King Edward’s School in Bath has confirmed plans to close and sell its pre-prep site in Weston Lane as part of a major redevelopment that will see all its primary-age pupils based at North Road by September 2027.
The King Edward’s pre-prep school on Weston Lane | Photo © Bath Echo
The school has announced a £3 million project to bring its pre-prep and junior schools together, creating a single, purpose-built school for children aged 3 to 11.
The Weston Lane pre-prep site will be formally listed for sale through Knight Frank in the coming weeks, alongside a planning and listed building consent application to support the proposed disposal of the site.
A separate planning application for the redevelopment of the North Road junior school campus will also be submitted imminently, with detailed plans for the new facilities to be shared later.
The move marks the next phase in King Edward’s School’s (KES) long history of primary and secondary education in the city. The school says the investment reflects strong demand for a King Edward’s education, following a year in which it was named South West Independent Secondary School of the Year by The Sunday Times and was a Prep School finalist in the Independent School of the Year Awards.
By uniting all 3–11 provision at North Road, KES plans to combine its early years expertise with its existing junior school offering to deliver what it describes as a “sector-leading, future-focused primary education” that “celebrates academic ambition, nurtures curiosity and supports every child to flourish”.
The junior school at the North Road site | Photo © King Edward’s School
The proposed £3m redevelopment of the Junior School site includes:
- A dedicated early years area with bright classrooms and indoor/outdoor free-flow space
- Specialised pre-prep classrooms with bespoke play areas and equipment
- A reimagined STEM hub, building on the junior school’s existing science lab and emphasising technology, art and design
- Enhanced music facilities, including a new teaching and performance centre with practice rooms
- A transformed outdoor learning area with an outdoor classroom, revitalised ponds, fire pits and den spaces
- An extended kitchen with a menu designed specifically for younger pupils
- Improved practical amenities, including new changing rooms, toilets and staff workspaces
- A new reception area to provide a welcoming and secure entrance for families and visitors
The school says the changes will give pupils a seamless journey from Nursery to Year 6, with an aligned curriculum, more specialist teaching and closer collaboration between staff.
Operating on a single site is also expected to reduce cross-city travel for families and staff, cutting traffic between Weston and North Road.
It will be the first time since the 1960s that the entire KES community has been based on one campus.
Headmaster Martin Boden said: “This development marks a defining moment in the history of King Edward’s School. By bringing our Pre-Prep and Junior Schools together at North Road, we are creating a truly outstanding environment in which young children can grow, explore and flourish.
“We move forward from a position of genuine strength, with our academic excellence, supportive and enriching environment, national recognition and continued popularity a testament to the quality of a KES education.
“This project will enhance the lives of current and future pupils, allowing them to thrive in and out of the classroom and ensuring that King Edward’s continues to set the standard for primary education in Bath.”
The combined pre-prep and junior school will be led by Sean Price, currently head of the junior school.
He said: “I am enormously excited to lead this new chapter for our primary-aged community.
“Our aim is to give children of all ages a sense of belonging and continuity on the North Road site in a purpose-built school for children aged 3-11, which will be characterised by exceptional facilities and inspirational, highly skilled specialist teaching.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape something truly special for our pupils, and I look forward to working closely with families and colleagues as we bring this vision to life.”
With the sale of the Weston Lane site and the redevelopment of North Road, King Edward’s says it is reaffirming its commitment to “providing exceptional education, exceptional care and exceptional opportunity” for pupils aged 3 to 18.
