Welcome To Highfield Priory
Independent Prep School & Nursery for children aged 2 to 11
Our School
Highfield Priory is an Independent Co-educational Day School for children from the age of two to eleven years. The school is a real haven of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city. We enjoy nine acres of grounds containing our outdoor classroom, sports pitches and specialist subject classrooms. The wealth of opportunity open to our pupils encourages an active mind, an active body and a true desire to aim high in all that they do in life.
We are very proud of our long-standing reputation as the leading Preparatory School in the North West.
Our Nursery
We welcome children from two to four years of age into our cosy home from home. Our Nursery and Preschool both enjoy our brand new, purpose-built ‘Barn’. This allows for smooth transitions throughout their Early Years, ensuring your child remains settled throughout their time at Highfield Priory.
Opened in January 2025, The Barn contains two large playrooms and a messy room, as well as a new outdoor area. The Barn also provides a customised sleeping facility for nap time, and a wet room for the children to use after their muddy forest school sessions.
Admissions
School and Nursery places are available.
Complete an enquiry form to arrange a tour and take the first step on your child’s Highfield Priory journey.
Parents
On this page you will find all the information you will need to know for your child at Highfield Priory. This information will be updated throughout the year.
Alumni
Whether you left Highfield sixty years ago or six months ago, we will always be delighted to hear from you.
Discover what makes us special at our Open Day on Sat 21st March, 11am–3pm.
Headmaster's Welcome
It is a pleasure to welcome you to Highfield Priory School and Nursery. As you explore our website, I hope it will be apparent that life at Highfield Priory is about the education of the whole person. A Highfield Priory pupil is a happy, intelligent and confident child who is aware of, and interested in, the wider world and their local community.
The school was originally created in 1937 to educate the children of local business men and women who were looking for an excellent academic environment for the education of their children. The pursuit of academic excellence, a strong work ethic and good manners continues to motivate and inspire us today.
Our National Curriculum Test results have regularly placed us in the top ten preparatory schools in England (according to The Sunday Times) and we encourage our children to ‘aim high’ in everything they do. From Maths to Music, Reading to Rugby, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) to Public Speaking, Elocution and Drama (HPSED), we aim high for each and every one of our pupils– no matter where their strengths lie.
Whilst our website will indeed offer you an insight into life at Highfield Priory, our School and Nursery really need to be seen in action. It would give me great pleasure to give you a tour of Highfield Priory during a working day. Please call the school office to arrange a time to suit you. I look forward to meeting you.
Mr Jeremy Duke
Our Aims
- To encourage all pupils to develop their full potential by stimulating their intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and imagination
- To promote excellence in academic, creative and sporting endeavours
- To teach the value of integrity and a concern for others
- To enhance pupils' appreciation of their own and other cultures
- To develop self-confidence and independence so that they are well equipped to play an active role in society
Our Ethos at Highfield Priory
Highfield Priory encourages and inspires its children to aim high in all that they do, not only with regard to academic success but also with regard to behaviour, self-respect, self-discipline and good manners.
We are committed to helping our children to prepare for their future.
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Highfield Priory Alumni
In November 2023, former pupil Madeleine White ranked 18th in the Forbes Top 50 Fashion Creators Worldwide. Madeleine evolved from a model to a social media sensation with over 5 million TikTok followers and 2 million Instagram followers. In 2023, Madeleine launched her own fashion brand, See You Tomorrow, focusing on stylish and comfortable sleepwear that is made ethically in female-owned factories. Her 2025 wedding was featured in British Vogue.
Madeleine White
Forbes Top 50 Fashion Creator
In the 23-24 season, former Highfield Priory pupil and AFC Bournemouth footballer James Hill, made his Premier League debut against West Ham United. He has since become a regular starter for Bournemouth. James has also played for Blackburn Rovers, Heart of Midlothian and Fleetwood Town. James was Fleetwood Town's youngest ever first team player and their record sale. At international level, James has represented England’s U20 and U21 teams.
James Hill
Premier League Footballer
Former pupil, Freddie Bailey, has been a Preston City Councillor since 2018. In 2019, Freddie became Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building before being appointed as Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety in May 2023.
Freddie Bailey
Cabinet Member
Former Highfield Priory head girl, Natalie Panagarry, received a bronze medal in the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool after a strong campaign, topping their group and losing to eventual winners New Zealand. Natalie has also achieved success for her club as she captained Loughborough Lightning to victory in the Netball Super League in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Natalie Panagarry
Netball Bronze Medalist
Former Highfield Priory pupil, Charlotte Rowlandson, studied Law at Oxford University. Following her studies, she built a career as a successful corporate lawyer at global firm A&O Shearman, specialising in transactions in the fintech, insurance and technology sectors. Charlotte has been recognised as a Rising Star/Leading Associate in The Legal 500 from 2020 to 2026.’
Charlotte Rowlandson
Legal Rising Star
Rachel Greenwood represented England Hockey at Under-16 and Under-18 level, earning 35 international caps between 2015 and 2018. In 2016 she was the top goal scorer for the England U16 squad. She has captained age-group teams and competed in European youth championships. Alongside her hockey success, Rachel achieved outstanding academic results. She studied Neuroscience at Harvard University, America’s oldest university. When she enrolled in 2018, she was the only student from the North of England to take up a place at Harvard University.
Rachel Greenwood
Harvard University, GB Hockey
Former Highfield Priory pupil, Henry Cameron, is a professional footballer who began his career in the Blackpool FC academy and made his senior debut for the club as a teenager. He has gone on to play in England, Ireland and New Zealand, including for Team Wellington. Cameron has represented New Zealand’s national team at senior and U‑20 levels. He earned 5 full international caps for New Zealand between 2015 and 2018, making his senior debut on 13 November 2015 in a 1–0 win over Oman.
Henry Cameron
International Footballer
Katie Hale, a former pupil, competed for Wales in the Home International Rowing Regatta on Lough Rynn in Ireland in July 2023. Katie’s team took home the Gold medal. In September 2023, Katie finished with a Silver medal in the Beach Sprints at Saundersfoot in Wales. With the Commonwealths around the corner, in 2026, Katie has set herself a personal goal of trying to make the Welsh team again and represent her country in Australia.
Katie Hale
International Rowing
Oboist and former pupil, Isabel Street, secured a place in The National Youth Orchestra, ‘the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers’. She will be joining an orchestra of teenage musicians from every corner of the UK, now including Lancashire. With The National Youth Orchestra, Isabel will be performing across the UK in some of the UK’s finest concert venues as well as helping to inspire and mentor other musicians. Isabel has been playing the oboe for 9 years, stating, ‘I couldn’t have done this without the opportunities I was provided to develop as a musician at Highfield Priory’.
Isabel Street
National Youth Orchestra
Former Pupil, Ben Riding, has represented Great Britain at Water Polo. Ben was part of the team that qualified for the European Championships in May 2018 and played in the Championships which took place in Belarus in September 2018. Great Britain were ranked 16th in Europe- the highest ranking for GB Water Polo for 10 years.
Ben Riding
Great Britain Water Polo
Former Highfield Priory Head Boy, Matthew Wright, was called up to Ireland Rugby's Under-18s squad for their game against Italy on 5th November 2022. Matthew made his debut for Ireland in Rome at the Under-18s Six Nations. Ireland secured a 43-10 victory with Matt helping to set up the last try. A fantastic achievement on what was the start of his increasingly successful international sporting career.
