The Pilgrims' School
Set in Winchester, The Pilgrims' School is a small Church of England prep school for boys aged 4 to 13, with day and boarding places and around 229 pupils on roll. Its musical heart is unmistakable, with both choral and music scholarships among the routes in. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and pupils' personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. With fewer than 230 boys, families can expect a close-knit community where each child is well known.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 21 February 2023
Teaching & academics
The ISI awarded the school its top grade of excellent for the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements, a strong endorsement of teaching across the prep age range. A notably high proportion of pupils, around a quarter, receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to identifying and meeting individual learning needs. The same excellent judgement applied to personal development, pointing to careful attention to character alongside results.
Headmaster · Tim Butcher
Beyond the classroom
Music runs deep here, reflected in the choral and music scholarships on offer. On the games field boys play cricket, football, rugby, tennis, athletics and cross country, giving a broad sporting programme across the seasons.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 25.76%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
No mobile phones in school policy. Boarders only may bring a mobile to contact family at designated times. All other phones kept securely by staff.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £15,465 - £29,376
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £37,365
Means-tested bursaries sometimes available
Schools nearby
Winchester College
Winchester, South East
St Swithuns
South East
Twyford School
Winchester, South East
Prince's Mead School
Hampshire, South East
Sherborne House School
Eastleigh, South East
Brook School
Eastleigh, South East
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A small, musical Winchester prep with an excellent ISI verdict and genuine boarding life. Likely to appeal most to families drawn to choral and instrumental opportunity in a tight-knit setting.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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The Pilgrims' School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.