A leading independent prep school in Somerset, offering excellence in education for 2-13 year olds
At Perrott Hill, we celebrate the magic of books every day, but World Book Day is always memorable as children from Nursery through to Year 8 take the opportunity to celebrate their favourite book or film character.
This year, the children (and members of staff!) really excelled themselves with their creative costumes.
“This is always an important day for us,” said Head of English Mrs Byrne, “as we focus on the joy of reading.
“It supports our mission, as a department, to expose every child to positive and engaging learning experiences so that they leave Perrott Hill with a keen desire to read and write for both pleasure and study.”
We were delighted to welcome ReGenBen to school to speak to pupils, parents and friends of Perrott Hill.
Ben Taylor-Davies spoke about breaking the boundaries of farming techniques. Reducing pesticide use, improving soil health, reducing our carbon footprint, looking after the environment and producing nutrient dense high welfare food.
It was fascinating a session session with plenty of follow up questions.
You can hear Ben on Radio 4’s On your Farm speaking about regenerative farming rekindled his love of agriculture. Listen to his story: On Your Farm – Regenerating Ben – BBC Sounds
More great news just in! Saba has been awarded the prestigious Richard Hunter All-Rounder Scholarship to join Bryanston School in Year 9 in September.
This All-Rounder Scholarship is granted to students who “demonstrate the talent and personal qualities needed to make a significant and ongoing contribution to the vibrant extra-curricular life at Bryanston”.
This scholarship will see Saba actively participating in the school’s Sport, Music, Drama and Art programmes. Opportunities we know she will take full advantage of.
What a tremendous achievement. Congratulations Saba.
We were delighted to welcome former Perrott Hill parents Stephen and Annette Smallwood back to school at the end of last term.
Stephen provided a fascinating insight into the television industry when he spoke to pupils about his career as a Producer. He described the difference between film and television; explained what a Producer does and how drama gets made and supported his talk with some fantastic video clips.
His most recent work SAS Rogue Heroes is a drama about the conduct of the SAS in World War 2 during the allied invasion of Sicily and Italy. The previous series focused on the creation of the SAS in 1941 in Egypt, during the war against Italians and Germans in North Africa. Both are now available on BBC iPlayer. He also worked on The Serpent (2021) and Patrick Melrose (2018).
It was an inspiring way to end a busy half term.
This week we have received even more positive scholarship news. This time from Blundell’s.
Milly has been awarded a 13+ drama scholarship and Freddie is the recipient of the highly prestigious A V Hill Scholarship, named after the 1922 Nobel Prize winner and Old Blundellian. This is awarded to the top 13+ academic scholarship candidate.
The twins follow in the footsteps of their elder brother Henry who won a Sports Scholarship to Blundell’s in 2023.
Exceptional talent clearly runs in the family.
Book a visit with us today and discover how we can help your child thrive in an environment that fosters potential, talent, and creativity.
Congratulations to Jessica on securing a prestigious 13+ music scholarship to Taunton School.
Jessica plays an active role in music at Perrott Hill as a member of Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, String Ensemble and La Carotte Quartet!
Speaking of her success Mr Shortman, Director of Music said, “Jessica has made tremendous progress in her viola and vocal studies in the past year.
“It was lovely sending her off for the audition knowing that if I was the Head of Music assessing her, I would be thrilled to have a musician of her calibre join my department.”
We are excited to see where Jessica’s musical journey takes her next. Stay in touch Jessica, and keep up the great work.
On the 6th April 2025, Sports Graduate James Salaman will be running the Rhodes Marathon to raise money for Ducks & Drakes Cancer Trust.
“I was amazed at what an incredible and inspiring charity one family have been able to create after going through such a tough journey”, he said having heard about the work from one of the pupils here.
The charity supports young people living with bowel cancer, and provides specialist equipment, financial support and materials to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
To make a donation, please visit James’ Just Giving page. Your support is much appreciated.
We have received some more exciting news recently on the scholarship front.
Four of our senior pupils – Daisie F (sport), Evie G (sport), Louisa L (art) Jesse T-C (sport) – have secured scholarships into Year 9 at King’s School, Bruton (KSB).
Mr Wilmhurst, Headmaster at KSB spoke about the high standard of the Perrott Hill applicants, especially as this was one of the most competitive years he has know.
A tremendous achievement. Well done all.
Book a visit with us today to see how we could help your child to fulfil their potential.
Mr Finch and Mr Sheldon were delighted to be in Sandy Park stadium last weekend to see OPH Charlie McCaig make his debut for Exeter Chiefs.
A product of the club’s successful Academy set-up, Charlie started playing rugby as a six-year-old at Sidmouth RFC.
The gifted young sportsman showed great talent while here at Perrott Hill, before eventually coming onto the radar of the Chiefs through their Developing Player Programme (DPP).
The coaches liked what they saw of Charlie, and using the club’s strong links with the University of Exeter, he continued his role with Chiefs with that of studying for a degree in Liberal Arts.
We are delighted to see the progress you are making Charlie. Keep up the great work – and stay in touch.
As we celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, it’s essential to recognise that creating a happy, supportive, and nurturing environment for our children is something we prioritise all year round. While this week brings a variety of special activities, our commitment to mental health is woven into the fabric of school life.
One of the ways we promote this supportive atmosphere is through our ‘Circle of Care’, prominently displayed around the school. This ensures that every child knows there’s always someone they can turn to. The circle includes our school nurse, who also offers one-to-one nurture sessions. Using creative techniques such as music, art, games, and role play, she helps children to express themselves and work through any worries they may have.
These efforts are particularly crucial in light of the rise in mental health challenges among young people in recent years. According to a report from the Children’s Society, the number of children experiencing mental health issues has increased significantly, with 1 in 6 children aged 5 to 16 now having a diagnosable mental health condition. Post-pandemic, we’ve seen specific concerns such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and anger becoming more prevalent. This highlights the importance of early intervention and creating an environment where children feel safe and supported.
This week, we kicked off Children’s Mental Health Week with a special assembly led by our Heads of School, setting the tone for a series of mindfulness relaxation sessions, well-being drop-in sessions, and open discussions. These initiatives aim to further normalise conversations about mental health and ensure our pupils know they are not alone in their feelings.
In a world where mental health is an ever-growing concern, fostering an atmosphere where children feel valued, heard, and understood is essential not only for their happiness but for their future success. Happy children make for a happy, successful school, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.
