If you’re considering a private school for your child in Berkshire, Open Day events are a great way to get a much better insight than just reading the prospectus. As a prospective parent, it’s an ideal chance to see the facilities, meet the staff, ask questions and get a feel for the school culture and outlook.
Open Days are arranged at many of the best independent schools in Berkshire, usually several times a year. We’ve rounded up the next open days scheduled. If you’re just starting out, you may also want to check the list of all the best private schools in Berkshire.
If you’re close to the county border, you may also like to have a look at schools Red Kite Days’ guide to open days at the best independent schools in Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire
If you’d like to see your school featured, please contact us on hello@redkitedays.co.uk
FEATURED SCHOOL
Experience first-hand Long Close School‘s vibrant community, and envision the endless possibilities for your child’s future at their Open Week 4th – 8th March 2024.
Welcoming children 2 – 16 years, the emphasis is on a well-rounded education with its varied curriculum and rich extracurriculars.
Bradfield College
- Tours by appointment, Saturday morning term time
Brockhurst & Marlston House
- Tours by appointment
Caversham Preparatory School
- Open Morning -Saturday 24 February 2024
Cheam School
Cheam offers a uniquely complete education that nurtures and supports every pupil, encouraging the development of leadership, compassion and responsibility along with an awareness of sustainability.
- Open Morning – Friday 1 March 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 18 May 2024
See first-hand why Cheam is such a special and inspiring place for children to spend their formative years. The open mornings provide an opportunity for parents to gain a real insight into life at Cheam, to explore the 100-acre campus and most importantly to meet pupils and teaching staff.
Claires Court
- Senior Girls Open Event – Monday 11 March 2024
- Senior Boys Open Event – Friday 19 April 2024
Crosfields School
Crosfields School is a thriving day school which welcomes boys and girls from 3-16 years of age. Blending tradition with a modern approach to education prepares the children not only for their next steps but for the demands of the world into which they are going.
- Senior School Open Morning – Thursday 22 February 2024
- Junior School Open Morning – Thursday 7 March 2024
- Nursery Stay & Play – Wednesday 13 March 2024
- Nursery Stay & Play – Wednesday 15 May 2024
- Nursery Stay & Play – Wednesday 5 June 2024
Dolphin School
- Virtual meetings
Downe House
- Open Morning – Saturday 16 March 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 20 April 2024
- Day Girls Information Evening – Tuesday 30 April 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 18 May 2024
Eagle House
- Open Morning – Saturday 24 February 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
Elstree School
Set in 150 acres of stunning parkland in rural West Berkshire, Elstree welcomes boys and girls aged 3-13 years. From Year 4 onwards, pupils can choose to flexi or weekly board.
Coupled with academic ambition comes the importance of giving children a proper childhood. Creativity, teamwork and tolerance go hand in hand with a hunger and curiosity to learn and a strong will to succeed.
Open Mornings are held each term on a Saturday morning. Elstree aim for an informal, congenial occasion where visitors have a proper opportunity to look around the school, meet staff and pupils and get a really good sense of what they do. Register here.
- Open Morning – Saturday 2 March 2024
Eton End
From the very youngest children in The Nest through to the creative Pre-Prep and ambitious, industrious Prep school pupils, key themes resonate across all aspects of life at Eton End.
It is truly tangible and evident to see happy well-rounded children keen to share their success and develop their learning supported by the positive attitudes of staff in inspiring them to be independent, resilient, respectful, inclusive, collaborative learners and thinkers.
- Prospective Families Open Morning – Friday 8 March 2024
- Whole School Open Afternoon – Saturday 18 March 2024
Heathfield School
- Whole School Open Morning – Friday 15 March 2024
Hemdean House School
- Entry in Hemdean House School is possible into all year groups, throughout the academic year. While they don’t hold pre selected open days, you can arrange an appointment directly with the school for a tour.
Herries Prep School
- Private tours available
Highfield Preparatory School
- Whole School Open Morning – Friday 23 February 2024
Holme Grange School
- Open Morning – Friday 3 May 2024
Horris Hill
- Open Event – Friday 23 February 2024
Lambrook
- Individual tours by appointment
Leighton Park School
Leighton Park was founded in 1890 and is a day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 11-18 set in 65 acres of beautiful parkland in Reading.
Winner of the Best Co-educational School 2022, South East England, the approach is to support students to succeed as themselves, with the breadth and depth to thrive in life as well as in the academic arena. Student’s talents are nurtured, whatever they might be, with academic achievement the consequence of the approach rather than the object.
- Open Morning – Friday 15 March 2024
- Open Morning – Friday 10 May 2024
- Open Morning – Friday 14 June 2024
Long Close School
Long Close School has a rich history of providing exceptional academic learning as well as excellent Pastoral care, with focus and commitment to student individuality.
Traditionally, the main points of entry are Nursery, Reception, Year 3 and Year 7 however, it may be possible for children to join in other year groups too when places arise. A private tour of the school with the Admissions Registrar an upcoming open event is the perfect way to find out more about the school and answer any questions that you might have.
- Whole School Open Week – 4 to 8 March 2024
Luckley House School
- Open Morning – Wednesday 20 March 2024
- Open Evening – Thursday 13 June 2024
Ludgrove
- Private tour by appointment
LVS Ascot
Set in 25-acres of parkland, LVS Ascot is an all-ability, independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18. Our engaging teaching and co-curricular activities are designed to inspire children to exceed their expectations and teach them the skills they need to succeed in life.
Private Tours – are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- Open Day – Saturday 2 March 2024
- Open Day – Saturday 29 June 2024
- Open Day – Saturday 28 September 2024
- Open Day – Saturday 16 November 2024
Moulsford Prep School
Moulsford is a thriving and forward-thinking independent Prep School of 360 boys aged 4 – 13 years. Set in tranquil and picturesque grounds on the banks of the River Thames surrounded by the rolling hills of South Oxfordshire, the school is just 1 hour from central London.
At Moulsford, everything is tailored to how boys learn and play best. A down-to-earth, family-focussed approach embraces the fact that boys of this age should be having fun at the same time as learning, supported by a cheerful and talented teaching staff.
- Stay & Play Open Morning – Saturday 2 March 2024
- Open Day – Friday 10 May 2024
Oratory Preparatory School
The Oratory Preparatory School provides an enriched education to boys and girls aged 2 to 13. Set within 65 acres of beautiful and expansive Oxfordshire countryside, with outstanding facilities, the OPS has consistently nurtured happy and inquisitive children.
There are various ways that you can visit the school. Full Open Mornings are held in the Michaelmas (Autumn) and Lent (Spring) terms. An Open Morning is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for what The Oratory Prep School has to offer your child and to you as a family.
- Open Morning – 23 February 2024
The ethos of well-rounded, broad-minded and inclusive learning lies at the core of the school, and it can be felt within every classroom, playground and beyond from nursery to Year 8. The Oratory Preparatory School is a thriving and happy school, offering an individual learning experience which nourishes each child’s resilience, determination and self-confidence from the moment they join the school.
The Oratory
The Oratory is a unique Boarding and Day Catholic School for Boys and Girls aged 11 to 18, just outside Reading. A genuinely an all-round school that believes in nurturing pupils to achieve their very best in whatever it is they set out to do.
The next Whole School Open Morning will take place on Saturday 8 October, where you will be able to explore the facilities in their beautiful surroundings and meet staff and pupils in person.
- Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 18 May 2024
A genuinely all-round school, we believe in nurturing pupils to achieve their very best in whatever it is they set out to do. We are really proud of our broad and rich curriculum and strong exam results; however, an Oratory education is about developing young people in a much deeper sense than exam results alone can demonstrate.
Our Lady’s Preparatory School (Crowthorne)
- Open Day – tbc
Pangbourne College
Pangbourne College is a small, independent boarding and day school with a unique history and a bright future. It’s a community where you can flourish; the small size allows the school to get to know each student individually, ensuring that they are nurtured as they grow academically and socially.
The only way to experience the authentic Pangbourne is to visit and enjoy a tour of the College and speak to pupils and staff here. They will give you real insight into what Pangbourne is today. Join an Open Morning, held in Autumn and Spring, or one of the popular Head’s Breakfasts.
- Open Morning – Saturday 16 March 2024
Papplewick
- Open Morning – Friday 10 May 2024
Queen Anne’s Caversham
- Open Morning – Friday 1 March 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
Reading Blue Coat
- School Tour – Thursday 22 February 2024
- School Tour – Thursday 29 February 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
Reddam House
- Whole School Open Day – Saturday 11 May 2024
Shiplake College
Shiplake College Shiplake College is a thriving co-educational boarding and day school for pupils in Years 7-13 near Henley-on-Thames.
Having a look around and meeting our welcoming staff is the best way to find out whether Shiplake is the perfect school for you. Open events include a tour of the College, presentations and an opportunity to speak with staff. We always look forward to welcoming new families to the College, and hope visitors find the events interesting, informative and enjoyable.
- Whole School Open Event – Saturday 16 March 2024
- Whole School Open Event – Saturday 21 September 2024
St Andrew’s, Berkshire
St Andrews is a warm and welcoming school with a strong family atmosphere that nurtures happy, grounded and kind children, who are stretched, but not stressed, by the all-round education. Small class sizes and passionate staff provide personalised learning and outstanding pupil wellbeing. Children feel heard, valued and confident in their own skin.
- Spring Term Open Morning: Friday 1 March 2024
- Tree Tots: Friday 8th March 2024
- 2024 Summer Term Open Morning: Friday 10th May
St Bernard’s Preparatory School
- Open Day – Saturday 11 May 2024
- Open Day – Friday 17 May 2024
- Open Day – Saturday 28 September 2024
- Open Day – Friday 4 October 2024
St Edward’s Prep
- Reception Open Event – Tuesday 5 March 2024
- Nursery Open Event – Tuesday 12 March 2024
St Gabriel’s Newbury
- Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 2 March 2024
- Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
St George’s Ascot
- Open Morning – Tuesday 5 March 2024
- Open Morning – Friday 15 March 2024
- Open Morning – Tuesday 19 March 2024
St George’s Windsor Castle
- Open Event – Saturday 23 March 2024
- Open Event – Friday 17 May 2024
St John’s Beaumont
- Open Morning – tbc
St Joseph’s College (Reading)
- Stay & Play for pre-school children – Wednesday 17 April 2024
- Senior School Open Morning (Years 7-10) ~ Wednesday 24 April 2024
- Prep School Open Morning (The Acorn Centre – Year 6) ~ Thursday 2 May 2024
St Mary’s Ascot
- Open Morning – Saturday 9 March 2024
- Open Morning – Saturday 18 May 2024
St Mary’s Preparatory School (Henley on Thames)
St Mary’s Preparatory School is a co-ed independent prep school set in the heart of Henley. This school is a very popular choice amongst local families looking to give their children the very best start to their early education.
The best way to experience the unique atmosphere at St Mary’s Preparatory School in Henley is to visit. Just as they tailor teaching to suit each child, they do the same for visiting parents and children. You can book a personal tour any day of the week, giving you a chance to experience a normal school day.
- Open Week – Monday 26 February – Friday 1 March 2024
St Piran’s School
- Open Morning – tbc
Sunningdale School
Sunningdale School encourage families to visit individually, meet Mr Tom Dawson, the Headmaster, and to see the school for themselves
The Abbey
- Senior School & Sixth Form Open Event – Friday 23 February 2024
The King’s House School Windsor
- Open Morning – October 2024
The Marist School
- Prep Open Morning – Friday 23 February 2024
- Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
Thorngrove School
- Open Morning – Saturday 11 May 2024
Upton House School
- Virtual Open Morning – Saturday 24 February 2024
- Individual tours on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings
Waverley Preparatory School
Ranked 34th in the UK out of over 20,000 Prep and primary schools and ‘Best in Berkshire’ by The Times, Waverley is a co-educational, private school and Nursery for children aged 3 months to 11 years.
Located in a rural setting on the outskirts of Wokingham, Waverley offers exceptional academic performance combined with a warm, nurturing, family-friendly environment.
1-2-1 personal tours available with very limited final places for Reception 2023 and places being allocated for 2024 and 2025.
Wellington College
Wellington College are hoping to allow some prospective parents to visit the College in the months ahead. Please do call the Admissions Office on 01344 444 013 for the latest update regarding a potential visit.
- Visitor Day – Saturday 16 March 2024 FULL
- Visitor Day – Saturday 20 April 2024
