St Martin's School
Bournemouth, Dorset · BH3 7NA
St Martin's is a small, family-owned preparatory day school in Bournemouth serving ages 4–11 in a deliberately intimate setting. The school emphasizes a caring, happy environment underpinned by its motto 'Thorough,' positioning itself as nurturing individual confidence and academic development in equal measure. With just 88 pupils, it offers the advantages of close staff–pupil relationships and personalized attention, though it remains entirely day-only and non-selective in its intake.
- →Small, family-run environment with genuine personal attention and strong duty of care
- →Balanced philosophy that prioritizes happiness and emotional wellbeing alongside academic progress
- →Local Bournemouth location convenient for working families seeking day-only education
Who thrives here
Pupils who thrive in small, intimate settings with consistent adult relationships and who benefit from a nurturing, pressure-light academic culture. It suits families valuing pastoral care and breadth over rapid academic acceleration.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
15 Stokewood Road
Bournemouth, Dorset
BH3 7NA
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at St Martin's School?
Day fees at St Martin's School are approximately £9,600 per year (2024/25).
How do you get into St Martin's School?
St Martin's School admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+. Entry is assessed by Assessment Day, Interview. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
Is St Martin's School a boarding school?
St Martin's School is a day school in Bournemouth and does not offer boarding.
What is St Martin's School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated St Martin's School “Excellent” (2022).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Caring, family environment with strong safeguarding emphasis
✓Personal attention and individual confidence-building in intimate setting
✓Happy, relaxed ethos that prioritizes child wellbeing
Common concerns
!Very limited scale may restrict breadth of extracurricular provision and peer diversity