school and to discuss the best options for your child.
The Paragon and Prior Park College are part of the Prior Park Schools family along with Prior Park School in Gibraltar, a co-educational Catholic Senior School for day pupils aged 12-18.